Need material and attachment advice

[bkwapisz]

My little Ranger boat has a formed fiberglass console. On the inside of the front portion, I want to attach a flat piece of material (marine plywood or starboard) so I can screw things to it, such as my battery charger and other items. I'd like to know what those of you who have worked with these vairous materials would suggest as a) a material to use for the board, and b) what adhesive to attach the board to the inside of the console. The material thickness of the console is rather thin and I would like to avoid any visible fasteners from the outside of the console. I'll attach what pics I have of the console. The inside finish is rather rough unfinished fiberglass that at one time had some boat carpet apparently attached to it so the current finish looks like rough fiberglass with old carpet glue stuck to it. I was thinking of maybe using some marine ply with a copious dose of construction adhesive but wanted some direction before I proceed.

Thanks for any advice.

Brian.

 

[86RajunCajun]

Re: Need material and attachment advice

I think your best bet would be to use some sort of mechanical fastener as well as the adhesive. We all know how we bounce on the chop in our bass boats on big water days, and id hate to see your panel fall off and land on your throttle foot sending you 15 feet through the air over a big wave LOL.

No on a serious note tho i really would plan a few counter sunk screws with carpet or vinyl over the panel to hide em.

Other than that get creative bro. Whip out the saws and drills and cut some quality ply to fit the shape and space you need. Secure it and finish it how ever you can within your budget and available supplies.

Good luck!
RC

 

[ezmobee]

Re: Need material and attachment advice

Starboard is great but be aware that there's one (hella expensive) adhesive that works with it. Otherwise only mechanical fasteners. A PVC trim board from Lowes is another option.

 

[bkwapisz]

Re: Need material and attachment advice

I'll probably go with Marine ply then. I have another area I want to use Starboard in and I guess I can through bolt it with some SS bugle heads with those decorative washers.

What's the procedure for usage of Marine ply on a boat? Does ithave to be covered first in Epoxy?

 

[ezmobee]

Re: Need material and attachment advice

Yes. Marine plywood, contrary to popular belief, is not treated. It just has fewer voids and better glue.

 

[CarTuner]

Re: Need material and attachment advice

Here are a couple options:

1) Coat a piece of plywood (either exterior or marine) with epoxy and maybe a layer of cloth. Then mix up a batch of thickened epoxy and glue the plywood to the inside of your compartment. Mount all of your equipment to this plywood.

2) Make two cleats out of plywood (again, either ext. or marine). Coat them with epoxy and cloth. Glue them to the inside of the compartment with thickened epoxy. Now screw a piece of starboard onto these cleats, and mount your equipment to the starboard.

 

[Shife]

Re: Need material and attachment advice

If you want to avoid thru-bolting the ply, use G/Flex. P/N 655K

http://www.jamestowndistributors.co...ickened+Epoxy+Adhesive+Resin+and+Hardener+Kit

3M 5200 is guaranteed to fail at the worst moment in an application like this. It is a poor adhesive, but a decent sealant. I've used the G/Flex for several odd projects and have been very impressed with it.

G/Flex will bond to Starboard after flame treatment but ply coated with resin is probably a better option in this application.

http://www.westsystem.com/ss/g-flex-epoxy-adhesion-data/