What was involved in removing the center (Knee buster) bar? Did you just take it off? Does it serve any purpose onter than busting knees? I have a Sol Cat 18 with a center bar and would like to remove it as well.
I left the back casting on as a foot hold. and took the front one off. You will have to put a bolt/screw through the beam straps and beam to keep the front beam from rotating. Later on, the beams were held on to the hulls by bolts in the beam to keep the beam from rotating Then the center bar was not really needed anymore to stop beam rotation.
All you have to do is put a couple of rivets through the straps on the front beam. It keeps the front beam from rotating. The say you don't have to put any in the rear beam but I did anyway. If you look at the third pix in this topic it shows the rivets. I also left the rear casting on so I can put the rear bar back and also as a foot hold.
No I don't need another one. These were in pretty good shape and then I took all the dings out of them and refinished them. Thanks for the lookout though.
Interesting. On my Sol Cat the bolts go through the beam (no Straps)which should prevent rotation. Any Sol Cat Drivers know if it is safe to remove the center bar?
If you have 3 boats to make class and there is an interest, they said they will consider a novice class. They did it last year. Look me up Sunday. Hobie 17 with reacher. "Stress Free" #007.
Beautiful boat. I just bought a 5.2 today and hope to get sailing soon with maybe just a few items to replace immediately. However, I see a total refit maybe in the winter months. I would like to stay in touch and maybe you could pass on some of that info. Great Job. Thanks.
Doug, I think you need a new picture of your boat? or is that really not your boat? I swear I click on attachments and expect to see something new but it is always that same picture that always makes me jealous.
Once you go cat you never go back!
Nacra 5.2 (Elsies)#1499, running an inter17 spin!
I'm Todd, the one with the Nacra 6.0na, Tx flag spinnaker. It was nice to meet you and your son. That's probably the record for driving for a day of sailing!!
