Just took delivery of a houseboat. The bridge had to be removed for transport and I want to make sure I use the best possible methods of sealing the mounting screws as the roof has a very dry balsa core and I want it to stay that way. Hoping to get some feedback from you guys since I've never done this before.
My thoughts are that screws usually don't bite as well the second time which is why I want to drill fresh holes. Below is what I had in mind. Not so sure the steps in italics are necessary, seems like an awful lot of work just to cut a chamfer but if it's going to make a big difference then I'll do it. Bridge is solid glass and weighs about 300lbs.
- Open up the existing holes a bit with a rotary tool
- Use a syringe to inject said holes with Marine Tex, let cure, then sand flush
- Place bridge about a 1/2" away from its original location so it's not directly over the old holes
- Drill fresh holes
- Remove bridge
- Use a countersink to machine a small chamfer in the 'glass and gelcoat to make a pocket for the sealant
- Replace bridge and line it back up to the freshly drilled holes
- Use a caulk gun with a small tip to inject every hole with marine sealant (Life Calk, Life Seal?)
- Screw 'er down
Here's the deck that it will mount to:
Here's a bridge in its current location on the lower deck:
My thoughts are that screws usually don't bite as well the second time which is why I want to drill fresh holes. Below is what I had in mind. Not so sure the steps in italics are necessary, seems like an awful lot of work just to cut a chamfer but if it's going to make a big difference then I'll do it. Bridge is solid glass and weighs about 300lbs.
- Open up the existing holes a bit with a rotary tool
- Use a syringe to inject said holes with Marine Tex, let cure, then sand flush
- Place bridge about a 1/2" away from its original location so it's not directly over the old holes
- Drill fresh holes
- Remove bridge
- Use a countersink to machine a small chamfer in the 'glass and gelcoat to make a pocket for the sealant
- Replace bridge and line it back up to the freshly drilled holes
- Use a caulk gun with a small tip to inject every hole with marine sealant (Life Calk, Life Seal?)
- Screw 'er down
Here's the deck that it will mount to:
Here's a bridge in its current location on the lower deck: