attaching stuff to cabin interior

Mike_J · Posted: Thu Aug 23, 2012 1:05 am Post subject: attaching stuff to cabin interior

I am wanting to start attaching a few things to the cabin interior and don't want to drill through the cabin roof...
What are people using to attach stuff to the ceiling and other parts of the hull?
Once example is I would like to install an overhead rod holder in the cabin.
Thanks in advance.
Mike

colobear · Posted: Thu Aug 23, 2012 1:33 am Post subject:

I clean the fiberglass surface with alcohol, then typically use a block of Mahogany with a liberal coating of 4200 adhesive as the base. Sometimes I drill holes partway into the wood base and fill them with adhesive to give more gripping surface. Press the base onto the desired location and use hot glue drops at the corners to hold until the 4200 has cured then screw whatever it is to the mahogany block. This has worked well for me.

Captains Cat · Posted: Thu Aug 23, 2012 6:58 am Post subject:

I might add - use the 4200 and NOT 5200. 5200 will put it there forever. With 4200, it will hold fine but it can be removed without destroying anything.

Will-C

Red oak works pretty well, stain color of your choice. Save some of your money for gas you are going to need it. Smile

D.D

Sunbeam · Posted: Thu Aug 23, 2012 10:53 am Post subject:

Couple of ideas (some of which may not be suitable for your specific item, but I can't see it right now to know how it attaches):

1) Epoxy some sort of mounting block to the cabin surface and then mount your item to that. This could be a pre-formed fiberglass block, or a wood block, for example. Note that Starboard type material will not epoxy well.

2) Use Weld Mount* studs (or stand-offs) and then mount your item with those.

3) Use 3M VHB tape.

Sunbeam

*Weld Mount is a company that makes metal studs and standoffs, and also things like footman loops, wire-tie and cable holders, etc. The bases attach with very strong methacrylate glue (which they also make). The main limitation on them (for heavier items) is what you are attaching to. Because, for example, if you are attaching something heavy to gelcoat, and the gelcoat doesn't have a really good bond with the substrate, they can just pull off the gelcoat. Of course one can potentially remove a "loose" surface in a small area underneath them, but the main idea is to just consider the weight and force (tension, shear, peel) you are putting on them (i.e. trim tabs would probably not be a great choice to use them on). Quite a few boatbuilders are using Weld Mounts now to mount things such as fuel filters, wire runs, etc. in new construction.

ferret30 · Posted: Thu Aug 23, 2012 11:27 am Post subject:

Depending on year, some parts of the roof are cored. In our 2006, the lower outer section of the roof is cored, which I could verify by looking up into the holes where cables go into the radar arch. It's about 1/4" of coring. All the ceiling hardware (dome lights, cable clips) goes into this core.

But I've heard the roof was built differently at different times, so you'd want to verify this somehow before drilling!

Mike_J · Posted: Thu Aug 23, 2012 11:58 am Post subject:

Thanks all for the good ideas. I will go out and look for some block material and adhesive. The weldmount system looks good too. I will also check to see if there is a core to the ceiling for short screws!

jerry97230 · Posted: Thu Aug 23, 2012 2:30 pm Post subject:

Do try the VHB tape. My solar panels are attached to the top of my motorhome with VHB tape.
Jerry

ghone · Posted: Thu Aug 23, 2012 2:50 pm Post subject:

One tip I got from Larry Pardey years ago was to install the item temporarily with tape or velcro or something and live with it there for a while. What looks great at first may be really wrong in use. The 2011 I have is cored in the roof inboard a ways. I have used 4200 as well as marinetex in some areas. On smooth surfaces like slider box I used Industrial 3m velcro and works well.

Mike_J · Posted: Thu Aug 23, 2012 4:49 pm Post subject:

Thanks again. I will look for some VHB tape. Good idea George about not making a permanent mount at first.. Some strong double sided velcro might do the trick temporarily.

curioustraveler · Posted: Sun Jun 14, 2020 10:23 am Post subject:

Resurrecting this....is VHB still considered a good option for mounting items (gear hammock, etc?) Is it removable? I use gorrilla's double sided tape at home to install security cameras and it works great but haven't seen what's left if I try to remove them.

Mike_J · Posted: Sun Jun 14, 2020 10:27 am Post subject:

After a few years (I guess almost 8!), the tape let go and left a bit of residue, but that is not too unexpected.

thataway · Posted: Sun Jun 14, 2020 11:50 am Post subject:

Wandering Sagebrush · Posted: Sun Jun 14, 2020 12:21 pm Post subject:

ssobol · Posted: Sun Jun 14, 2020 12:46 pm Post subject: