'71 Seafari 20 Rebuild

[Locke N Load]

I have seen how a board of some type can be adhered to the hull and then screwed into rather than going directly into the hull. Anything from a transducer to a bilge pump to a battery charger. My only concern is the screw. How secure is a screw into G10, Starboard or Coosa? Wood I get has good holding power, but I am using zero percent wood in this rebuild. I'd rather bolt things in place and not have to worry about it.

The issue then becomes getting to the back of the bolt for the washer and nut. Going through a stringer where there is access on both sides works. But the box for the helm is different. I do not want to see bolt heads sticking out everywhere. My solution is making up a bunch of I shaped glass beams. Maybe two inches tall and two inches wide. Tall enough to get behind with a wrench to tighten the nut and wide enough for the bolt to go through and have material supporting it. Glass the bottom of the I-beam to the panel and then bolt whatever item to the top. Two beams per item. Maybe even help with cooling electronics since there will be airflow underneath?

I will be testing my theory soon enough and will report back. Could be a total failure or a waste of time, but only one way to find out.

[wattaway2]

Originally Posted by Locke N Load

I have seen how a board of some type can be adhered to the hull and then screwed into rather than going directly into the hull. Anything from a transducer to a bilge pump to a battery charger. My only concern is the screw. How secure is a screw into G10, Starboard or Coosa? Wood I get has good holding power, but I am using zero percent wood in this rebuild. I'd rather bolt things in place and not have to worry about it.

The issue then becomes getting to the back of the bolt for the washer and nut. Going through a stringer where there is access on both sides works. But the box for the helm is different. I do not want to see bolt heads sticking out everywhere. My solution is making up a bunch of I shaped glass beams. Maybe two inches tall and two inches wide. Tall enough to get behind with a wrench to tighten the nut and wide enough for the bolt to go through and have material supporting it. Glass the bottom of the I-beam to the panel and then bolt whatever item to the top. Two beams per item. Maybe even help with cooling electronics since there will be airflow underneath?
Yard sales were a great source for the old rods

I will be testing my theory soon enough and will report back. Could be a total failure or a waste of time, but only one way to find out.

If you thru bolt thru the stringer you could try what I did using old fishing poles to cut spacers large enough for your bolt then epoxy them thru holes drilled large enough to slide into the stringer . This stops the compression of the stringer and keeps water from getting to the foam inside the stringer

[Locke N Load]

Originally Posted by wattaway2

If you thru bolt thru the stringer you could try what I did using old fishing poles to cut spacers large enough for your bolt then epoxy them thru holes drilled large enough to slide into the stringer . This stops the compression of the stringer and keeps water from getting to the foam inside the stringer

I like the idea. My plan is to make the tubes myself by wrapping glass around a slightly tapered mandrel, but I will have to check the basement for any old rods I will never use again. Thabks