Bonding Hull and Deck

[sponge]

What is the best method to bond deck and hull.
There are alot of old holes where it looks like many
rub rail have been installed over the years.
Its loose all around the boat.

Thanks guys

[3rdday]

If it is an overlaping "shoebox fit" use a methylmethacrylate adhesive, no prepwork, it will chemically and mechanically bond the two substrates the fiberglass will fail before the adhesive fails, resulting in fiber tear.
I riveted My rubrail through the hull & Cap with long aluminum shank and mandrel, do not use rivets with disimilar metals

[McGillicuddy]

Got a particular commercially available product name for that?

[fdheld34]

Is it a two part flexible epoxy?? like marinetex makes??? I would be interested to know as well.... being that I too need to replace rubrail eventually and have numerous screw holes??

[mnwnvc]

I ground both surfaces and used 3-M 5200 and aluminum rivets. Then I screwed the rub rail and stainless insert through both layers.

[Trayder]

Got a particular commercially available product name for that?

I am not for or against it but since you asked a commercial product would be:


Plexus: http://www.itwplexus.com/home.html

[McGillicuddy]

Thanks, Trayder.
Great site.

[strick]

What is the best method to bond deck and hull.

Fiberglass

strick

[Islandtrader]

The original 21 is riveted and then FG taped. No where after 40 years did it pull apart.

Not saying this is the best, just a fact

[3rdday]

My 21 is also riveted and glassed just like Terrys, again no separation or delamination after 40+ yrs.

My business is structural adhesives, bonding dissimilar substrates, and difficult to bond applications.I consult with OEMs and Mfg on assembly challenges.

Here is the process if you wast the absolute best possible joint integrity;
Use the Methacrylate adhesive in the hull to deck joint, it will be a more successful adhesive than polyester, vinylester, epoxy, polyurethane(3M5200,Sika,Boatlife, Bostik etc.) MMAs will handle 1000s X more fatigue cycles. Glass the joint with FG tape and epoxy, then rivet.
Do This only if you plan on never removing the deck from the hull.
Additionally before you rivet you could "back" the joint with a 1/4 aluminum strip, and rivet through that.