Holes don't line up

steplift20 · #1 04-23-2018, 09:42 AM

I bought round rail bases to replace the broken ones And of course the holes didn't line up , so I kept the old ones in when and if I do replace them I have to drill two new holes, what should I use to fill the holes that are there and when I redrill them there going to be very close to the ones that are there now, Thanks If and when I do it I will do it in the fall Or next spring

phatdaddy · #2 04-23-2018, 03:28 PM

I would drill out the existing holes oversize, the fill with epoxy/filler mix. Then mark new holes, do it again, then small pilot hole and re attach. I guess your talking about the bow rail, if so, i thru bolted mine with fender washers on the bottom

steplift20 · #3 04-23-2018, 08:34 PM

Phatdaddy Would you use Marinetex? Yes you are right,sorry I didn't mention it was the bow rail

scook · #4 04-23-2018, 11:22 PM

Be careful drilling through the deck. I’ve broken a few drill bits going through into the carpet headliner in my ‘85 - it grabs the bit and snaps it off.

steplift20 · #5 04-24-2018, 06:59 AM

Scoop thanks for the warning but I don't have a carpet under the holes but I did see ,when you go in the cabin ,the floor in the cabin has a crack on the bottom port side the flexes when you stand on the cabin floor so I have to repair that too, but I never worked with fiberglass I think I'm just going to put a piece of fiber tape and epoxy over it. What do you think?

phatdaddy · #6 04-24-2018, 07:02 AM

If i was going to use marinetex, i would still put epoxy on the raw wood. I have used that 5 minute stuff from locktite (I think) that comes in a syringe that mixes as it comes out.

Another trick to filling the existing holes is take toothpicks, small bamboo skewers, or golf tees and saturate them with epoxy and put in screw holes. After they cure, cut and sand, then put a small dab of marinetex to finish.

When i say epoxy, polyester resin is fine, i just have better luck mixing small batches of epoxy. Whatever you have or more comfortable working with.

Or just fill and re-drill, i have a tendency to overthink the simplest projects

steplift20 · #7 04-24-2018, 07:53 AM

Phatdaddy I tend to overthink the simplest solutions too especially when it comes to my boat, like I said I have a crack on the floor on my deck in the cabin area I'm going to put some fiber tape over it and cover it with epoxy I know it's probably not the right way to do it but it should fix it like the holes to plug up if it was in my home no problem but on my boat, lol that's a differant story I over think too