How deep is your bung...

[Kelsey]

What is the minimum thickness of stock that can be properly bunged? I want to line the inside of my hull with 3/8" x 2 1/2" mahogany strips, (opting for this thin stock, so as to take the curve of the hull) but not sure if it'll hold a bung...

[David Tabor (sailordave)]

Wellll, you "probably" could bung that if you used small screws and .25" bungs. A better alternative would be to use oval headed (brass) screws and leave them exposed. Easier all around and still attractive.

[Scott Rosen]

I wouldn't bung a 3/8 strip that's bent to the hull's shape. The bends will make it even harder to get a satisfactory depth for the countersink.

It sounds as if you are planning to put a ceiling on the entire interior, with the ceiling planks fastened to the frames. Is that correct? What is the boat's design? Sometimes you can put ceiling in certain conspicous places and get the full effect, without having to do the entire hull. If you are able to do it in a couple of small areas only, you can use thicker stock without the worry of adding too much weight.

[Hughman]

Use the oval head screws. You will need to remove the ceiling for periodic maintenance.

[Dave Fleming]

IMOOP, it would seem to be best to use oval head screws and finishing/cup washers.
There are going to be times when you will wish to remove that ceiling for whatever reason and the combo I mentioned is ever so much easier to remove and replace. It is standard practice in the trade. You will not need many to hold the individual ceiling strakes on. Too many fasteners will make the area look 'busy'. Use a material that goes with the 'decor' of the interior joinerwork ie: SS or silly Bronze or Brass or Chromed Brass.

***Hint*** with all interior exposed fasteners, make sure the screw slots are lined up one to another. Especially in areas like the helmstation/pilothouse. Little things like that if just screwed in any old way can become 'eye catchers' and act similar to a piece of food stuck in between two teeth. A source of irritation and distraction. So the screws being more or less horizontal should have the slots aligned the same, ya folla?

Yeah Yeah Yeah, I realize it sounds a bit 'anal' but think on it for a bit...

[ 12-29-2002, 02:01 PM: Message edited by: Dave Fleming ]