Jud - s/v Sputnik
Super Anarchist
After stumbling across this engrossing thread in Fix-It Anarchy on how to engineer the laminate schedule on the inside quarters of a boat to take the potentially significant loads on the mounting points of a Jordan Series Drogue, I’m wondering about how to determine the (theoretical) strength of an existing structure - the likely potential JSD mounting points on my boat. That thread is all about questioning the “well, it looks pretty strong and it probably is” approach others have taken when bolting beefy stainless plates on the stern quarters of their boats to attach a JSD to - and instead asking, “how do you actually KNOW it’s strong enough, and what should I do to make mine strong enough in terms of beefing up the laminate schedule inside?”
In that thread, @estarzingerdescribes how aluminum Hawk was built with specifically engineered, reinforced points on the transom for a JSD attachment.
With a steel hull, mine, how to determine the theoretical strength of welded deck fittings? Specifically my stern cleats and chocks - obvious places to attach a JSD. Presumably, if one knew the materials involved and other relevant details, this would be a simple matter for a trained engineer to determine - i.e, weld strength?
Secondly, assuming the stern cleats and chocks are stout enough, presumably it would make sense to devise an attachment system that would use both fittings, cleat and chock, to spread the loads? (Sorry, the pictures aren’t great.)
In that thread, @estarzingerdescribes how aluminum Hawk was built with specifically engineered, reinforced points on the transom for a JSD attachment.
With a steel hull, mine, how to determine the theoretical strength of welded deck fittings? Specifically my stern cleats and chocks - obvious places to attach a JSD. Presumably, if one knew the materials involved and other relevant details, this would be a simple matter for a trained engineer to determine - i.e, weld strength?
Secondly, assuming the stern cleats and chocks are stout enough, presumably it would make sense to devise an attachment system that would use both fittings, cleat and chock, to spread the loads? (Sorry, the pictures aren’t great.)


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