US1 Fountain

Not sure, but I think it tightens the joint. Otherwise only 1/2 of the gimble ring's thickness at the top is of use.
Your bolt idea sounds to easy and reasonable, so must be more to it than I see too.

vonwolske

To US1 Fountain;

Yes, good point on only half of the upper gimbal being used if the U-bolt acted as a guillotine, or more appropriately a garotte, on only the vertical shaft.
Sometimes, I don't know why designers do what they do. Certainly the strap at the nut ends of the U-bolt could have been duplicated at the loop end of the U-bolt, and thus use through bolts rather than a U-bolt. Maybe there is a lack of clearance at the closed end. Does anybody have an explanation?

WILDTHING TAZ

No You Can Not Use A Bolt!! The Back Of The Ring Is Casted For The Radius Of The U-bolt. There Is No Room To Use A Bolt. The U-bolt Radius Pulls Evenly And Is Not A Bad Hold. As Long As It Doesn't Stretch Or The Nut Strip Off. Which Only Is A Problem On Bigger Boats. Or Boats With Bigger Hp. I Have The New U-bolts Finished. I Will Post A New Thread. Ron Bender

vonwolske

Taz;
I kind of thought there must be a cast radius to accomodate the U-bolt. Thanks.

I would still think they could have had a cross strap on the back side, just like on the front side, or vice versa.

Glad you came up with a better bolt.
What is it made of, Unobtanium?

ThirdBird

[QUOTE=vonwolske]What is it made of, Unobtanium?/QUOTE]

"Unobtanium".............. Ha, thats good. I'm gonna borrow that one if you don't mind.

vonwolske

Thirdbird;
I can't claim credit for coining the word, but I use it often and if the person doesn't know much about hardware, e.g., girls, they think you are really smart.
Feel free to use it.