DO NOT REMOVE THE BRIDLE WITHOUT READING THIS!
On most of the boats, the deck was fully assembled prior to mating it to the hull. The backing plates the screws fasten to are typically not permanently fastened to the deck. As a result, if you are successful removing the screws the backing plate drops to the bottom of the boat.
If you have not yet removed the fasteners, we recommend:
- Cut the old bridle off, leaving the eye strap connected to the boat
- Purchase our bridle with shackles
- Use the shackles to fasten the new bridle. The replacement bridle length is perfect, so the boat will be class legal to race.
If you have removed the fasteners and the backing plate has fallen, we recommend:
- Purchase an inspection port for your deck (Northern Lake Sailboats does not supply these)
- Use a core drill appropriately sized for the inspection port and cut the hole centered between the eye straps and between the transom and cockpit.
- Re-install the eye straps with the backing plate.
Time to go sailing!
These reference instructions represent the way we recommend servicing or maintaining your Butterfly.
If you have found a better way of performing these tasks, please let us know. We might use your ideas on future web pages.
Have FUN sailing!