Securing a fastner to side of boat above the galley 26X

[Gary N]

I have seen in the mods section that there are many interesting storage additions to the galley and the area above the galley going back to the companionway. For example this is a good example of the type of internal shelf that must have a connection to the side of the boat:



What is the best way to fasten a piece of wood to the side wall above the galley? I assume that the side of the boat above the galley is double skinned but how much distance is there between the inner and the outer skin?

[The Mutt]

Securing to the side is not always the way to go, if possible look above up and secure to the inner liner on the cabin roof. The hull and inner skin on "Imagine" our is very close together, if the side was the only spot I could secure I would be fibreglassing attachment points to the inner wall.

Glenn

[Duane Dunn, Allegro]

Almost all the items we have installed are screwed to the liner with short screws. The space behind is anywhere from none to up to an inch. If the area you are attaching flexes when pressed you should be fine. If it feels solid, be very careful drilling the pilot holes as it can be impossible to tell when to stop. In some areas the liner is so thin it will not hold a screw. For these places I have slid a piece of 1/4" plywood behind it to get something for the screw to bite into. There are a few places I used white caulk as glue and it has held well but I would not use it for anything that carried much weight.

Everything you see in these pictures is screwed on.

[mike uk]

I'm in the process of fitting curtains to the side windows so I'm particularly interested in how you have secured your curtain rails.

The boat liner at that point seems to become a single skin to the outside and it's not very thick.

How have you done yours? Short screws?

Thanks
Mike

[J.Teixeira]

Hi Gary

Those pictures are from my boat...
The galley shelfs do not "touch" the side wall.
The "miracle" comes from the vertical structures that go down to the bilge area.
They are bolted solid to the vertical walls of the galley and bilge.
That was done 10 years ago and it's still there.

If you want a solid hold to the liner you must create a mass to hold to under the liner.
If you have an opening near by do what Duane is suggesting (insert a thin piece of wood under the liner)
If there is no opening drill a small hole on the liner and inject a little of two component glue on the hole and bolt there what you want. Use a metal-mechanic bolt the exact size off the hole and cover it with silicone
The clock and barometer where bolted like that 12 years ago...

[Gary N]

Those pictures are from my boat...
The galley shelfs do not "touch" the side wall.
The "miracle" comes from the vertical structures that go down to the bilge area.
They are bolted solid to the vertical walls of the galley and bilge.
That was done 10 years ago and it's still there.

Ok I see what you have done then. Really clever and impressive. I like the way you used the sides of the galley for the support and I think I will explore that idea and see what I can do.

Thanks,
Gary

[kmclemore]

At the risk of repeating myself... here's what I think is the easy way around the whole situation... and they provide some vibration cushioning as well...

http://www.macgregorsailors.com/forum/v ... 17#p179317

[DaveB]

Not knowing until you drill mounting holes the strongest method would be to rivit, the rivit only protrudes past the back of liner 1/8-1/4 inches than shrinks as you apply pressure so there is only 1/6-1/8 inch prudruding. rivits come in diffrent diamiters and lengths. Just drill hole and measure thickness of glass. This type would be for mounting Aluminum or stainless steel brackets than mount your item to these. This means haveing a small L bracket mounted to back of wood than rivit the L part to hull, you also can use 3M 4200 were wood connects to liner for extra strength after acitone wash to get rid of wax, sand area were the adhisive will go with 120 grit sandpaper first.
Dave

I have seen in the mods section that there are many interesting storage additions to the galley and the area above the galley going back to the companionway. For example this is a good example of the type of internal shelf that must have a connection to the side of the boat:



What is the best way to fasten a piece of wood to the side wall above the galley? I assume that the side of the boat above the galley is double skinned but how much distance is there between the inner and the outer skin?

[K9Kampers]

My response in a previous thread on the same subject:

I formed these SS brackets to tuck behind the bottom of the top liner and catch the top of the bottom liner. They extend out perpendicularly from the cabin wall and secure the midpoint of a shelf or cabinet without need for drilling extra holes in the liner. As I go thru various functional mockups of interior cabinetry, these brackets can relocate as needed.

[csm]

I with Teixeira; I like to bolt to something solid, and avoid using the liner for support of all but the lightest items. If I have to attach to the liner, a backing plate is my second choice. I avoid glassing, because I ususally make a mess of it. I have also used wellnuts, which are really simple to install and quite effective. I've had one wellnut pull out (knocking wood), but the liner is really thin at that location. I haven't tried it yet, but I do recall someone posting a method where you drill a fairly large hole (maybe 1/2") and prepare a plug from an open cell foam soaked in epoxy. As I recall the foam should be wrapped around a small dowel (maybe a kithen match stick) which will aid insertion, and serve as a pilot hole after the epoxy has set. I think I'll try this on the hole where the wellnut pulled out. Good luck.

[csm]

I really need to start reading my posts before I hit the submit button