Drilling holes in the side of a boat

[Jrod]

I was wondering if anyone here had ever seen, heard of, or used any sort of device to accurately drill through the side of a boat. We are installing underwater lights and we need be able to know exactly where the hole we are drilling from the outside is going to go once we penetrate the hull. We were thinking some sort of sonic device with one part outside and one part inside to ensure proper placement of these light. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

JR

 

[David2452]

I was wondering if anyone here had ever seen, heard of, or used any sort of device to accurately drill through the side of a boat. We are installing underwater lights and we need be able to know exactly where the hole we are drilling from the outside is going to go once we penetrate the hull. We were thinking some sort of sonic device with one part outside and one part inside to ensure proper placement of these light. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

JR

I sometimes use a pair of these for precision, even have a drill guide hole, not much use on steel but good for ali & GRP. http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/like/350927966523?lpid=83&device=c&adtype=pla&crdt=0&ff3=1&ff11=ICEP3.0.0&ff12=67&ff13=80&ff14=83

 

[maby]

I sometimes use a pair of these for precision, even have a drill guide hole, not much use on steel but good for ali & GRP. http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/like/350927966523?lpid=83&device=c&adtype=pla&crdt=0&ff3=1&ff11=ICEP3.0.0&ff12=67&ff13=80&ff14=83

That's an interesting idea - never thought of that! Alternatively, you'll find that many GRP hulls are thin enough to let bright light through - apply a disk of something opaque like aluminium foil on the outside and shine a powerful spot light on it?

 

[macnorton]

Tape a magnet on the outside where you want the hole.

 

[David2452]

Tape a magnet on the outside where you want the hole.

Err..... see post # 2

 

[David2452]

shine a powerful spot light on it?

That works too, or just use a laser pen.

 

[sailorman]

Err..... see post # 2

Most AWB`s just shine a torch on the outside :courage:

 

[A_8]

Excuse a bit of slightly off topic advice but many modern boats have cored hulls so I would be very careful NOT to drill thru the hull if its cored, particularly if its under the waterline. If you decide to drill a hole thru a cored hull make sure you remove a bit of the cored area and reseal so that you keep water out of the core and can easily see if you have a leak.

 

[Seastoke]

By the time you do it it will be old hat,why would you want more hole in you boat below water line ,will it devalue it in time ,sounds like the new osmosis to me ,but they do look good this season

 

[Ripster]

Most AWB`s just shine a torch on the outside :courage:

When I wanted an extra eye on the back of my newish Bavaria, I just got a mate to put his finger on the right place on the outside of the hull. This just blocked out the light and I could exactly where it was! I like the magnet idea though.