Installing new traveler track

A30_John · Post by **A30_John** » Wed Jun 06, 2007 9:13 pm

I'm getting ready to install my new Garhauer MT1 traveler. Garhauer prebent the track to fit my deck and it fits very well. I'm wondering if I should put anything other than sealant between the track and the fiberglass. The previous track had a strip of 1/4" plywood between it and the fiberglass.

Post by **dasein668** » Wed Jun 06, 2007 9:19 pm

If you have a good fit, I would just use sealant, myself. I had to build a fairing block since I didn't get mine built, but otherwise I wouldn't have used any wood.

I think you'll like that Garhauer traveller. They build nice hardware!

Post by **Tim** » Thu Jun 07, 2007 6:13 am

I see no reason to use wood between the hardware and the deck, assuming you don't need a fairing block.

Quetzalsailor · Post by **Quetzalsailor** » Thu Jun 07, 2007 12:57 pm

The only reason to use wood is the sex appeal. In which case, you'd use enough teak to be worth the visual, and then you'd get to maintain it. The old/original 1/4" plywood sounds like a waste.

A30_John · Post by **A30_John** » Thu Jun 07, 2007 4:54 pm

Excellent, thanks. It's a very nice piece of gear - I'm impressed with the quality of construction. I'm looking forward to trying it out soon.

A30_John · Post by **A30_John** » Thu Jun 07, 2007 4:58 pm

The old/original 1/4" plywood sounds like a waste.

I thought that as well. The old track was flexible enough to make the bend without difficulty and wasn't used for fairing purposes. I couldn't figure out why they used it unless it was to protect the gelcoat or some such reason.

AJ · Post by AJ » Fri Jun 08, 2007 10:35 pm

Be sure to post pictures of your new setup, John!

This thread reminded me of a few questions I've been meaning to ask about traveler installation. When you mount a traveler on a fairing block is it considered good practice to also have a backing plate below the deck in the lazarette or is simply using large washers with the bolts considered sufficient? And should any fairing block for the track be bedded in a compound with some adhesive properties like 5200, or is the bedding simply to keep water from getting beneath the wood?

I ask because I'm planning on installing a traveller on a fairing blockand would prefer not to bed it in some compound that will make it impossible to remove in one piece when I get around to refinishing the decks in a year or so.

AJ

A30_John · Post by **A30_John** » Sat Jun 09, 2007 12:48 pm

AJ, My track will be held on by 1/4" machine screws (12 of them) and I'm planning to use fender washers to back them. The track that I'm replacing used smaller machine screws and regular washers to back them. There were no problems evident with that arrangement. I'm considering tapping the holes to take the screw threads, but it's probably not necessary.

As with any deck hardware, I would not use 5200 to bed the track or fairing block for fear of damaging the gel coat or fiberglass when it inevitably needs to be taken off.

I will be bedding my track with LifeCaulk. Hope this helps..

Hirilondë · Post by **Hirilondë** » Sat Jun 09, 2007 4:30 pm

Mine is installed exactly as John describes and with the exact same materials. I do however prefer Sikaflex, especially if using white, but Lifecaulk is a good product.

Post by **dasein668** » Sat Jun 09, 2007 4:56 pm

I installed mine with 3M 101, tapped fasteners, and fender washers.

AJ · Post by AJ » Sun Jun 10, 2007 7:14 pm

Thanks for the information, guys!

I'll follow your lead and use fender washers then. When I pulled up the old traveler last fall it was bedded in 5200 and suffice to say removal wasn't pleasant! The 5200 is still there on the cockpit seats, but I've since learned of Debond 2000, have ordered some, and hopefully it'll take care of the remainder of that stuff once and for all.

AJ