Thickness of the bow deck

Between 3/4 and 1 inch. The balsa core is consistent, but the glass over lay/under lay can vary. Also the "non skid" can add a bit of depth.
 
When drilling through the deck (I am installing a bow ladder as per the photos in Sea Wolf's thread) in the area where the non skid is. Should I bed the bracket with 3M 4200 or something?
 
Absolutely. People use butyl tape, 3M 5200, and Life-Caulk for this. Don't use silicone, which isn't up to the job.

Unless the bolts and bracket are bedded, water will get in between them and the deck and cause rotting of the deck core and probably leaks into the cabin below.
 
Thanks. I was planning on bedding the bracket and then making sure that the bolts were well-gooped. Planning on having a fender washer and nylock nut on each bolt in the cabin.
 
I advise overdriving any hole in the foredeck and route out any core, by a few 8ths of an inch, with Dremel tool, and then fill with thickened epoxy. Redrill the holes. With the non skid on the deck, you will have difficulty getting a really good seal. When you have these holes prepared, then use 4000. If the screws/bolts for the butyl tape become loose, there will be dirt and water under the tape. (can = leak).
Just "Gooping the bolt, will not prevent the intrusion of water. Do it right.

A fender washer or backing plate is excellent. If there is some bedding compound or loctite will keep the bolt from backing off, and I feel that is a better solution than the most expensive nylox nut.
 
While you are over drilling the holes, use the dremel tool to grind down the non skid surface so it is smooth. Mark the shape/size of whatever will touch the deck and then smooth out the surface.

Another option is to mark the mating area and fill the non skid with some thickened epoxy to smooth it out. You might be able to made a dam with the butyl tape (I haven't ever tried this, just an idea).
 
I advise over-driving any hole in the foredeck and route out any core, by a few 8ths of an inch, with Dremel tool, and then fill with thickened epoxy. Re-drill the holes. Just "Gooping the bolt, will not prevent the intrusion of water. Do it right
Click to expand...
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Take Dr Bob's advice. I have to remove the windlass and do this as the factory did not. It's on the "to do list" this spring.
 
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