Glen-L.com

I am doing the interior woodwork on my Malahini. I plan to attach a bumper to the sides, and started thinking about how to attach this. I was thinking that since the side plywood is only 1/4 inch, I might want to create a reinforcing "shelf" on the interior side which may also be functional (cup holders, etc.) Another option (which would resist vertical loads on the bumpers better) would be to create vertical reinforcing ribs on the interior. Has anyone done anything similar, or have any words of wisdom about how they attached or reinforced a bumper installation? (Pics are welcomed!)

Thanks,
soedesh

I epoxied a 2"x2" x 1/4" backer block at the screw locations where I installed my rub rail. My rails are also epoxied into place, and combined it would take enough force to rip the sides off my boat before the rail would come loose. The only reason I backed up the screws in the first place was to give the threads something to 'bite' into till the epoxy cured. My rails flex slightly and the screws had to bear the pressure till the epoxy cured.

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Ian (aka Iggy)
My Malahini Build

I did not put them on. I had the mahogany to do it, but decided not to use them.

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2011 MALAHINI - KICKED IN THE HEAD

I wake up with a 16ft woody every morning
Video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=534DBtp1Cnc
Website: https://sites.google.com/site/2011malahini/

I would dispense with the screws and glue them on with epoxy. Or you could use a couple of screws just to make sure that they're glued straight, but then remove them and fill in the holes with epoxy. The screws don't really provide holding strength - it's the epoxy doing the job.

I didn't put them on either...the spray rails keep the boat pretty dang dry. I've only had water come in twice. Once because my daughter was flipping water back at us with her hand and once because of entering a wake at the wrong angle. Even coming off plane quickly I don't get any wash back in the splash well.

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Bill

I told my wife we needed a three-car garage for my projects...she told me to ask her for permission next time before I buy a house.
http://www.unitybuild.net