Wake Tower Install on 2002 Bayliner Rendezvous

[bts2]

HI All,

I installed a wake tower on my 2002 Bayliner Rendezvous and used 5200 to glue some plywood squares onto the gunwales where the tower mounts to the sides to reinforce things. However, I'm not really happy about this and only did it to get the kids out on the water. So, I'd like to re-do it with glass but I'm not sure exactly how, specifically:

Which fabric? Do I alternate mat with woven? How many layers?
Should I use a core? Balsa? Other?
Resin versus epoxy? I know, age old debate, but for this particular application.

Many thanks for your advice,

Byron

 

[Scott Danforth]

is the 5200 on the underside of the gunwales or the top side?

if underneath, your wood is a core. however to get fiberglass to stick, your going to have to sand the surface.

 

[bts2]

The plywood and 5200 is underneath, or "inside" the sides behind the cushions, if you will. I could just go over the plywood with fiberglass but I'm not too sure about the integrity of a so-so wood core glued with caulk that is sandwiched between the existing and new fiberglass but not really a continuous structure.

Thanks.

 

[Scott Danforth]

5200 is not caulk. it is an adhesive/sealant that forms a near permanent bond.

If it was me, and your plywood is thick enough, and large enough, I personally wouldnt worry about it.

 

[DeepBlue2010]

Do you have pictures? Is this a replacement tower or new addition, in other words, was there any tower installed b4?

Is the tower fiberglass or aluminum?
Does it bolt to an angled part of the hull or a horizontal part?

 

[bts2]

No Title

Thanks again for the help. This is a new install of an aluminum tower on the near vertical sides. There was no tower option on this boat but there was the next year on the same hull. I tried to duplicate the factory mount points but only got that lucky 1 out of 4 or maybe they hadnt thickened the sides yet for 2002. Here's a pic of the hack job i did last year to get the boat out on the water. I have all the seats and panels out now for recover so thought I ought to correct this. Sorry, should not have said caulk, I meant that a high modulus of elasticity material sandwiched between epoxy and glass sounds like a failure waiting to happen to me.

I'm thinking I should use epoxy and can lay up about 10 layers of 12 oz or use a balsa core glassed in.

Appreciate your advice.

Byron

 

[Fastatv]

5200 is not caulk. it is an adhesive/sealant that forms a near permanent bond.

If it was me, and your plywood is thick enough, and large enough, I personally wouldnt worry about it.

^^^^^^^What he said. But If your concerned, you might just replace the plywood with a larger piece ( all four corners ), spread the load out a bit more.

 

[Bondo]

Sorry, should not have said caulk, I meant that a high modulus of elasticity material sandwiched between epoxy and glass sounds like a failure waiting to happen to me.

Ayuh,...... Call it want ya want, but I'm doubtin' you can get that piece of plywood outa there,....

5200 is darn near ForEver stuff,.... if it comes out, it'll be in splinters,.....

In yer picture, what's the row of screws to the other side,..??

Is this mount glued, 'n screwed to the inner panel, 'n not the top-cap or hull,..??
How is the side-panel attached to the rest of the hull, if I'm right,..??

I agree with the others, other than gluin' in a bigger piece of plywood to spread the load alittle more, it appears to be secure to the panel it's attached too,.....

 

[bts2]

No Title

Thanks. sorry for the delay responding - work finally allowed me to get back to the boat today. Sorry as well for the confusing picture/terminology - I tried to use the right words but I'm still learning. Here are further pics - the wake tower is installed to the outer vertical side of the boat (hull?) and the plywood is (was) glued to the inside of that same panel. I got the plywood out, it put up a little fight with the 5200, but not much - maybe has more to do with my preparation being inadequate - I did use 80 grit and acetone originally. The boat sides vary from 3/16 to 516 of an inch thick which is why I reinforced them.

The row of screws below the plywood panel is where the rubrail is attached.

So, if I got it right, a bigger piece of plywood glued to the panel ought to do it? Since I bought the epoxy, I think I'll go that route because it's something I wanted to learn how to do anyway and this seems like a potentially good exercise to learn on and not cause too much harm if I make a mistake.

Does this seem like a good plan?