Hi all, great forum. I've look back over the year and found a couple of posts on travels but nothing specific, I hope I didn't miss any if there was.

Second time I've been on here, now a boat owner for the first time with a question. I am now the happy owner of a Cavalier 28, 3 weeks ago.
I have a little bit of work to do, but enjoying the experience.
One job is to replace the mounting plate on which my mainsheet traveler track sits. Please excuse my explanation, terms, if incorrect,

It appears to be made of timber and as can be seen from the pics is in desperate need of replacement.





Any thoughts on what the timber could or shoud be? Shoud I keep this method or maybe change/replace the track and this base with an "I" beam track. The only possible problem is the height of beam track is less than the total of the existing base and current track thickness.

Thanks in advance.
Cheers

bad link try again

Your traveller track appears to be mounted on a length of some sort of high density plastic/foam and I think I can see the remnants of the glossy finish it would have had along the base of the track, but it most likely broke down in the UV light. I can't see any striations or grain to indicate it being wood. I'd replace it, if it needs replacing, with teak if you can find it, otherwise any hardwood decking timber is fine. If a kwila deck can survive the elements for decades, it'll do the trick for your traveller, especially if you oil it.

Congratulations on your purchase by the way. The Cav 28 is a really nice boat. Is yours the one I saw advertised with a near new Yanmar diesel? My dad had a Davidson 28 in NZ which is what the Cav 28 is based on, but the local version had a more professional interior fitout with a moulded liner. The NZ boats had very rough ameturish interiors, and the head was forward of the saloon.

Soapy, it could be timber, but as Ashley says, maybe something else. When I looked at it in the flesh, it looked like old timber to me.

Only way to attack it is to pull it out and have a good look at it once removed. Teak is easy to come by, Sydney Wood in Mona Vale will be able to sell you a small piece. Take detailed measurements of the height, width and depth and they'll even cut it for you. Or, I can help you with tools, cos I know you don't have anything much in your little shed...... yet........Keep it oiled, or varnished, or just let it go silver.

Another alternative would be getting a good piece of Aluminium Billet made up, same dimensions, just bolt it in place and forget about it.

Most important part is using a good sealant before putting it back on, as this might be one source of the water on the Starboard bunk......

Ashley, thanks your reply. Interesting, I hadn't thought about a form of plastic or foam, could be. I will replace the track mount, I don't think it'll last too long under any form of repeated load.

Thanks I'm very happy with the Cavalier looking forward to warmer weather and longer days. She's an 87 model with a 10hp Bukh, I think it may have been reconditioned at some stage but I don't think too recently, but it goes okay. Due for a service very soon.

Thanks Michael for your thoughts, I will probably take you up on your offer. I don't have much of anything tool wise suitable anymore. Billet sounds the go, set and forget.

The track mount sits in a recess so measurement will have to exact what ever I use. I think this is and hope it is the source of the leak, there is green mould in the corners on the starboard side.

Cheers

Another choice is boat trailer rubbing strip, that blue plastic stuff aluminium boats are dragged up.