Hi all,
Shrouds and bob stay attach to the mast and bowsprit respectively at pad eyes which are themselves through-bolted where appropriate per the plans. What is the trick in drilling these holes such that they are spaced appropriately for the pad eyes on each side of the spar? It's easy to drill the two holes properly spaced on one side of the spar, but as the bit exits the spar on the other side, these holes must also accept a pad eye. Keeping the drill bit exactly perpendicular to the spar's surface would be ideal but doesn't work well in (my) practice. Drilling the holes with a drill press would work too - except the spars are unmanageably long for any drill press to which I have access.
How have other builders approached this?
Thanks,
Mark