Ok so when you are drilling pilot holes to mount say a cleat or light holder or even a fish finder, do you squeeze or force some silicone or sealant into the hole before you screw in the screw or bolt? Is there a type or brand that you suggest? Maybe even drip some polyurethane in the hole prior?
Fishing Nerd
“you win some, you lose some…but nothing beats getting some!”
I first drill the hole out over sized and fill it with thickened epoxy. Let it cure then re-drill to final size. Use a little 4200 on the base and screws/bolts.
Capt. Larry Teuton
Cracker Built Custom Boats
“Ships are the nearest things to dreams that hands have ever made.” -Robert N. Rose
Thanks Larry! Any particular epoxy? Would the 5 min stuff with a high PSI rating be ok?
Fishing Nerd
“you win some, you lose some…but nothing beats getting some!”
I’m not sure about the 5 minute stuff, I’ve never used it. I use a marine epoxy thickened with wood flour. In any case you want the plywood core completely sealed and isolated from the screw or bolt threads. It should look something like this…
Capt. Larry Teuton
Cracker Built Custom Boats
“Ships are the nearest things to dreams that hands have ever made.” -Robert N. Rose
Thanks again Larry! Ok 2 more for now…you do this same style for bolt thru applications as well as screw, correct? And what about when your not going completely thru just into, as in a screw in the back of the transom to hold a transducer?
Fishing Nerd
“you win some, you lose some…but nothing beats getting some!”
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you do this same style for bolt thru applications as well as screw, correct?
Yes.
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what about when your not going completely thru just into, as in a screw in the back of the transom to hold a transducer?
I drill an over sized hole about an inch deep, usually twice the diameter of the fastener, fill it with thickened epoxy, a syringe works good, stick a piece of tape over it so the epoxy can’t run out. Let it cure then drill a pilot hole for the screw. Never put a screw directly into a wood core, or a foam core. It’s just asking for trouble later down the river.
Capt. Larry Teuton
Cracker Built Custom Boats
“Ships are the nearest things to dreams that hands have ever made.” -Robert N. Rose
quote:
Never put a screw directly into a wood core, or a foam core. It's just asking for trouble later down the river.
Words of wisdom right there. Wish I knew that back when.
“Apathy is the Glove into Which Evil Slips It’s Hand”.
Thank you sir! Appreciated!
Fishing Nerd
“you win some, you lose some…but nothing beats getting some!”
You’re welcome 
Do it right. Don’t ruin your boat, too many are killed by letting water get into the core. Often beginning at the dealership who does the final rigging. Some are good, some aren’t. More often they are ruined by owners adding accessories.
Capt. Larry Teuton
Cracker Built Custom Boats
“Ships are the nearest things to dreams that hands have ever made.” -Robert N. Rose
Great info, thanks Larry!
2000 SeaPro 180CC w/ Yammy 115 2 stroke
1966 13’ Boston Whaler w/ Merc 25 4 stroke “Flatty”
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President, Summerville Saltwater Anglers
Now you tell me! Right after I drilled a 2 1/2 inch hole in my deck for a new pedestal seat base! I think I’m OK though, as it’s a solid fiberglass deck! What say you, Cracker?
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Right after I drilled a 2 1/2 inch hole in my deck for a new pedestal seat base!
I don’t think I’ve ever seen a solid fiberglass deck:question: If so, no worries. I’d put a backing block under it though and distribute the forces. Pedestals have a lot of leverage working on them. This is a pedestal base on one I’m building now. The deck has a 3/8 mahogany core, with another layer of 3/4 glued under it to support the pedestal. The mounting bolt holes are 5/16, but I drill the holes to 1/2" and fill with epoxy, sand flush and re-drill to 1/4. The center hole is 2 1/2 like yours. Also epoxy filled. Not sanded flush or re-drilled yet in this picture. Holes are covered underneath with duct tape to contain the epoxy fill.
Capt. Larry Teuton
Cracker Built Custom Boats
“Ships are the nearest things to dreams that hands have ever made.” -Robert N. Rose
Thanks Cracker! I can’t really say it’s solid fiberglass, under the non skid gel-coat! It’s some sort of black stuff, like a composite maybe, The only thing under it is a storage locker/box. I’m mounting it with SS 5’16 inch machine screws and have 1/8X2 inch flat stock aluminum for backing under the deck with 7/8 flat washers and Nylock nuts. Think that will work?
Almost ready to paint now. I’ve drilled little pilot holes where all the bolts go. Same with the all the rod holders, all 12 of them, and 6 hawse pipes, and cleats, and cup holders, and vents, and hatches and lifting rings and trim tabs and jack plate mounts and drain tubes…
Every hole in this boat is sealed as I described. It will never rot, unless somebody starts drilling more holes in it when I ain’t looking
Capt. Larry Teuton
Cracker Built Custom Boats
“Ships are the nearest things to dreams that hands have ever made.” -Robert N. Rose
How do you get it on a trailer:question:
PS: You do nice work Cracker! I appreciate skill!
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How do you get it on a trailer?
I’ve got 2 chain hoists and 2 come alongs hanging over it. I’ll just pick it up, pull out the building platform with the truck and back the trailer under it. Nothing to it.
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PS: You do nice work Cracker!
Thank you
Capt. Larry Teuton
Cracker Built Custom Boats
“Ships are the nearest things to dreams that hands have ever made.” -Robert N. Rose
What boat is that?? Or plans if you built it?? Looks good! For epoxy I like the West system with mixing nozzle; 610 I think.
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You do nice work Cracker! I appreciate skill!
You have no idea. It is one of those things you have to see in person to really appreciate how beautiful it is and will be when finished. I hope I can see it when it is finished, before it gets shipped off.
“Apathy is the Glove into Which Evil Slips It’s Hand”.
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What boat is that?? Or plans if you built it??
Thanks. Yes, I built it from scratch. The hull is a Jacques Mertens designed GF18 with a lot of modifications. Link to plans http://www.bateau.com/proddetail.php?prod=GF18
Capt. Larry Teuton
Cracker Built Custom Boats
“Ships are the nearest things to dreams that hands have ever made.” -Robert N. Rose
Appreciate it DF. I was going to finish painting it today but the love bugs have moved in thick. Have to wait a few days I guess.
Capt. Larry Teuton
Cracker Built Custom Boats
“Ships are the nearest things to dreams that hands have ever made.” -Robert N. Rose