drilling sundeck for cupholders - bad idea?

[Super_Dave]

I just purchased my first boat (2000 Sea Ray 180BR). I've only been out on it a couple of times but I love it!!! Now I have my first stupid noobie question. How come nobody puts cup holders on the swim deck? Am I the only person that likes to enjoy a drink while swimmining off the boat? I am thinking of drilling big holes and adding some cupholder inserts. Is this a bad idea? The thought of drilling into my new hull kind of scares me.

 

[craze1cars]

Re: drilling sundeck for cupholders - bad idea?

I added 4 cupholders to my boat as you describe recently. Absolutely no problem and looks like a perfect factory installation. If you drill holes into your hull your boat will sink and your beer will spill because it will be upside down . But drilling 4 inch holes into the upper deck is easy and harmless...but make darn sure you know what you're drilling into down below so you don't find yourself doing emergency electrical repairs. Use a high quality bi-metal hole saw as the fiberglass/gelcoat will quickly dull and destroy a cheaper hole saw. Unless you're REALLY secure in your abilities, do NOT try to do this with a jigsaw by hand...one small slip and you'll have a visible flaw. The correct holesaw is about as dummyproof as you can get for this job. And by all means measure twice and cut once...there's no turning back once you've started! I sealed the edges with marine silicone before dropping in the plastic cups.

 

[Realgun]

Re: drilling sundeck for cupholders - bad idea?

I can see your point, don't want to climb out of water to get a drink. Isn't there a floating cooler that looks like a bobber? This would solve the issue.

 

[lakelivin]

Re: drilling sundeck for cupholders - bad idea?

My cupholders have holes in the bottom so they drain if liquid gets in them. Obviously you'd want to stay away from that kind (and like craze says, seal thouroughly) if you're putting them into the swim platform.

 

[marunr]

Re: drilling sundeck for cupholders - bad idea?

Realgun,<br />I read your project post with interest. You have the same boat I have, except mine is an I/O. I bought mine brand new in August of 1987, and it has been a great boat. I'm curious what you did to re-upholster the damaged seats and "top areas". I have always kept mine inside, and it is in good shape except where my kids grew up climbing in and out. Also the operators seat could use some attention. I want to stay with the same color scheme, did you do your own work?

 

[Super_Dave]

Re: drilling sundeck for cupholders - bad idea?

Originally posted by craze1cars:<br /> I added 4 cupholders to my boat as you describe recently. Absolutely no problem and looks like a perfect factory installation.

Great! thanks, Do you happen to have pics?

 

[craze1cars]

Re: drilling sundeck for cupholders - bad idea?

I hope this works...my cupholders aren't in the sundeck like you're doing, but same concept I installed one on each side of my windshield for the people sitting in the bow. First 2 photos show one of these. The last one shows 3 cupholders I installed in the restored engine cover (which incidentally was a pile of woodmulch when I bought the boat), obviously this is wood/vinyl and not what you're talking about, but same simple concept as far as installation goes, just easier to cut.<br /><br />With regards to LakeLivn's comments about the cupholders with holes, mine have the drain holes and I don't feel it's a problem. The silicone sealant I referenced is to protect the cut edges of the fiberglass to prevent delamination from the edge of the cut hole, not to prevent water from draining through the cupholder to the bilge. A hole in the bottom of the cupholder is generally not a problem, but be aware where it drains to. Like every other opening in your boat, if it just drains liquid to the bilge, it's harmless. But if it's draining right over some of your engine electronics or something then that's obviously a problem, so by all means be aware of what's below. I also suggest you buy the bigger cupholders (4 inches, if memory serves) as they will accomodate a beer can inside a "koozie" and can keep your beer cold longer! Smaller ones are available, but I feel less useful. I bought 8 cupholders on-line for less than $2 each, but I can't remember where I found them. I've also seen them at local marinas for sometimes $4 each.<br /><br />

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[Super_Dave]

Re: drilling sundeck for cupholders - bad idea?

wow, that is a very clean install. Looks like you followed the old addage... "measure twice, cut once"<br /><br />I found some stainless steel cupholders for $4.95 each or $7.95 fo the jumbo ones at casinodiscountsupplies.com<br /><br />You have a nice boat too btw

 

[craze1cars]

Re: drilling sundeck for cupholders - bad idea?

The stainless would be a great choice, should look really sharp. Thanks for the comment...this boat was once the rotted hulk that I sometimes reference in my posts. 1992 Rinker 181 that led a very sadly abused life. Got it for $500 last fall and spent the winter in my workshop restoring structural hull/engine mount rot, mechanical wear, upholstery replacement and interior structure rot. Now all summer long we've been using it every weekend in season to waterski and cruise, I'm proud to say it's been working flawless thusfar and I have less than $1,500 invested, including the price of the boat iteself. This winter I plan to address the somewhat faded/gouged/blistered hull exterior and possibly the trailer to complete the restoration fully. I've done auto restoration all my life, and this boat thing is a completely different animal...it's been fun teaching myself, though! This forum has been one of my best tools...

 

[travism]

Re: drilling sundeck for cupholders - bad idea?

I think that the reference to holes in the cupholders was because if he installs them on the swim platform, they are much more likely to be collecting seawater from waves and such. If installed where craze has done it's not so much a threat. Nice install, craze. They do look like they came that way from the factory.

 

[lakelivin]

Re: drilling sundeck for cupholders - bad idea?

Like craze said, as long as cupholder holes drain directly to the bilge, no problem with cupholder holes (probably better, actually). <br /><br />I don't know details of SDs boat construction (or boat construction in general to be honest), but wonder where interior of a swim platform would drain (if at all). My other concern regarding holes in the cupholders would be that they don't drain onto foam inside the hull. I've heard that wet foam can lead to problems. <br /><br />Craze had the advantage (if you can call it that, lol) of tearing down his boat so he knew exactly where things will drain. I was just suggesting caution for others that don't have that knowledge. By the way Craze, great job, not just on the cupholders, but the rest of the renovation as well. Looks like a new boat.<br /><br />Keep in mind that I have almost no experience and claim no expertise, just mentioned as something perhaps worth thinking about.