What ideas do people have for drilling <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif" alt="" /> out the bows of my mozzie for a spi?
(boyer built "Top Gun")

Easy sell me Top Gun and buy a boat with the holes already made in them (fay hulls) <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

William

On my wooden mossie, I made sure the holes would go through the stringer. Also I cut some short stainless tube and expoxied them into the holes. The tube is just big enough to take 2 mm Dyneema and I place a large washer on the outside to spread the strain. I tie a loop on the inside near the bow and then tie from the spinnaker pole to the loop. That way I can untie it and even untie the loop to completely remove everything. Without the stainless tube it started to chafe the hole bigger. It came undone once when I didn't tie a proper knot. 2 mm Dyneema strong enough up to 20 knots so far!

2mm !!!

If you use 4mm you can do it like this


and still be able to undo the knots easily (that's a figure of eight knot even though it doesn't look like it). Doing it this way means you only need a 4mm hole. The loop-and-knot method means you don't have to untie knots but the hole has to be twice the size. I've never had a problem undoing the knots.

As far as the drilling goes you can tap around to see if it feels solid where you are going to drill. If you go through foam or you can see open space inside the hole you can always fill the gaps with a bit of epoxy.

Putting a bit of tube (plastic or steel) will finish it off nicely but is optional.

Ah Tim, I knew you'd remember! Pity no-one got a picture of me hanging over the bow trying to tie it back together. I must be a bit stubborn but yes 4 mm is safer and easier.

Just wondering how far back & down from the point of the hulls have people drilled holes?
And use a 5-6mm drill <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif" alt="" />

Hi Ben

The one in the photo is 45mm back from the tip and 15mm down from the deck. Do run some epoxy round the inside of the hole or put a tube in as others have done, if only to keep water out of the foam (if there is any foam in that part of your boat).

If you are using 4mm rope then a 4mm hole is all you need.

I use a 15mm washer on the outside to spread the load but it depends what is under the skin. If it's foam then it can be deformed by the pressure of the knot. If it's glass or filler the washer wouldn't be necessary.