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Question 1: Have any of you used Velcro type fasteners (of course the industrial ones) to keep things tidy and in place on the deck of your boat. Do they hold up to UV, water and fuel/oil without giving up and falling off. Thinking about using them under a battery tray to keep it from sliding around. I have it strapped down, but I see it moving from time to time. I prefer to not drill any more holes in the deck.

Question 2: If I have to drill holes in the deck for hold downs and stuff, and have no wood under that location, what is the best method of attachment considering strength, possible future damage from loads, water tightness and appearance? I have heard that drilling oversized holes, using a tool to remove an amount of foam under that spot, sucking out the debris and filling it with a good epoxy product was a good way to create a spot that could be tapped for a screw. Does this sound right?

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Hey Burtim, there may be another option for securing items on your boat. I have been implementing small vaccum/suction cup hold downs with (depending on the items) rubber bungie cords. I hate drilling holes, I've fabricated a 4 rod holder which attaches to the starboard side of my console with small but very strong vaccum cups. Since I dive I've purchase dive tank ranks that attach to my gunnels via a uniquely designed vaccum cup with integrated handle for gear storage. The vaccum cups are removable which is great for when there not needed. Search the web you may find some interesting items.;)

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I have used Velcro, it dose break down over time. it depends on the exposure time in the sun, water dose not have much effect But it will retain water. I have some two inch wide Velcro I got at Home Depot peel and stick type.

? # 2 I use short screws with 5200

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I don't think the suction cups would work. This is non-skid and I can't spare any space to accomodate the thickness of the cups. Good idea though. I actually have some of them elsewhere.

Also, I don't think the short screws would have enough hold power for a 60 pound trolling motor battery.

Appreciate the input. Anybody chime in on the epoxy under the gelcoat idea as a good foundation for a screw hole.

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I did that epoxy thing to anchor my leaning post and console. See my project album.

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QUOTE: with small but very strong vaccum cups.

Dauntless-n-Miami is quite correct as he stated above. The devices to which he refers are undoubtedly Seasuckers. You should be able to find them at Seasucker.com

You cannot use these on the corrugated surface of the Whaler non skid flooring, and totally impractical for such permanent instillations such as battery hold-downs. But on any smooth surface, these active suction pump devices are great for tie downs or hold downs...even for stand up scuba tanks.

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I use 3/4" "Mahogany" stock, (finished) and "5200" w/S/S screws where ever I have to make a good solid mount. I try not to add too much wood to the hull as it all will have to be re-finished at some point. I have used the "Velcro" Tie down strap's, they work well for 1, maybe 2 season's then the sun/U.V. get's them.

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I had purchased some industiral strength velcro to secure some new bow step cushions I bought recently. I was also looking for a way to stabilize a battery so that it wouldn't slide back against the transom. So far, a little ten inch strip under the battery case is working quite well. I was on the water for a while on Friday and the battery stayed put. Even if the velcro needs replaced often, its no big deal. It's an easy fix without having to drill holes. (BTW, the battery is also strapped, so I only needed to prevent lateral movement.)

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3M locking strips work better than velcro in some uses too. I removed the screws to my bilge cover in the rear of my Montauk, filled them temporarily, and have the cover attached with the 3m Strips. I want easy access to clean the bilge and to get at the bilge pump without backing out screw and resealing every time.

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After the research I finished mounting my trolling motor battery yesterday. I drilled the deck with 1/4" holes and made a tool to remove some of the foam and create a cavity. I injected about a 1/4 cup of marine epoxy under each mounting point up to the deck. I predrilled and then put stainless steel screws coated with 3M 5200 into the holes. Two screws each on the footman loops for the Yeti strap and four more on a modified battery tray and I think it will be permanent enough for my needs. I just didn't want to put any holes in my deck if I didn't have to. I didn't want to see a 65 pound battery come loose in rough water either!