Securing dock box to bow deck

[Kquaine]

I am in the process of putting a dock box on my bow deck to store my unused lines and other related items. I’m assuming stainless steel right angle brackets 1-2” long per side should be good. My question is what the best method to secure the bracket to the deck? Use wood screws and sealant? Drill and epoxy in an insert into deck and then use machine screws? Other methods?Thank you,Kevin

 

[SEVEN]

SS wood screws. Embed them in 5200.

 

[Kquaine]

SS wood screws. Embed them in 5200.

Thanks for the input. What size and length of stainless wood screw would you recommend?

 

[bostonhatteras]

https://www.fisheriessupply.com/perko-table-mount-removable-angled-bracket/0719dp0chr
If it were me doing it, I’d use a somewhat removable method. These angle brackets from perko will allow you to securely fasten the box yet remove it easily if necessary. You may want to add feet to a dock box to assist with overcoming the deck camber. That’s pretty much the difference between deck and dock boxes.

 

[bostonhatteras]

there might be a better way than an insert. If you choose an epoxy that will bond stainless and most won’t, you can use relatively small screws for the bottom bracket while relying mainly upon the epoxy bond. This 3m product is an expensive buy in but it’s an indispensable product once you own it. You’d only need to remove the paint in the footprint of the bottom bracket so you bond to polyester skin and not paint https://www.uline.com/Product/Detai...medium=pla&utm_term=S-22870&utm_campaign=Tape

 

[tjshuler]

https://www.fisheriessupply.com/perko-table-mount-removable-angled-bracket/0719dp0chr
If it were me doing it, I’d use a somewhat removable method. These angle brackets from perko will allow you to securely fasten the box yet remove it easily if necessary. You may want to add feet to a dock box to assist with overcoming the deck camber. That’s pretty much the difference between deck and dock boxes.

This is the way to go. You need to have a way to remove the dock boxes from time to time to remove the "schmutz" that will collect under them.

 

[Pascal]

The most important thing is to protect the core. Drill an oversized hole, fill with thickened epoxy then drill and screw. Or better, drill and tap into the epoxy to use a machine screw. If you go that way use the hardest filler like West 404

 

[bostonhatteras]

The most important thing is to protect the core. Drill an oversized hole, fill with thickened epoxy then drill and screw. Or better, drill and tap into the epoxy to use a machine screw. If you go that way use the hardest filler like West 404

I’ve threading into six 10 epoxy several times. Always thought it too soft and never truly trusted it. I’ll try with resin and 404 next time I’m interested to see how much different the holding will be Good tip.

 

[bigbill]

what pascal said above but one step better is to drill the oversized hole then dig out the coring around the inside of the hole ( an allen wrench in a drill will remove balsa or foam core about 1/2 around the inside) then fill with epoxy and re drill

 

[SeaEric]

I had flat bottom dock boxes on the foredeck of my 46 Matthews MY. I used 1" thick Starboard and made 2" square feet with oversized mounting holes to sit them on. Bedded in 5200 with SS screws and big SS fender washers inside the boxes. Worked perfectly.

 

[Kquaine]

A dockmate suggested going screwless. He “glued” the dock box to the deck with 4200. Advantages being no deck perforations and the box can be removed if needed. Any thoughts on this method?

 

[SKYCHENEY]

All sounds great until it comes loose in a heavy sea. I wouldn't do it.

 

[Kquaine]

All sounds great until it comes loose in a heavy sea. I wouldn't do it.

That’s kinda what I was thinking. Between high winds and/or heavy seas over the bow, I’m not sure how long it would last. Maybe for a dock princess but not sure it’s good for a cruising boat. Thanks

 

[rsmith]

I’ve seen gel cote rip off the deck from stuff glued to it.

 

[Bob Quinn]

What I was going to do... but haven't yet:
I bought a piece of fiberglass rod, about 1.5" diameter and some stainless steel threaded inserts.
I was going to slice the rod into pieces the same thickness as the stainless steel inserts and then epoxy those down with the insert in the center of the puck. It would probably work, and you would be able to unscrew from it, but perhaps a lot of extra work and you would have to sand down through the paint / or gel coat and then paint the whole thing when done. I thought about making a bunch of them to try to sell but meh, too many projects.

 

[jim rosenthal]

I did something like that- I poured epoxy plugs into the deck and then installed the inserts into the plugs. So far, so good, after a few years.

 

[krush]

All sounds great until it comes loose in a heavy sea. I wouldn't do it.

What about fiberglass down some sort of block that can then be screwed into? Then no holes in the deck to cause rot/leaks.

 

[SKYCHENEY]

What about fiberglass down some sort of block that can then be screwed into? Then no holes in the deck to cause rot/leaks.

Or just drill oversize, dig out the core, fill with epoxy and re-drill for the fastener like you do for any install into a cored area.

You don't need to reinvent the wheel here.

 

[jim rosenthal]

What Sky said. Worked fine for my boat.