Drilling Gel-coat

[Cowie]

I have a hole to drill through the bow of the boat where a line will be pass through, looking for best option to seal the inside of the hole,

The hole size will be approx 12mm, The line passing through is 6mm held in a static position so won't be running back and forth,

 

[Laser310]

I have a hole to drill through the bow of the boat where a line will be pass through, looking for best option to seal the inside of the hole,

The hole size will be approx 12mm, The line passing through is 6mm held in a static position so won't be running back and forth,

not sure why you think the gel coat might be a problem...

the bigger problem would be if you are drilling through wood or foam core

but if it's near the bow - even through the deck, there is a good chance that even if it is a cored hull, there is solid material there - no core

I would probably epoxy a through-deck bushing in place so it looked nice and epoxy will seal it up.

If it is cored you should really drill a bigger hole than is needed and protect the core with epoxy and filler - probably there are videos about this...

 

[dunedin]

I have a hole to drill through the bow of the boat where a line will be pass through, looking for best option to seal the inside of the hole,

The hole size will be approx 12mm, The line passing through is 6mm held in a static position so won't be running back and forth,

If the line is fixed, would it be better to fit an eyebolt - which can be securely bedded in mastic sealant- with an eye nut on the inside?

 

[Cowie]

N

not sure why you think the gel coat might be a problem...

the bigger problem would be if you are drilling through wood or foam core

but if it's near the bow - even through the deck, there is a good chance that even if it is a cored hull, there is solid material there - no core

I would probably epoxy a through-deck bushing in place so it looked nice and epoxy will seal it up.

If it is cored you should really drill a bigger hole than is needed and protect the core with epoxy and filler - probably there are videos about this...

No core, just solid glass, but taken advice onboard ?

 

[Seastoke]

A hole saw is better than a 12 mm drill , or go up in sizes of drills and do slow speed and check you are drillin strait.

 

[Seastoke]

Even better if you can get some one to hold apiece of wood inside against it ,

 

[Cowie]

N

No core, just solid glass, but taken advice onboard ?

Even better if you can get some one to hold apiece of wood inside against it ,

Back plate is already glassed in. Teak black

 

[Capt Popeye]

A hole saw is better than a 12 mm drill , or go up in sizes of drills and do slow speed and check you are drillin strait.

Yea or used a 'steped hole drill' these are just great they will ONLY drill out to the finished required size wanted , they also follow accurately the previous hole so NO wandering Drill BIT at all ; they can be purchased to the exact finished Hole Size Required ; leaving a clean accurate size hole ; Maybe though if drilling might be best to drill a small pilt hole first to guide the Stepped Hole drill , which might mean buying a set of Steped Drills that increase in hole size to allow for a Pilot Hole .

Best wishes and Happy Boating {#

 

[Fr J Hackett]

Sounds like it is in the anchor locker and below deck in which case it is going to ship some water which you should cater for. However even if it is solid glass make an oversize hole fill with epoxy and then drill the hole that you need through the epoxy. If you don't the exposed glass fibres will wick moisture with possible delimitation in the area.

 

[zoidberg]

I would probably epoxy a through-deck bushing in place so it looked nice and epoxy will seal it up.

That would want to be 'flared'.... and it so happens that LIDL are selling some tube-flaring tools at present.

 

[Laser310]

That would want to be 'flared'.... and it so happens that LIDL are selling some tube-flaring tools at present.

you can buy them from several of the hardware maufacturers

here they are on the US Harken site