can I screw some hooks into the boat ?

[RobertH]

Hi Folks,

I want to attach some handles onto the boat's cockpit area, underneath the driver & passenger dashboard areas so I can stow gear there securely. I'd attach a pair of simple drawer type handles to each side and use a rope or strap between them to hold my esky or whatever in place.

Can I just drill holes into the fibreglass and put screws in to hold such handles on ? If so what sort of screws can I use ?

Thank you

 

[zipper]

I am not familiar with the build of the Sugar Sand boats. I did find on my 07 AR 230 that they put carpet covered marine plywood on both the forward and aft bulkheads of the head/storage compartment/locker. I found that to take screws very nicely to hang gear. Instead of drilling holes in the fiberglass, expecially on the outer hull, how about sticking some plywood on a surface with 3m 5200 and then you can drill all the holes you want in the plywood. I don't own a Sugar Sand so I don't know what surfaces are OK to drill or what is on the other side. Just a suggestion.

Edit: Use S.S. hardware.

 

[jdkaeser]

You should be fine. If it is going to hold some weight, I'd try to add a backing plate of some sort like a piece of aluminum and use a machine screw or bolt. Also, when drilling fiberglass go slow and run the drill in reverse to dimple the gelcoat first before you drill. Helps to keep from getting spider cracks in the gelcoat.

 

[RobertH]

Thank you ! Very helpful. I did get it done, will post photos shortly

 

[RobertH]

Done, should be very helpful for taking food, towels etc. I'll just run a rope between the 2 handles to keep things in place