Drilling holes

[Michael Soloway]

This weekend, I am going to try to install an Easy Jack system for collecting the manisail and a preventer-vang device that I bouight at a Sail Expo. The first one will require drilling some holes in the mast and the boom, and the second one has some blocks that must be installed in the forward deck - and that means drilling holes somewhere and mounting things with screws. I have never done either on a boat. If this was at home, I would just merrily drill the holes and mount everything. Is there anything that I need to know about this on a boat? Anything special - materials, waterproofing, caution, procedures, etc? Is there any reason that I am very hesitant to drill little screw holes in my mast and boom? I would like to complete this project this weekend if possible. Any help would be appreciated.

Michael Soloway
CD31 #60 "Puffin"
Lincoln Harbor, NJ



m@msoloway.com

[Art Pedersen]

One step you might consider when mounting anything on the mast or boom is to go to the stationary store and buy some thin sheets of mylar plastic, the stuff is thin and easy to cut with scissors. When we commissoned our CD36 we put mylar gaskets between winches, cleats, etc. then used bedding compound on the screws, after l0 years we have no corrison on the mast or boom. Any questions you can reach me at Pavnsail@msn.com
Art Pedersen, CD36 Sjoriden, Alameda, California



Pavnsail @msn.com

[Serge Zimberoff]

In the deck, short version is:
a. Drill slightly oversize holes, at least 1/4" bigger than needed.
b. Use a bent nail or similar in your drill to clean out the material between the two fiberglass surfaces.
c. Tape well below and fill with epoxy (with some reinforcing fibers).
d. Re-drill in center of your epoxy plug so that now you have sealed off the between layer from water intrusion.
e. Mount whatever using standard bedding and backing plate instructions.
Serge
Ty #1700 'Cloning Around'



serge@srtrop.com

[Michael Soloway]

What is bedding compound? How is it applied to the screws. Just coat them and then proceed? Even for small fittings - you would create a small mylar template and use it beteween the item and the mast? Is it to keep them separated?

What is epoxy and how does it work? I guess a marine store would know what it is.
These are small blocks - they just have holes and require screwing in to the deck. I was afraid that it wss a big production.



m@soloway.com

[Warren Kaplan]

What is bedding compound? How is it applied to the screws. Just coat them and then proceed? Even for small fittings - you would create a small mylar template and use it beteween the item and the mast? Is it to keep them separated?

What is epoxy and how does it work? I guess a marine store would know what it is.
These are small blocks - they just have holes and require screwing in to the deck. I was afraid that it wss a big production.

Michael,
It might be a good idea to pick up a book on maintenance. Even something like the West System Guide will pretty much tell you about epoxy, how to use it and bedding compound.
In a nutshell, bedding compound is schmeared on any fittings, screws etc that will be installed to the deck. You use it to make a seal between the surfaces of the deck and the fitting to keep the ocean OUT!! Anytime you breach the integrity of the deck's skin, or any other part of the boat, water can get thru any minute openings and down thru the holes you drilled into the core. Water in the core will sooner or later lead to problems. Most bedding applications can be handled by Lifecaulk (Boatlife product).
Epoxy has many uses (read the West System Guide) but in the instance of drilling holes in the deck, its used this way. Epoxy will seal the balsa core from water intrusion even if your bedded fittings leak. Then all you have to do is "fix the leak" but you won't have to deal with wet core problems..which can be huge. Epoxy is also used to replace the core for a small area around a screw or thru bolt hole that may be under heavy load. It stiffens the area around the fitting and can save the deck from being distorted and weakened under load. Really, read a few articles on this and it'll all be clear. Its not rocket science.
One further comment about adding fittings using bedding and epoxy. None of this is very hard. It can be very time consuming however because when you do this, the preparation and cure times just take up alot of time. But you MUST do them! You take NO short cuts. If you do, you'll get leaks, or fittings that are not adequately secured or you'll slop bedding compound and/or epoxy all over the deck and the fittings which can be murderous to get off. You DO the careful masking of the surrounding area and the fitting itself when using bedding compound. You leave out none of the steps when "wetting out" a hole with liquid epoxy before using thickened epoxy...etc. Take it from one who used alot of epoxy and bedding compound installing deck organizers, roped clutches, cabintop winches and various other goodies this spring. As I said, there are many good books and articles out there. Read a few chapters. The West System Guide is very good, especially for using epoxy.

Warren Kaplan
Sine Qua Non
CD27
Oyster Bay Harbor, NY



Setsail728@aol.com

[Art Pedersen]

The mylar gaskets would be used between any metal fitting that you are mounting on the mast or boom, they stop the stainless steel,etc from coming in contact with the aluminum boom,and causing corrosion



Pavnsail @msn.com