Installed flag pole. Think I screwed up

M

mike1trim

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May 28, 2011
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Just install a flag pole mount on my fiberglass boat. After two days its very loose. I had to take the pole off and the screws will not tighten. It seems like it's hollow and the screws do not get tight. What now. I hope someone can help please!
 
The Rooster

The Rooster

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Re: Installed flag pole. Think I screwed up

Sorry to hear that Mike. I had a similar problem when installing a stripper pole on the party barge !!!
 
veritas honus

veritas honus

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Re: Installed flag pole. Think I screwed up

Drill the screw holes and use SS 1/4" bolts (20 threads per inch is standard) and washers with SS nylon locknuts. Put a predrilled piece of sealed plywood underneath as a backer. Fill the holes with 3M 5200 before putting in the bolts. Wait 24hrs before using the mount.
 
dingbat

dingbat

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Re: Installed flag pole. Think I screwed up

Screws on a boat are useless. Everything on a boat has to be thru bolted. Ny-loc nuts and fender washers are your friends
 
M

mike1trim

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Re: Installed flag pole. Think I screwed up

dingbat said:
Screws on a boat are useless. Everything on a boat has to be thru bolted. Ny-loc nuts and fender washers are your friends
Click to expand...
What is thru bolted? I can not get to the bottom side of the screw
 
Daddypleo

Daddypleo

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Re: Installed flag pole. Think I screwed up

dingbat said:
Screws on a boat are useless. Everything on a boat has to be thru bolted. Ny-loc nuts and fender washers are your friends
Click to expand...

Or you can use plastic inserts like you'd use in drywall.
 
jigngrub

jigngrub

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Re: Installed flag pole. Think I screwed up

Daddypleo said:
Or you can use plastic inserts like you'd use in drywall.
Click to expand...

Put some adhesive on them before you stick them in the hole... and they still might pull out depending on the load.
 
90stingray

90stingray

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Re: Installed flag pole. Think I screwed up

Some of those flag pole holders in Overtons say not for use over 5mph! That wouldn't even cover the Kansas breeze round here. :) MAybe you can bump up to the next screw size and "glue" it in with 3M 5200.
 
veritas honus

veritas honus

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Re: Installed flag pole. Think I screwed up

mike1trim said:
What is thru bolted? I can not get to the bottom side of the screw
Click to expand...

"Thru bolted" is what I explained to you in my first reply. I'm assuming you mounted the flag pole mount on a gunnel. Maybe I'm wrong. Where did you mount it? Please post a couple pics, and we can help you more effectively.

As dingbat said, "fender washers are your friend." He's absolutely right. Fender washers are great where they will be sitting flat. In an area such as the underside of a gunnel, or similar area, however, the washer may not sit flat and will "bite" into the fiberglass. If you use plywood (sealed of course), it will be forgiving, and compress a little as you tighten the bolts. SS washers should be used between the nylon locknut and the plywood. The fiberglass hull is harder than plywood, and the plywood will partially conform to the angles of the fiberglass giving you a snug and well protected solid mount.
 
LippCJ7

LippCJ7

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Re: Installed flag pole. Think I screwed up

And as some have learned you have to thrubolt the stripper pole...........
 
jamerson62

jamerson62

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Re: Installed flag pole. Think I screwed up

Simple little flag pole trick that works, is find a small flag and put on on an white light pole. It'll fit right into the white light holder and works awesome.
 
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John_S

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Re: Installed flag pole. Think I screwed up

jamerson62 said:
Simple little flag pole trick that works, is find a small flag and put on on an white light pole. It'll fit right into the white light holder and works awesome.
Click to expand...

Make sure it is a small flag. I used clip-on flag clips with a 3' X 5' flag, and forgot to take it down once. Just getting on plane, started to bend the light pole. Works great at slow speeds.
 
goboating

goboating

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Re: Installed flag pole. Think I screwed up

The idea of a stripper pole on a boat is...intresting!!???! Bet you would be the hit of the party!!!
 
M

mike1trim

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Re: Installed flag pole. Think I screwed up

Thanks for the help
I used nylock screws with wing nuts
Im not really a handy guy....did not even realize that I can get to the bottom side if I pulled the back seat up!
All is well now! Thanks!
 
M

MAXXIE

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Re: Installed flag pole. Think I screwed up

That youtube clip is just wrong on so many levels.:eek:, Thank God the pole went down, I don't think I could have watched the stripping part. I would have had to stick a fork in my eye's:D
 
jamerson62

jamerson62

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Re: Installed flag pole. Think I screwed up

I want to say the flag we have is an 18"x12" we picked up at a farm supply store for $2. Well worth it.
 
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