Drift boat rail installation - adhesive?

ampersat · 12-01-2003, 01:47 PM

The eastsider restoration continues. Today I bent my carefully crafted rails onto the boat. The front still looks a little off but that's because the boat is a little off. My hands shook the whole time I did it - one wrong move and I'd have some carefully crafted firewood.

Anyway, I'm about to start shooting screws in to affix the rails to the hull. One boat builder I'd talked to a while back said to use Liquid Nails between the rail and the boat as an adhesive. I'm looking for opinions here. I wouldn't think using adhesive would make much of a difference but you never know.

What's your opinion?

ps: pics of the rails clamped to the boat are coming. the green hull with varnished white oak rails looks really sweet.

Steelie Steve · 12-01-2003, 01:50 PM

The addition of the Liquid Nails (adhesive) will definitely make the connection much stronger. The downside would be the lack of room for error and the poor soul that has to try and remove it in the future... :shocked:

Looking forward to more pics of that boat.

Steve

skrimmy · 12-01-2003, 02:32 PM

Duct Tape...the answer to everything, Ampersat! :grin:

FishinMission · 12-01-2003, 03:57 PM

Been seein' some ads about "Gorilla Glue"...but don't know how it is. Their ad say's it's the strongest (Uh yeah..O.K.) Anybody tried that stuff??

Mark

Woody · 12-01-2003, 04:55 PM

Use thickened epoxy. West and System 3 both work great. Mix the epoxy according to the instructions and then add the thicking agent 'till it's as thick as you want. I bought some wood flour when I first picked up the material for my boat. Then I figured out that was just really fine sawdust. From then on, I started using the dust from my belt sander.

You will have to use clamps to hold it until you can get a screw in, then move up the line.

The reason I like epoxy is it is bullet proof glue, it won't loose it's grip when it gets wet and it seals the wood.

ampersat · 12-01-2003, 05:15 PM

After considering it for a while, here's how I see it: what I'm really gluing together is the paint on the boat and the varnish on the wood. The bond is only as good as the weakest link and neither paint nor varnish could be construed as a structural material. With that in mind, is it really worth the extra trouble?

big foot · 12-01-2003, 05:41 PM

Have used the Gorilla Glue for about a year for different wood projects, very strong and water proof . Only draw back it expands every place you don't want it to. Would have to second Woodys recomend on system three Expoxy,and do go to the extra time and work to use it. You won't regret it . Bob

cully · 12-02-2003, 05:35 AM

woody, other thicking agents to use in West epoxy are bleached baking flour or baby talc.

BW · 12-02-2003, 06:08 AM

The reason you use glue and wood screws is to prevent squeaks and other noises. At least that is why carpenters build stairs that way.

Woody · 12-02-2003, 06:19 AM

Amp, I didn't realize that the surfaces you were gluing had a finish on them. Obviously, epoxy wouldn't help seal the surfaces in that case. It would seal and protect the joint from trapped water though.

Trapped water=Rot

Silver Hilton · 12-02-2003, 08:32 AM

I had exactly the same thought as woody. While the glue may not add much strength, it will seal the joint. Though my own approach would be to sand down to bare wood to get a better bond to get the strength. You could do it just at the ends, where it would have the leverage.

I'd just use a marine epoxy, either West of System 3.

CHUMSALMON · 12-02-2003, 08:48 AM

woody and silver hilton have it right. I would also use the thickend epoxy, only if you could sand down to the bare wood to make a good bond. Other than that you would just be sealing it to keep it from the bad stuff known as rot.
Curious to see what the pictures show.
chumsalmon

ampersat · 12-02-2003, 10:37 AM

Here's pics from yesterday when I'd just bent the wood onto the boat. Today, I'm shooting screws to secure it to the fiberglass hull. I'm using construction adhesive between the two and I'm going to go back with high grade silicone and fill the gaps.

CHUMSALMON · 12-02-2003, 12:16 PM

amp.,
i now see what you are doing. I also see that you discovered the pvc clamping system (it's pretty handy!) Me personally, i would still do the epoxy but, what you are doing i'm sure will be fine...especially with the screws.
The boat looks great and you should get a lot of enjoyment out of it. So good job and have fun!
chumsalmon

Steelie Steve · 12-02-2003, 11:17 PM

Ampersat - That boat is looking very nice. Looks like a job well done! [img]graemlins/applause.gif[/img]

I don't think you will be able to name it the "Ugly Eastsider" after your done though. :grin:

Steve

Hoosier Daddy · 12-02-2003, 11:54 PM

What about removing some of the finish under the rails and coating with unthickened epoxy, then after that cures, hitting it with thickened epoxy and screwing your rails on?
You could also consider using a bedding compound if all you want to do is keep water out of the joint. I think there are some tube-type combination bedding compound/adhesive goops out there. I'm thinking 3M, I've used it as bedding, but can't remember which one it is. GI Joe's had it in their boating stuff.

My 0.02 on Gorilla Glue is not good. The one time I really used it was on a bow project and it failed pretty drastically. It's OK, but I think epoxy would be better. I just don't trust the stuff anymore.