Epoxy advise needed

[gullake]

I am planning to mount a 12 gal. fuel tank under the front seat of my 13' Whaler. I will hold it in place with straps anchored to the floor. My plan is to drill 7/16" holes thru the inner floor, dig out some of the foam core around the perimeter of the hole, vacuum out the loose stuff and then fill the hole with epoxy. This will give me a reinforced area to drill and screw my mounting blocks into. There seems to be so many choices of epoxy that I'm not sure what is the best type to use for this application and should I add a filler material into the epoxy for added strength? Happy to hear any advise, thanks.

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: Epoxy advise needed

Wow! Yes that would work but....... I think it is overkill.

If you got some pedestal mounting bolts http://www.iboats.com/Garelick-Pede...15449245--**********.532719883--view_id.38770 and installed them with some bondo marine epoxy http://www.jamestowndistributors.com/userportal/show_product.do?pid=6146&BASE The tank brackets will not move.

You really just need to mount a few wood strips (since it's a whaler I would get a nice piece of mahogany and rip it down) and simple bungees will hold it there. The weight of the tank will keep it on the deck and the strips will prevent sliding.

 

[gullake]

Re: Epoxy advise needed

Thanks to Bob-VT for the idea but I think I'll stick with my original plan. I was unaware of the pedestal mounting bolts but they require an even larger, 1/2", hole that would then need to be sealed to prevent water from getting into the hull. Minimum thickness is 3/8" and if my floor was that thick I probably wouldn't need reinforcement. Wood blocks and bungee might work but 12 gal. of fuel is going to be heavy and I don't want it getting loose. I think my plan will provide the cleanest and most secure mounting. I didn't get any help on the epoxy question so I'll just go with the West 105 that I have on hand and maybe add a little finely chopped mat for extra strength. Should be a pretty easy one day project.

 

[Driverseat]

Re: Epoxy advise needed

Hey gullake how about a photo when your done there. I'm thinking of something similiar on my project.

 

[gullake]

Re: Epoxy advise needed

I'll do it. It will be next month sometime before I can get it on the schedule, and the weather is warm enough to epoxy. I'll take pictures of the process and post them.