Drilling Holes in Boats
— By Jan Mundy
I became reacquainted with dinghy sailing
last summer when I acquired an old Sunfish. A fun boat in a blow,
it lacked dry storage for my keys, wallet and other stuff. Utilitubes
from Rabud (Tel: 954/ 925-4199, Web: www.rabud.com) were the
perfect storage solution. They’re made of polycarbonate, and they feature a watertight,
twist-lock, gasketed deck plate. I installed the smallest model,
the Utilitube 8 (US$20.50). They are available in four sizes from
8" (20cm) to 26-1/2" (67cm) in length.
Modifications often require drilling a hole
in your boat, a somewhat unnerving experience for the uninitiated.
But like any precise work, after you’ve drilled a few holes and gained experience,
it becomes just a means to complete another project. Regardless
of what hardware you’re installing, if it requires drilling
through fiberglass, use these simple steps as a guideline.
Step 1: Trace the OD of the tube. This is the cutting
line. |
Step 2: As there was no under deck access, I was drilling
blind so I first drilled a 1/4” (6mm) pilot hole in
the center to check for height and width clearances. If the
positioning was incorrect, a sealant patch, perhaps even
mounting a cleat, would hide the error. |
Step 3: Insert a stiff rod (I used copper rod) to measure
height and width clearances. |
Step 4: Drill a 1/2" (12mm) pilot hole along the
cutting line. This becomes the starting position for the
jigsaw. |
Step 5: Insert the blade of the jigsaw into the drilled
hole and begin to cut. Be sure to use a sharp blade. I used
a 7 TPI to cut through the foam-backed deck. |
Step 6: Dry fit the Utilitube. Use a wood file to remove
any high spots. |
Step 7: Mark the outside perimeter of the deck plate.
Drill the holes for machine screws. To do this, drill one
hole at a time, and insert the fastener. When all are drilled,
remove the tube. |
Step 8: Clean the mating surfaces with solvent. |
Step 9: Dab some 3M 4200 (or equivalent) polyurethane
sealant into the fastener holes and apply a bead of silicone
onto the underside of the deck plate, and insert the Utilitube. |
Step 10: Success. Dry storage for my stuff.
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