At 11:31 AM 6/12/2015, you wrote: >A couple of other builders were looking >at what I was doing and both recommended that I use a marine varnish on the >bolts before I put them through the spars +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
I'm with Mark on this one. Use epoxy. I'd suggest that once the holes are drilled, lay the spar on it's side, tape the bottom holes shut, and pour the holes full of epoxy. Keep them full for 5 or 10 minutes to allow as much epoxy as possible to soak into the wood. At the point the epoxy starts to get tacky, remove the tape and attach at least one fitting with the bolts inserted completely through the holes. That should make the hole moisture proof and allow the epoxy to cure in contact with the bolt resulting in zero slop in the bolt hole. It wouldn't hurt to epoxy the fitting to wood contact surfaces also as they are installed. I'm guessing you might thin the epoxy a bit also if it seems too thick for good penetration but I wouldn't overdue the thinning part. Use a thin piece of safety wire or similar to help break the air bubble and let the thick epoxy fill the hole. As always........... Larry Flesner
