Cutting a hole in bulkhead for a new instrument - waterproofing exposed ply?

[Yeoman_24]

I'm going to fit a chart plotter on my cockpit bulkhead near the companionway and I am going to fit it in the bulkhead. I'm happy using a hole-saw and jigsaw to do the hole but before fitting, is there anything I need to do to 'waterproof' the exposed ply within the frame of the hole.

I was thinking of just fitting the instrument on a bed of butyl tape and perhaps sealing the exposed bulkhead hole ply with something like pva? Any thoughts or alternative suggestion?

 

[MikeCC]

Epoxy

 

[john_morris_uk]

Epoxy

+1. At least two coats painted onto the raw edge.

 

[Yeoman_24]

Epoxy. Thanks chaps. Can you let me have a link to what you suggest please? Cheers.

 

[Pye_End]

Araldite will be fine - handy small source of epoxy if you don't have anything else already in the cupboard.
.

 

[Lon nan Gruagach]

Warm epoxy, soaks in a bit better.

For such a small amount you would do best to borrow some..
otherwise an easy source is: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/150g-Low-Viscosity-Ultra-Clear-Epoxy-Resin-UV-Resistant-/332027300583?hash=item4d4e5e8ae7:g:7GIAAOSwoi1X847k £14

 

[Poignard]

Since this "exposed" plywood isn't going to be exposed to any water because the instrument will be set in sealant, why does it need sealing with epoxy? A few coats of paint or varnish will suffice.

 

[theoldsalt]

Think very carefully before cutting a large hole in the bulkhead to fit your chart plotter. Should you ever choose to change/upgrade it in the future it is unlikely the new one will fit and you will be left with the hole.

If your boat has a spray hood (and most have these days) consider fitting it under the spray hood on the mounting bracket that it was probably supplied with. It is then much easier to change your mind in the future or upgrade with a newer design.

 

[Quandary]

Since this "exposed" plywood isn't going to be exposed to any water because the instrument will be set in sealant, why does it need sealing with epoxy? A few coats of paint or varnish will suffice.

That would be far too easy, we are boatowners, we are never lost for an excuse to get the epoxy out, the rest of the world don't know what fun they are missing.

 

[peteK]

Think very carefully before cutting a large hole in the bulkhead to fit your chart plotter. Should you ever choose to change/upgrade it in the future it is unlikely the new one will fit and you will be left with the hole.

If your boat has a spray hood (and most have these days) consider fitting it under the spray hood on the mounting bracket that it was probably supplied with. It is then much easier to change your mind in the future or upgrade with a newer design.

+1

 

[Norman_E]

Think very carefully before cutting a large hole in the bulkhead to fit your chart plotter. Should you ever choose to change/upgrade it in the future it is unlikely the new one will fit and you will be left with the hole.

If your boat has a spray hood (and most have these days) consider fitting it under the spray hood on the mounting bracket that it was probably supplied with. It is then much easier to change your mind in the future or upgrade with a newer design.

Also think of getting one you can quickly detach from the bracket and store below out of the reach of thieves when you leave the boat. Advansea plotters came with a very neat quick release bracket.

 

[guernseyman]

Depending on the geometry of your companionway you could do the same as I have with three instruments - mount them on boards hinged to swing from the inner face of the bulkhead to the side of the companionway. There are various ways they can held in the two positions.