HOW? do you Mount stuff with no access to the back side?

[TN_Explorer]

After all the recent discussions on downriggers, I decided to mount the one that came with the boat. He had removed it & glassed the holes. I expected to find wood, but when I drilled out the filler, there's only about 3/8" of fiberglass. You guessed it -- absolutely no way to get to the back side to install a backing plate or bolts.

I had the same problem up front with the trolling motor & I used the rubber bushing inserts, but they couldn't hold up against the sideways pull of the motor & kept pulling out. I hate to admit it, but I ended up using wing anchors, like for drywall. I don't know how long they will last before they rust away, but hopefully by that time I will figure out how to properly mount this stuff when I can't get to the back.
emoScratch

 

[Guest]

You can get stainless toggle bolts that won't rust and hold like iron. I bet Bumblebeekid can hook you up.

 

[TN_Explorer]

Sounds like just exactly the ticket!! I haven't seen them, tho -- I'll try to hook up with BK - Thanks, Cheez!

Looking forward to seeing you at the picnic!!

 

[Guest]

See, I don't always make posts just to run up the numbers.

 

[Fuzzy]

Here is how I did it with a previous boat. Using a flat piece of steel (Lowe, Tractor Supply, Home Depot), drill bolt holes into the steel and tap the holes for threads. Drill the fiberglass holes to match the steel. Cut the steel for size. Drill a hole in the center of the fiberglass bolt holes using a hole saw. A hole large enough to squeeze the flat bar into the hole. Using some fiberglass resin and cloth, coat the small flat steel "bar" and hold it with clamps underneath the fiberglass, of course aligning the bolt holes. Once underneath reinforce the bolt holes and fill in the hole from the hole saw. Bolt down your downrigger, making sure to get both bolts on a bar in place before you start to tighten.

Fuzz

 

[TN_Explorer]

Thanks, Fuzzy --
That's a good idea. I had thought about cutting & access hole & doing something like that, just am hoping not to have to do any more fiberglass repair than I have to!!