Posted by burtim on 03/27/09 - 1:15 PM
#1
I'm adding a little bulkhead under my seat at the controls on my newer 13' to give me a place to mount rod holders in front of the helm and cover my new trolling motor battery installation. The bulkhead will be made of marine plywood or high density polyethylene stock (haven't decided yet).
I want to attach at the bottom of the seat and at the floor in a way that allows me to return the boat to stock condition (remove the bulkhead) if I ever give up the boat. I also stand on the seat sometimes when casting and this would give it an extra measure of support. I don't want to drill into the floor thereby protecting the hull from any more chance of water getting in in the future. Do you think 3M 5200 is a good choice for this?
I understand the fast cure is not a good idea. 3M says it will not hold on to HDPE parts (probably would be fine with wood though). If I did the wood, I would probably use thinner sheet stock and glass it for permanent seal against the elements.
Edited by Tom W Clark on 03/28/09 - 7:32 AM
Posted by ioptfm on 03/27/09 - 6:02 PM
#2
It would depend on how exactly it is going to be attached to both the seat and the floor. Wil there be any stress on it other than pressure from you standing on the seat?
Posted by Tom W Clark on 03/28/09 - 7:39 AM
#3
3M 5200 would be a poor choice, either FC or regular. Not because it won't stick well to PE (which is actually good in your case) but because you will never be able to remove it from the floor of the hull.
3M 4200 would be abetter choice but it will still be a real bear to remove if you ever have to.
I'm not sure there is any sealant/adhesive that will meet your requirements. I would just screw a cleat to the floor and then screw the bulkhead to the cleat.
Two screw holes will be easy enough to fill/patch in the future. However, if you have an old hull, there may not be any wood backing in the area where you propose to install this bulkhead.
If you use plywood, just paint it with a good epoxy modified oil paint to seal it up. I like Benjamin Moore's Alkyd Porch and Floor Enamel.