After hearing the pros and cons and reading Ted Dickson's account of the NACR, I've decided to try a mid-boom traveler set up on my "stock" DS1. After much head-scratching and catalog reading, I've bought the Harken components (which weren't cheap) and I think it will work pretty well. But I am hoping for a few pointers on installation.
First-- for the new swivel base, the mounting holes don't line up with the stock pattern on the centerboard housing. There appears to be a metal plate into which the existing screws are threaded. Can I drill and tap the new screws, or is it better to through-bolt?
Second-- I have a stock Dwyer boom with a riveted attachment point for the mainsheet block. Now that I'm moving to mid-boom is this attachment point going to handle the additional load?
Regards,
Wyatt