matt_unique
New member
This kind of thing drives me nuts and is why I did all my installations myself. Unreal...
Ack!!! This is why I like to do things myself.
- Thread starter mgarr682
- Start date
Sunbeam":21bz3e1s said:
E.Q. Harbor Services, the maker of Marinaut Boats, does. They over-drill the holes, fill them in with epoxy, and re drill for the diameter of the bolt. This is to prevent crushing the fiberglass at the hole, and it does seal the hole, too, albeit the boat is cored with closed cell foam and not wood.
Rich
Matt Gurnsey
New member
Some thoughts-
*When I last toured the factory, the process was to glass in the transom all the way to the bottom of the boat, and the balsa coring began about an inch forward of the transom to avoid accidentally drilling into the balsa when installing things like trim tabs or transducers.
*No, most dealers do not over drill and fill with epoxy. Most consumers are unwilling to pay extra for such work. It's hard enough to get them to pay the current yard rates as it is, tripling the cost of installing an accessory isn't likely to happen, and they will simply take the job to another yard who quotes a lower price. We can explain it 'til we're blue in the face, but most boat owners are looking for the most reasonable price, and "good-enough" usually is for them.
*The synthetic core material on the transom is not like the foam material that is used to add floatation or fill voids, and will not absorb moisture. Applying a good sealant should prevent water intrusion.
*I'm not sure that you can drive a screw into the foam material without a pilot hole. So drilling the holes too short could be a problem as well. In that regard, I would probably just use a longer screw if you feel the void needs to be filled along with a good sealant.
*Trim tabs are a great addition on the C-Dory hull, and help get the sharper entry into the wave to reduce pounding at speed in a chop. If you have the optional angle indicators, don't get too concerned with the number they show, as different conditions (loads, wave height, etc) will require different tab application. With time you'll get a "feel" for the best attitude for the boat.
Finally- boats are made by human beings, with all the flaws and issues they have. Line workers at what may be a struggling company may not have the incentive, or desire to be perfect. Get it built and out the door are often the mandate from on high. Hopefully there is the supervision in place to encourage best practices. I doubt that the factory in this case will view this as a manufacturing defect and pay to have the holes underdrilled and epoxy filled.
Just some thoughts from the business side.
*When I last toured the factory, the process was to glass in the transom all the way to the bottom of the boat, and the balsa coring began about an inch forward of the transom to avoid accidentally drilling into the balsa when installing things like trim tabs or transducers.
*No, most dealers do not over drill and fill with epoxy. Most consumers are unwilling to pay extra for such work. It's hard enough to get them to pay the current yard rates as it is, tripling the cost of installing an accessory isn't likely to happen, and they will simply take the job to another yard who quotes a lower price. We can explain it 'til we're blue in the face, but most boat owners are looking for the most reasonable price, and "good-enough" usually is for them.
*The synthetic core material on the transom is not like the foam material that is used to add floatation or fill voids, and will not absorb moisture. Applying a good sealant should prevent water intrusion.
*I'm not sure that you can drive a screw into the foam material without a pilot hole. So drilling the holes too short could be a problem as well. In that regard, I would probably just use a longer screw if you feel the void needs to be filled along with a good sealant.
*Trim tabs are a great addition on the C-Dory hull, and help get the sharper entry into the wave to reduce pounding at speed in a chop. If you have the optional angle indicators, don't get too concerned with the number they show, as different conditions (loads, wave height, etc) will require different tab application. With time you'll get a "feel" for the best attitude for the boat.
Finally- boats are made by human beings, with all the flaws and issues they have. Line workers at what may be a struggling company may not have the incentive, or desire to be perfect. Get it built and out the door are often the mandate from on high. Hopefully there is the supervision in place to encourage best practices. I doubt that the factory in this case will view this as a manufacturing defect and pay to have the holes underdrilled and epoxy filled.
Just some thoughts from the business side.
Matt Gurnsey":3e7tmf30 said:
Matt, I fully understand the business end of boat building. There are a few semi custom builders who do put in the epoxy or proper material to screw into (such as starboard, or embedding an aluminum plate in the lay up process. Quality control should avoid many of the problems we see in the boats. I cannot speak to the current quality control, but at times in the past, it has been lacking.
My 2007 C Dory 22 has a fairly soft foam in the transom, and one can easily push a nail into it. I would see no screw holding property with it. I did not test the plug for water absorption, but that is easy to do when I get home. Just weigh it, soak for 24 hours, let drip dry and re weight.
Matt Gurnsey
New member
That would be interesting to know. I don't have my core samples handy, so I'm just going off of memery, as I remeber the core being very dense, but can't remember if it would allow screwing into easily.
However, as I get older, I find that my memory betrays me at times..... :roll:
However, as I get older, I find that my memory betrays me at times..... :roll: