Holes in aluminum bow

[td2pts]

Finally got the Miller Marine "ancohr nest". Very excited about addition, but not too excited about installing it (don't like drilling holes in the boat). Anyway, in order to install the anchor nest, I need to remove a "rope guide thingy", a cleat and a "wedge" cleat. The anchor nest will cover four of the six holes. I want to reintall the wedge cleat behind the nest so it will cover one of the holes left from the cleat. What do I fill those holes with? I was thinking of using flush mount stainless steel bolts with a nut on the back. Any suggestions?

thanks,
TD

[luckyr]

I am glad I am not the only one that doesn't like drilling holes. My nest sat there for three weeks before I could muster the courage to drill, after four hours of calculations for square and strait. Your flush mount bolts sound good or you could fit some diamond plate and have tacked down.

[IDWITHELD]

I filled all my bolt holes with marine grade RTV (black and super gooey). Then make a gasket ring around the bolt holes with the RTV. I used enough to see it squirting out under torque. This way I knew I had two levels of water isolation (the ring and the threads).

[Gundog]

Finally got the Miller Marine "ancohr nest". Very excited about addition, but not too excited about installing it (don't like drilling holes in the boat). Anyway, in order to install the anchor nest, I need to remove a "rope guide thingy", a cleat and a "wedge" cleat. The anchor nest will cover four of the six holes. I want to reintall the wedge cleat behind the nest so it will cover one of the holes left from the cleat. What do I fill those holes with? I was thinking of using flush mount stainless steel bolts with a nut on the back. Any suggestions?

thanks,
TD

Thanks for the purchase. I do have a rubber gasket that fits the bottom of the bracket and can be cut to the right length with a knife. You can pick one of these up @ Fisherman's, Stevens Marine or call me and I can mail you one they run about a 10 spot.

Silicone in the holes under the gasket would probably work real nice stick some duct tape on the bottom of the hole to hold the silicone from just squirting through. Let me know if I can be any help to you.
Mike

[td2pts]

Thanks Mike, I actually did purchase the rubber gasket and it is not going to work for me. Anyway, I think the screws are going to work, I did use silicone on a couple of the odd holes that I couldn't use the screw for.

BTW, I was wondering what the "notch" on the end of the bracket is for?. I assume it is for the chain, but am not really sure.


Great product - thanks a bunch.

TD

[Gundog]

Thanks Mike, I actually did purchase the rubber gasket and it is not going to work for me. Anyway, I think the screws are going to work, I did use silicone on a couple of the odd holes that I couldn't use the screw for.

BTW, I was wondering what the "notch" on the end of the bracket is for?. I assume it is for the chain, but am not really sure.


Great product - thanks a bunch.

TD

The notch in the end is for releasing the anchor from the driver seat. Before you get to where you want to drop anchor push the anchor out until the balance of the anchor makes it want to fall in the water slide a link of the chain in that grove sideways. The anchor should be hanging at an angle towards the water put your rope next to you in the drivers seat or tiller. Now drive the boat to the location you want to drop anchor and pull back on the line it will realease the chain from the grove and let the rope slide through your hand deploying the anchor. Go to my web site there are pictures of the anchor hanging from the chain grove and read the instructions they are probably better than I just described.
Thanks Mike

[td2pts]

I see - that makes great sense. Now, I see the pictures you have and I am wondering why the nest is mounted so far foward. I considered this when mounting it but it did not "fit" very well and did not feel very stable unless it was butted right up against the very front of the bow (pulled back). Should I consider moving it forward? I like the idea of having it take up as little space as possible but also want it to be stable and solid as I bounce though the chop. I will try to post some photos if I get a chance.

thanks again,
TD

[td2pts]

I filled all my bolt holes with marine grade RTV (black and super gooey). Then make a gasket ring around the bolt holes with the RTV. I used enough to see it squirting out under torque. This way I knew I had two levels of water isolation (the ring and the threads).

Where do I get this "marine grade RTV"?

Thanks,
TD

[Gundog]

I see - that makes great sense. Now, I see the pictures you have and I am wondering why the nest is mounted so far foward. I considered this when mounting it but it did not "fit" very well and did not feel very stable unless it was butted right up against the very front of the bow (pulled back). Should I consider moving it forward? I like the idea of having it take up as little space as possible but also want it to be stable and solid as I bounce though the chop. I will try to post some photos if I get a chance.

thanks again,
TD

TD,
I recomend mounting it just far enough so when the anchor is being retrieved it does not swing in and hit the boat. Mock up the bracket and turn the anchor side ways hanging and make it far enough so the anchor if swinging a little does not contact the boat. The pictures on my web site are of my boat and I have a closed bow with an access hatch for my anchor ball and rope, the Anchor Locker on my boat is mounted that far out so I can open the hatch without removing my anchor. The different boats have a differing amount the bow tapers back so that distance can be different for each boat. Another thing to keep in mind is the structure of the boat you are mounting it too you may need to miss a cross member or some other obstruction.

I also now make some brackets that have no mounting holes. These brackets are for those people who want to match an existing hole pattern or who would like to get the bracket welded on. At this time these new brackets are a special order only from me.
Mike

[IDWITHELD]

Where do I get this "marine grade RTV"?

Thanks,
TD

GI joes, fishermans marine. Check the boating sections.