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Catalina/Capri 25/250 Sailor's Forums

General Sailing Forum

Drilling holes in fiberglass (part II)

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Bruce Baker
Captain

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USA
402 Posts

Initially Posted - 05/24/2005 : 12:04:03

When I have mounted hardware on my boat's deck in the past, I've drilled my holes, put of marine sealant around the hardward, and tightened the bolts. That' it.

Now a friend of mine told me that he drills his holes, digs out a chunk of core with a coathanger, fills the hole with epoxy, and then drills a new hole through the epoxy. That way, there's no core exposed.

Is that the proper way to mount hardware, or is it overkill?

Thanks,

Bruce Baker
Falls Church, VA
"Yee Ha" 3573
'83SR/SK

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John G-
Admiral

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793 Posts

Response Posted - 05/24/2005 : 12:54:07

<font size="2"> <font face="Comic Sans MS">
Bruce,
It’s pretty standard practice in most yards. One tip I got from the guys in the yard that do this a lot is to take an Allen key and grind the bent over end into a sharp point, then you can put it in a drill to dig out some of the core. Then tape the hole from the bottom and fill with epoxy. When you drill the new smaller hole it will effectively have an epoxy bushing to protect the core from moisture.
I just did it on a new stanchion and bow roller.
Also Ben clued me into taping the area you are going to drill so you don’t splinter the gel coat.
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Frank Hopper
Past Commodore

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Pitcairn Island
6776 Posts

Response Posted - 05/24/2005 : 13:08:59

I think a lot depends on where you sail. My dealer has never done anything but drill squeeze and tighten and I have never heard of any issues from the hundreds of boats he has commissioned. I do the quick and easy as well and have never had any issues on my four boats. HOWEVER! In Kansas we have baking heat for an entire summer and we cover our boats all winter.

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Sloop Smitten
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1181 Posts

Response Posted - 05/24/2005 : 13:40:19

Bruce,
That's how Don Casey describes it. It all depends on the shape of the core. If it was in good shape you probably wouldn't be resetting hardware anyway.
http://www.boatus.com/boattech/casey/39.htm

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Ben
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1234 Posts

Response Posted - 05/24/2005 : 14:53:44

Hi Bruce, I didn't grind out any core material when I mounted my bow roller. I simply drilled the holes with an oversized drill bit, filled with epoxy, and then tapped the smaller drill holes through the epoxy to hopefully seal the wood core. I like the idea of the allan wrench though.

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Rich G
Navigator

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226 Posts

Response Posted - 05/24/2005 : 18:22:01

You can also cut the head off of a nail and bend it 90 degrees and stick that in your drill.

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Notice: The advice given on this site is based upon individual or quoted experience, yours may differ.
The Officers, Staff and members of this site only provide information based upon the concept that anyone utilizing this information does so at their own risk and holds harmless all contributors to this site.