Mounting an antenna bracket to a fiberglass boat - any tips or suggestions

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bassmantweed

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i am getting ready to install an antenna bracket on my boat and I am wondering if there is anything special I need to do?

Should I pre-drill Or just screw it down?

If I have access to the underneath I may trI might try and drill it and use nuts and bolts.

any other suggestions or tips?
 
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Incorrigible

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Re: Mounting an antena bracket to a fiberglass boat - any tips or suggestions

Re: Mounting an antena bracket to a fiberglass boat - any tips or suggestions

Assuming you're mounting to fiberglass?
I would predrill and use bolts/nuts and at a minimum oversized (fender) washers

Also use something to seal the holes such as 3M 5200 (which is permanent) or something else to make it waterproof.
 
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bassmantweed

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Re: Mounting an antena bracket to a fiberglass boat - any tips or suggestions

Re: Mounting an antena bracket to a fiberglass boat - any tips or suggestions

Incorrigible said:
Assuming you're mounting to fiberglass?
I would predrill and use bolts/nuts and at a minimum oversized (fender) washers

Also use something to seal the holes such as 3M 5200 (which is permanent) or something else to make it waterproof.
Click to expand...

yes i am mounting to fiberglass as the post title indicates.
 
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shrew

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Re: Mounting an antena bracket to a fiberglass boat - any tips or suggestions

Re: Mounting an antena bracket to a fiberglass boat - any tips or suggestions

As stated. Through-bolt it with stainless steel bolts, washers an stainless locknuts. I'd recommend a 3M 4000 which is basically UV resistant 4200. 5200 is basically permanent (though I've removed things that have been installed with it). 4200 is semi-permanent. However neither are UV resistant and they will break down over time. 3m 4000 UV would be fine for that application. I find 4200 and 5200 are better for underwater applications or applications which won't be exposed to UV light. It's actually why 3m recommends 4000 UV for deck hardware; cleats, rail stanchions, etc.
 
Beefer

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Re: Mounting an antena bracket to a fiberglass boat - any tips or suggestions

Re: Mounting an antena bracket to a fiberglass boat - any tips or suggestions

Predrill your holes, or the gelcoat will crack. Also helps if you cover the area to be drilled with masking tape. And just as an FYI (not necessary for what you'll be doing here), run the drill in reverse first when using hole saw bits.
 
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gozierdt

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Re: Mounting an antena bracket to a fiberglass boat - any tips or suggestions

Re: Mounting an antena bracket to a fiberglass boat - any tips or suggestions

I agree with the thru-bolting. If you have access, and the surface you are mounting
too is flat enough, adding a 1/2" plywood support plate under the fiberglass helps
to spread the forces around better than just screws/bolts.
 
Bob's Garage

Bob's Garage

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Re: Mounting an antena bracket to a fiberglass boat - any tips or suggestions

Re: Mounting an antena bracket to a fiberglass boat - any tips or suggestions

bassmantweed said:
i am getting ready to install an antenna bracket on my boat and I am wondering if there is anything special I need to do?

Should I pre-drill Or just screw it down?

If I have access to the underneath I may trI might try and drill it and use nuts and bolts.

any other suggestions or tips?
Click to expand...

After drilling the holes, use a countersink to relieve the edges of the hole so as forestall spider cracking.
 
dingbat

dingbat

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Re: Mounting an antena bracket to a fiberglass boat - any tips or suggestions

Re: Mounting an antena bracket to a fiberglass boat - any tips or suggestions

You are mounting an 8 foot long lever on a mount that has less than 3 square inches of surface area. If you don?t want the antenna to crack your fiberglass all to pieces, you need a backing plate behind the mount. At a minimum, you want fender washer under each bolt. Preferably, a plate a couple of inches bigger than the mount.
 
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