I have spend a lot of time thinking about deck fittings. Initially I wanted to use anodized aluminum, but it was too sensitive to scratches and subsequent corrosion. Therefore I decided to go with stainless steel. Note that there are many grades and one of the best for our application is 316 stainless steel. I have the option to use a machineshop and can make a lot of neat things. In order to keep the weight down, I make the fitting quite small and from the top surface you will only see very little.

Andreas

: Some time back grant goltz showed us an approach to making some new fittings.
: http://www.squeedunk.com/deck.htm

: And eric schade has done the same.
: http://www.kayakforum.com/cgi-bin/Building/index.cgi?read=40044

: And while I have always had a soft spot for eric’s all wood fitting , but
: have suspicions abt it’s strength,
: I wondered abt combining the 2 approaches to get a stronger (eric’s) fitting.

: Here’s a couple of dwgs I did (after grant's post) during the summer (I can
: now get pics up) showing an approach.

: The idea is to epoxy up a bunch of thin lams of wood and satin cloth, cut out
: r some holes, cut out, epoxy on a base(glassed) and pull it thru the yak
: to seat flush to the surface. Maybe play with a little crowning.

: Dwg1 shows usage of various templates and alternate similar fittings of pairs
: or quads. Round out the inside so a threaded line will tend to pop back
: out. Play with orientation, but diag may be best.

: -mick