Drilling a hole...

[KeyWestBoater]

I am getting ready to install a GPS receiver on top of my console for my GPS/FF combo. I need to drill a 3/4" hole for the cable and 2 mounting screw holes. I've never drilled into fiberglass, it appears to be about 3/4" thick. I don't want to mess anything up. Any advice please?

Thanks!

 

[Mike_V]

Re: Drilling a hole...

Consider using a RAM mount that has an adapter plate to hold the antenna right behind the GPS unit, if it can "see the sky" it will work. Less holes in the boat.
Cabellas has them on line

http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/t...all&Nty=1&Ntt=ram+gps+antenna+mount&noImage=0

 

[KeyWestBoater]

Re: Drilling a hole...

Not sure if this will work as there is 20' of cable on the GPS receiver, it appears to be permanently connected to the receiver. I was going to tie it up under the console. Not only that I think the GPS head will block the signal being right up against it.

Speaking of that has anyone mounted a GPS receiver flat on top of their console? It would be mounted on the corner behind the windshield. I suppose it would be somewhat partially blocked by the GPS head which is on the top center of the console. But if the rest of it is unobstructed to the other satellites then shouldn't it be ok anyway? This seems to be the simplest mounting option.

Thanks again!

 

[JMRuth72]

Re: Drilling a hole...

First thing to do is cover the area to be drilled with masking tape to help prevent chipping the gel coat around the holes to be drilled. This also works with wood but is not necessary for most wood products. Second is to mark the center of the holes. Third use really sharp woodworking drill bits preferably brad point. Fourth use a small drill bit for a pilot hole and work your way up in steps to the necessary size. Fifth keep the drill square to the surface to be drilled. Last don't use lots of pressure let the bit and gravity do most of the work. Of course most of this except the masking tape is a good idea on any material that you will drill by hand. Also if you are drilling metal you would want to dimple your center with a punch and hammer and obviously use metal working bits instead.

 

[JMRuth72]

Re: Drilling a hole...

BTW I forgot to mention. A coworker of mine that did fiberglass work before he joined the Navy told me to make sure to mention do NOT use a spade type bit on fiberglass and do not mark center with a center punch and hammer. It will spiderweb the fiberglass and ruin it. He said that the brad point type of wood bits would bite in and not let the bit wander.

 

[ocb_dave_ocb]

Re: Drilling a hole...

I would cover the area with tape and then use one of these? That is what im going to use when I do my new gauges, just with a bigger bit..

 

[gcboat]

Re: Drilling a hole...

ocb dave,

Yup, those work just fine - however when you first start to drill run that in reverse to score the glass. You'll need to penetrate the gelcoat completely before going into forward. Don't be in a hurry either.