Drilling holes in fiberglass

[TruckDrivingFool]

Re: Drilling holes in fiberglass

If that's your mounting location squared out in orange I'd think you'd fine to go straight up and through below the blue in the white where it looks like it starts to curve out. Make sure to look at what's on the inside before you pick the final location and drill though.

I've also been told it's a good idea to put some sort of clamp on the transducer cable shortly above it so it if should strike something at speed it won't whip around and come into the boat and hit someone. I've always heeded the warning but that's been in smaller tinnies where I was closer to the back.(in transducer striking range)

 

[j1r11]

Re: Drilling holes in fiberglass

This will likely be a thick part of your transom...
If you don't already have a newish, sharp, 1/2 inch drill bit... buy a new 1/2 spade/paddle bit. I sometimes drill an 1/8 inch hole (easy to drill straight) then follow with the spade/paddle bit. The sharp tip of the paddle will follow the 1/8 pilot nicely. Use moderate pressure on the gel coat. Drill the pilot hole from the outside, then also from the outside 99% through with the 1/2 inch, finish off the hole from the inside to avoid a blowout.

http://www.homedepot.com/h_d1/N-5yc...langId=-1&keyword=irwin 1/2 bit&storeId=10051

I actually have one of those bits. I just can't decide how high to do it.

 

[joewithaboat]

Re: Drilling holes in fiberglass

If you get just above that eyelet that your rear straps are mounted to i think your out of the water

 

[j1r11]

Re: Drilling holes in fiberglass

Any more votes on how high i should drill the hole before i take the plunge?

 

[robert graham]

Re: Drilling holes in fiberglass

Small holes, shallow holes, mount with some glue, cement, silicone rubber or similar to hold it on tight...."Always better to screw it and glue it than just to Screw it".....Some folks Screw it, Blue it, Tattoo it and then Glue it!

 

[j1r11]

Re: Drilling holes in fiberglass

Small holes, shallow holes, mount with some glue, cement, silicone rubber or similar to hold it on tight...."Always better to screw it and glue it than just to Screw it".....Some folks Screw it, Blue it, Tattoo it and then Glue it!

transducer mounting holes are done. The big hole to run the transducer plug up to the Finder is the one i am confused about.

 

[robert graham]

Re: Drilling holes in fiberglass

Can you just run the transducer wire up and over the transom, attach it with some clips...avoid any more "big" holes, at least below the water line?

 

[island mike]

Re: Drilling holes in fiberglass

yeah you could,But when are you finaly going get to doing it ? You know exactly what to do right....?

 

[j1r11]

Re: Drilling holes in fiberglass

Can you just run the transducer wire up and over the transom, attach it with some clips...avoid any more "big" holes, at least below the water line?

I would have to run it over the swim deck and back seat. It would look terrible. I am not doing this hole under the water line. I know the blue paint is above the water line, but i am not sure about under the swim deck. No one has done this?

 

[island mike]

Re: Drilling holes in fiberglass

Just drill the hole its not the end of the world.

 

[j1r11]

Re: Drilling holes in fiberglass

Just drill the hole its not the end of the world.

Thanks for the technical advice. You have not stated where you think the hole would be out of the waterline.

 

[joewithaboat]

Re: Drilling holes in fiberglass

Folks are not going to tell you where to drill it for fear of it being wrong.
The only way to know for sure is to float the boat before you drill !!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[smokeonthewater]

Re: Drilling holes in fiberglass

As I told you before run it through AS HIGH AS YOU CAN STAND IT...... you can even run it below the water line... obviously this would be the worst choice but it could be easily sealed up and function..... You then have absolutely zero tolerance for failure of the seal... the higher it is the better..... If you can go between the platform and the boat and put it just under the rubrail you will be in the ideal place.....

There is no cut and dried answer.... DO NOT assume that the water level is any certain place..... back it in the water and measure or mark the level.

In the end this is a decision you HAVE to make.... where any of us would decide was the best compromise between bombproof and attractive doesn't matter in the slightest.

 

[j1r11]

Re: Drilling holes in fiberglass

I drilled the hole yesterday. If you look at post # 37, i drilled the hole in the blue about 6" to the right of the camera flash, if that is under water i will eat my hat. I Marine siliconed the hole/wire and tomorrow i will be attaching the clamshell. I am going to screw in the clamshell though because if i ever have to have the transducer repaired or get another i will be able to fit the plug through. I glued on the transducer wire clips with Gorilla glue as nothing else stuck and i did not want anymore holes below the water line.

 

[joewithaboat]

Re: Drilling holes in fiberglass

Two 1/2 pages and you don't post pics of the results ????

 

[j1r11]

Re: Drilling holes in fiberglass

Two 1/2 pages and you don't post pics of the results ????

They will be coming tomorrow I was waiting for the silocone to cure. I just have to put the clamshell on (5 min.) and seal and screw in the transducer bracket. I have been on hold with the 5200 because the directions say "apply above 40 degrees" and takes 7 days to cure. Upstate NY has been in the 30's at night and 50's during the day for the last week.

I do not want to screw up the bonding process. The next 7 days is suposed to be lows of 37 and highs of 60. Would i be OK eith those temps?

 

[joewithaboat]

Re: Drilling holes in fiberglass

They will be coming tomorrow I was waiting for the silocone to cure. I just have to put the clamshell on (5 min.) and seal and screw in the transducer bracket. I have been on hold with the 5200 because the directions say "apply above 40 degrees" and takes 7 days to cure. Upstate NY has been in the 30's at night and 50's during the day for the last week.

I do not want to screw up the bonding process. The next 7 days is suposed to be lows of 37 and highs of 60. Would i be OK eith those temps?

My Father was from Niagara Falls. I lived in Maine for 8 or so years, so i know all about that cold... I don't miss it.

Its already boating season here again. We had a mild winter. So mild I bet the boat trader won't be full of freeze cracked, bargain boats like it usually is.

 

[smokeonthewater]

Re: Drilling holes in fiberglass

yes those temps are fine... you can apply at any temp but it won't cure till the temps are warm enough.

fill the clamshell with sealant too.

 

[j1r11]

Re: Drilling holes in fiberglass

yes those temps are fine... you can apply at any temp but it won't cure till the temps are warm enough.

fill the clamshell with sealant too.

Gotcha, will update tomorrow with pics=.

 

[smokeonthewater]

Re: Drilling holes in fiberglass

btw, I'm working outdoors, my neck is so burnt.... been 85 degrees already and the sun is cooking me.... I'm not sure I'd trade ya weather permanently but maybe for a few days to heal my burn and cure your 5200...... lol