Thanks everyone to the comments,

If I am considering a wooden pipe, I would like to keep the hole as small as possible. I think that the hole doesn't really need to be bigger that 9/32 (enough for a 1/4" rope). The wall thickness should be ok with 1/8". This allows to put in a 1/16" radius where the rope exits. I would choose a mohagony for the tube. The tube would be supported along its full lengths by a block glued into the sterns and bow.

The tube as discribed here is way smaller then the 7/8" tube with a 1-1/4" hole in the boat. Any comments.

How is the inside of the tube sealed (several layer of epoxies - no glass?)? I presume that most people insert it after glassing the entire boat. Do you use an additional layer on the outside to strengthen the joint between the hull and wodden pipe and avoid future cracking?

Andreas

: Hi everyone,

: I am not sure if I should add U-bolts to the deck (bow and stern). The
: compelling reasons are: 1. Safer transport on the car
: 2. Possibility of being towed if I get injured
: 3. Securing the boat on the narrow beaches where a chance exist that the high
: tide +wave may reach the boat (Murphy is always at work)

: I really hate the idea putting anything which is not needed on the deck. I
: like the clean lines (by the way I build a Return with the pattern shown
: on Joe's web site). I would only consider the smallest 316 stainless
: u-bolt- suitable to just fit a 1/4" line through it.

: Any comments are welcome.

: Andreas