A true elderly moment here I've lost my toe rail screws... I know you are saying how does one lose nearly a hundred screws? It seems I've found a way and on top of that I don't remember the size. A little help for the elderly would be nice; here is another photo for your trouble.
The toe rail nearest to you is showing the inside or the side that covers the hull deck joint. The one in the background is showing the outside. The big black ugly thing at the bottom of the photo is my mast, but that is another story. The toe rails will in time get painted, as soon as the first mate comes up with a color.
Terrence
Wilmington N.C.
Chrysler 26' 1980
Pandora (for now)
Sauerleigh thanks for coming up with the size but I forgot too and I haven't taken mine out because at my age I know the same thing would probably happen getting old stinks!
I like using these new plastic coffee containers for storing small parts, the ones with handles. I think I've removed every fastener on the Maudie Kay it it makes pretty easy to keep track them. I use a stick on label to identify the contents. They also come in handy on a boat, for snacks, storage, bailing and even a emergency pee pot.
Something to think about when reinstalling the toe rail. Chances are pretty good on most C26's that plywood backing, at the hull/deck joint, has rotted away, at least in the cabin area. I replaced the plywood with oak, from the forward bulkhead all the way to the transom on both sides. That plywood gave the screws something to bight into, so if to are using a drill/driver to drive the screws home, keep the setting low, even if it means having to go back over all of them a second time to cinch them tighter. If you pull through the glass you'll have to use machine screws, washers and nuts. Also, try to find a way to support the rail as you go so its not just hanging on the first few screws.
1978 Chrysler 26 "Maudie Kay"
1984 Catalina 25 "REDUX" (rebuild)
It's better late than never
When I had my toe rails off..just prior to re installing the rails ,
I also ran 2 beads of sealant along the hull
where the upper & lower portion of the toe rails could squash it down
making a nice clean seal..after it dried I used a razor blade to clean it a up a bit...
I didnt want to take any chance of water finding its way in...
Similar problem here, but I blame the cat burglar. I mean the burglar AND the cat. I had all my fasteners and screws for wood items nicely divied up and labeled in a tool box and several other other internal devices (thankfully, not critical to the sailing operation of the boat) in my car along with tools and my canvas coverings when the burglar struck. That was last year.
This winter, all the fasteners for the external parts of the boat (like the toe-rail) and other items critical for sailing were in a similar open box, when a couple of cats decided to fight over the high perch of the filing cabinet where the box sat. Screws, fasteners, clevis, pins and the like all over the floor and down the vent. Not all recovered. But at least now covered.
The canvas of course is useless to your typical burglar and they were too torn for more use, but they were to be my pattern for my next sewing project.
Now that I've forgotten the burglar and forgiven the cats, it is time to starting putting the old Chrysler back together. Good thing I'm retiring at the end of the month. Hope the weather cooperates.
I am looking forward to a play by play and pictures of your toe rail reattachment, Terrance.
All the ribbing over my lost screws is well deserved, but here's the rest of the story. Two days after I ordered a new box of screws from the sight Sauerleigh suggested... I found the old ones. Oh well on a project of this size extra screws will always be handy. Dennyzen, photos will be coming in due time along with more question to field off other members of this forum. Lecker68 and Sauerleigh you are both right this aging thing is a pain... the best we can do is too try and do it gracefully.
Terrence
Wilmington N.C.
Chrysler 26' 1980
Pandora (for now)
now that I am getting older it can be fun sometimes when you make a mistake you can blame it on age and when the younger guys that work for you only get 1/2 of the work you do you can say you are 1/3 my age you should be able to do 3 times the work. Only they work hard not smart.
