how do you reinforce the fiberglass

[toddbrown]

I am getting ready to install a wakeboard tower and need to do some reinforcing. What is the best way to do this?

 

[Bondo]

Re: how do you reinforce the fiberglass

You've gotta get In Behind the piece of Fiberglass that you're going to screw the tower Too.......<br /><br />Then you can build a Backing Plate to cover as much area as possible,..... <br /><br />That'll Spread the load over that entire area.....<br /><br />Plywood works as Good as anything,+ It Ain't got to be Pretty.......

 

[Mischief Managed]

Re: how do you reinforce the fiberglass

If you can galss in some thick aluminum plates, that would be an excellent way to reinforce it.

 

[toddbrown]

Re: how do you reinforce the fiberglass

True! but what if the area it is mounting to is a round part of the hull? ply would will not lay flat.

 

[tommays]

Re: how do you reinforce the fiberglass

Well you have Two different problems the front of the tower will want to pull out of the deck, You can spread the load out for pulling OUT with the backing plates below the tower mounts.<br /><br />Then the issue you will have is how to support the rear part of the tower that is in compression if the deck is not strong enough backing plates will not make it any stronger.<br /><br />You would need to brace it up if the glass is thinner than they recommend<br /><br />tommays

 

[toddbrown]

Re: how do you reinforce the fiberglass

yeah, I think I could use fiberglass mat for that right? I would assume that a 2004 Glastron would have pretty think fiberglass but I will do this anyway.

 

[Bondo]

Re: how do you reinforce the fiberglass

Then the issue you will have is how to support the rear part of the tower that is in compression if the deck is not strong enough backing plates will not make it any stronger.<br />

True Enough,.................<br /><br />The Workaround would be to use a Large backing plate,+ Firmly attach it to it's entire area........<br />Bends,+ Corners are Where the Strength is found....... <br />

True! but what if the area it is mounting to is a round part of the hull? ply would will not lay flat.

Ayuh,..........<br />I Guess you need Contured Backing Plates......... <br /><br />The Idea is to Mirror the Largest Area Possible........

 

[tommays]

Re: how do you reinforce the fiberglass

Well you really have to be carefull the tower is putting a lot of stress into a small area that was not designed for that.<br /><br />Every boat is different if that part has to much flex you would need to brace it from the floor any movement when your boarding will dammage the deck.<br /><br />tommays

 

[toddbrown]

Re: how do you reinforce the fiberglass

Any suggestions on what to use that will mirror the shapes?

 

[tommays]

Re: how do you reinforce the fiberglass

Well FIRST you have to see what the tower maker requires ? <br /><br />Your deck may be plenty thick and it might be to thin ?<br /><br />Were you pick to place the rear tower legs can make a BIG diffrence in how stiff it is .<br /><br />Every boat is built so different we are JUST takeing a WILD AZZ GUESS and trying to tell what to look out for<br /><br /><br />tommays