Attaching stainless steel to an epoxy surface

[Whidbey Wherry]

I bought some skid plate for the bow and stern of my wherry. I had planned to attach them with #6 SS screws, but that will break the epoxy/fiberglass surface, which could allow water to seep in even if I coated the screws with varnish. I thought of drilling oversize holes, then filling with thickened epoxy. I can then drill holes in that for the screws. The other alternative is to attach them with epoxy after roughening the inside surface, but I don't know if that will hold.

You guys seem to have an answer for everything, so I thought that I would ask.

Thanks, Jerry

[Peter Malcolm Jardine]

Use goop... caulking. If you want a clean clean job, just dip the screw threads in caulk, then thread em in. pilot holes of course.

[Whidbey Wherry]

Is goop 3M's Marine Adhesive Sealant 5200?

[Don Kurylko]

Simply bed the skid plates in thickened epoxy and fill the screw holes with same. Attach while wet and let cure for a few days. The holes will be perfectly sealed. Epoxy casting fastenings and hardware in place is a valid and proven technique, as long as the hull is also glued and sealed with epoxy.

[JimConlin]

5200 is far too permanent for most such uses. When the skid plate needs to be removed, it will be very difficult. Instead, bed the whole plate in either traditional bedding compound or with a polysulfide sealant. Anoint each fastening lavishly.

[Bob Smalser]

Bedding Hardware...from the FAQ:

http://www.woodenboat-ubb.com/vbulletin/upload/showthread.php?t=9382

http://pic3.picturetrail.com/VOL12/1104763/7309305/95249348.jpg

[Thorne]

I'll second Bob's suggestion of Vulkem 116 and red lead -- cause if your boat (Heaven Forfend!) ever **uses** those skidplates at speed, you'll want a flexible bed to allow the metal to absorb the shock and/or bend a bit without cracking the attachment to the hull. Vulkem 116 cures very slowly, remains flexible for a long time, and still fills gaps well.

[Mike Vogdes]

If your construction is plywood covered with glass set in epoxy then I would do as Peter says. Boat Life, 3M 101 or even 5200, after all a skid plate is a permanent part.