Tailgunner how does you panel fit to the hull?<br /><br />Are the bolted, screwed, or what? I have an issue with the attacment of my panels. You look like yours is solved. I see holes in the upper sides and then the panel is attached, how?
looking at the pics I am still confused, great question though, how is the physical attachment to the boat work? for extra support are you runing any bolts or anything from the outside of the hull in???? in the process of building the same thing
How I did it and...how it looks like TG is doing it is...<br /><br />With wood cut but no other finishing done:<br />-Drill hole through side panel and side of boat (I did mine by holding panel up to side and then drill through both. I drilled these every 1 1/2 - 2 feet apart).<br />-Counter sink the screw holes in the wood (on the side facing the inside of the boat).<br />-Screw in a 3" stainless steel machine screw (from inside boat side)<br />-If it is nice and secure you can just use liquid nails or 5200 to make sure the screws stay tight...I used the flat little lock nuts (not sure the technical name..but mine were very thin and made sure the screw doesnt loosen)<br />- Finish the side panel...staple vinyl...screw accent pieces etc.<br />-Mount side panel to boat side by sliding all the screws through the holes (I hadt to re-drill these holes 1 drill size larger...they shoult just slide through. Use washer and nuts...make snug (use thread lock) but dont over-tighten...you can crack the fiberglass boat side.<br /><br />-JMW
IC Grasshopper, now if I can only create the smooth finish like the Master. Did you use rosettes or just regular bolts with lock washers? I was curious how well they tightened.
Ah siad the man who asked the question. When I removed my panels they were held with screw SS of course to the sides. The problem is how did they create the places between vinyl pieces to hold this. I can find out but the side pieces have deteriorated. I think i like the smooth look that Tail_Gunner has.<br /><br />I will see what Rosettes are.
Tailgunner no I don't think I need that however I will be putting bolts/nuts on mine. There is very little edge inside your boat just like mine. <br /><br />I will be buying some screws and bolts soon.
Hey Realgun. What was it about these boats that made people want to go after the inner edges with skill saws? Mine was done the same way and they only left me with 4" to secure the side rail. I'm going to try to put that open compartment in the sides but I havn't quite figured out how to secure the bottom. It my have to be glassed in.
Any self respecting hardware store, a real one not Home Chepo or Lowley's will have rosettes. They are basically taped nut's with a screw grove in the sides. You can use them to join materials and they are self tightening. As you tighten the screw it opposes the rosette and tightens against itself. Be one with the hull, side panel and you shall find your inner wisdom.
If any of you guys can find any pictures of these rosettes to post, I would love to see what you are talking about. I was going to install my rails the same way, but I was going to try to find very thin nuts and washers to secure the bolts to the templates.
I'am seeing daylight.......... 
