Nuts Missing on Mainsheet Winch

[jking]

There are no nuts or washers on the bottom of my mainsheet winch starboard side. Did they forget to install them or is there a hidden backplate in the fibreglass? I just noticed this while cleaning the locker. #303 Jan

[wolfe10]

Can't answer the "is there an imbedded plate that was tapped, but were it mine, I would sure put SS fender washers and nylock nuts or fender washers, lock washers and regular nuts on them.

What about the installation of the winch on the other side?

[leigh weiss]

I asked the dealer when I got my boat about the same thing. He contacted Catalina and they said there is a backing plate that is tapped for the mounting of the winch.
I don' know the dimensions of the plate or the exact location, but it would be nice to find out. '

[wolfe10]

Let me state it a little differently: I can not think of any reason NOT to install washers and nuts!

Worse case it is $2 of overkill.

[leigh weiss]

Good thought.
I will get on it ASAP, Well worth the insurance!!!

[wolfe10]

Giving the "how to" a little more thought, and wanting to not have to disassemble the winch to access the top of the bolts and also not wanting to break loose the caulking around the bolts:

Use a fender washer, then lock washer, then regular nut (all SS).

Hand tighten the above. Then thread on two extra (temporary) nuts= double nuts. Use that to keep the bolt from rotating while tightening the nut. Cost-- two extra nuts total.