I am replacing my depth sounder and knot meter with a new combination unit in the cabin bulkhead. I need to fill in the areas where the old instruments were located. Any ideas?
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T
TOM MCNAMARA
D
david lewis
Bulkhead holes
First of all put huge chamfers all around the holes on the inside and out. If the holes go all the way thru (I assume they do) then take a piece of plywood and cover it with saran wrap or other plastic sheeting. Duct tape or screw it in place over the hole on the inside. Usine WEST System epoxy and a suitable additive start laying up fiberglass matt wetting it out with the epoxy, work fast and only mix small amount of epoxy at a time, it sets up quickly. As the hole fills up start extending the layup over the chamfer area which gives the repair a lot more strength. When done Cover it with another piece of plywood and plastic so the epoxy all won't sag out of the repair. When cured (about 6-8 hours remove the plywood and do a few layers on the inside to cover the chamfer, when that cures you will need to gelcoat it or paint it and matching your existing gel coat will be very difficult. Then when the gelcoat cures sand with progressively finer paper and finish it up with compound. Good luck.
First of all put huge chamfers all around the holes on the inside and out. If the holes go all the way thru (I assume they do) then take a piece of plywood and cover it with saran wrap or other plastic sheeting. Duct tape or screw it in place over the hole on the inside. Usine WEST System epoxy and a suitable additive start laying up fiberglass matt wetting it out with the epoxy, work fast and only mix small amount of epoxy at a time, it sets up quickly. As the hole fills up start extending the layup over the chamfer area which gives the repair a lot more strength. When done Cover it with another piece of plywood and plastic so the epoxy all won't sag out of the repair. When cured (about 6-8 hours remove the plywood and do a few layers on the inside to cover the chamfer, when that cures you will need to gelcoat it or paint it and matching your existing gel coat will be very difficult. Then when the gelcoat cures sand with progressively finer paper and finish it up with compound. Good luck.
I
Ike Cook
www.sailnet.com might help
click on the article titled "Getting Decked Out" by Tom Wood, scroll down to the bottom of that article to the section, Suggested Reading. and click on the article titled "Drilling and Filling Holes in Your Boat" by Sue and Larry. It's pretty good, Sailnet does a great job with all their articles.
click on the article titled "Getting Decked Out" by Tom Wood, scroll down to the bottom of that article to the section, Suggested Reading. and click on the article titled "Drilling and Filling Holes in Your Boat" by Sue and Larry. It's pretty good, Sailnet does a great job with all their articles.
J
Justin - O'day Owners' Web
cheap fix
Jim: If you want to do a cheap fix (not as cheap as Tom M's). Just put one of those inspection ports in the hole. The best way to fix it is to have a fiberglass repair job done on it. Then the can either paint it or have the gelcoat redone over the area. Don't forget about Justins idea. It is probably cheaper than the repair job.
Jim: If you want to do a cheap fix (not as cheap as Tom M's). Just put one of those inspection ports in the hole. The best way to fix it is to have a fiberglass repair job done on it. Then the can either paint it or have the gelcoat redone over the area. Don't forget about Justins idea. It is probably cheaper than the repair job.
M
Murray
Plexiglass plate
I had the same issue when I moved my wind/speed indicator. The installer made a nice black plexiglass plate that he glued to the bulkhead. What was actually neat about this was that 6 month's later I had him come back and install a radar in the same place. Sure would have hated to have him cut thru brand new repair if I had filled the hole with fibreglass and gelcoat.
I had the same issue when I moved my wind/speed indicator. The installer made a nice black plexiglass plate that he glued to the bulkhead. What was actually neat about this was that 6 month's later I had him come back and install a radar in the same place. Sure would have hated to have him cut thru brand new repair if I had filled the hole with fibreglass and gelcoat.
R
R.W.Landau
Easier,
If you are afraid to do the fiberglass work and if it works for you, mount the new instruments on teak over the old holes. r.w.landau
If you are afraid to do the fiberglass work and if it works for you, mount the new instruments on teak over the old holes. r.w.landau
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