fasteners storage behind seats centaur

[ltGruber]

Hi,
Our centaur from 1977 has brass fastners (is that the proper term?) that hold the backrest up.
The part that was connected to the seat has been broken. Does anyone know where to find a replacement? I couldn't find one at the website of trafalgar yacht services. Instructions on how to replace it would also be very welcome.

[TyroSailor]

I have these too.

Try 'phoning Caroline Hardy at Trafalgar as she may know where to get one. 01329 823577

If you can't find a direct replacement, maybe a hasp (as in hasp and staple for a padlock) would do the trick? On mine, replacement is simply a case of undoing two screws into the seat-back, but yours, of course, may differ.

[ltGruber]

Thank you. I'll try Caroline.
On our centaur, replacing will probably also just mean undoing two screws but i'm not sure because the part that the hasp like item i photographed is hidden under the upholstery.

[TyroSailor]

David and Caroline are away, and the shop is shut, until next week - I tried to phone them earlier today.

[Hillary]

Option 1. If its Bronze it will silver-solder back together. Hard Silver solder, done properly, will be as strong as the original part.
Option 2. CAD and 3D print a replacement part in ABS type plastic
Option 3. CAD and Cast a replacement in Bronze

[TrafalgarYachts]

I have been asked many times for these hinges, but have never found a source. Hillary's options sound like the way to go.
Caroline

[Hillary]

Hi Caroline,

There is one more option - If some kind soul can remove an intact one or has a broken hinge that has no missing parts then I could make a silicon mould from it and cast bronze replacements using traditional lost wax casting techniques. This would be cheaper than 3D print and cast which is expensive and time consuming but for some complex parts its the only way to go.

If I was able to make a silicon mould from an existing one then I will be able to cast the hinges to order which might help a few folk

Hillary

[TyroSailor]

I can probably lend you one of mine at some point.

[Hillary]

That would be good. Don't need it for very long. The Silicone moulds only take a couple of hours. Its a heat process around 70 degrees Celsius so no risk to the fitting and so I could give it back to you the same day. Then if anyone needs a fitting we can make them. So in your case Steve it would be an insurance policy.

[TyroSailor]

Well - when we finally get together...