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Kurt_Loup
04-07-2010, 09:22 PM
I've run into a dilemma. I had to resort to cutting the rear deck of my Tarpon to add a 4" deck plate so that I can have access to the inside of the kayak for mounting a trolling motor bracket. The problem is the deck is not flat and I have 5/8" gaps on the sides of the deck plate along the shear line. On the crown of the deck there is no gap. I messed around with some rubber industrial gasket material I have, but that didn't taper that well. I also tried closed cell foam, but I didn't like the looks of that either. The next plan is to fill the gaps with fiberglass reinforced, thickened epoxy. After the epoxy cures, I will remove the "gasket" and seal it up with 5200. Before I try this tomorrow, anyone have any other alternatives? I think I need something to fill the gap that is relatively stiff so that the mounting screws will not distort the shape of the deck plate.

Kurt
Kurt_Loup
04-08-2010, 04:37 PM
I decided to go with epoxy. I added 1/4" pieces of fiberglass, a bit of graphite powder to color it black and colloidal silica to thicken it to the consistency of vaseline so the epoxy would retain its shape. I lined the deck plate and the deck with masking tape to keep the epoxy from sticking. I put the epoxy in a zip lock bag and snipped a corner off so that I could sqeeze it out under the rim. After sitting out in the sun most of the day, the epoxy set up enough to sand the edges smooth. Tomorrow, I will separate the rim from the epoxy once the it fully cures.

http://i425.photobucket.com/albums/pp336/kurtloup/IMG_0038.jpg

http://i425.photobucket.com/albums/pp336/kurtloup/IMG_0040.jpg
pedalmedic
04-08-2010, 04:43 PM
looks clean!
derrelt
04-08-2010, 04:43 PM
Looking good, Kurt. You are a rigging fool.
Branch_Office
04-08-2010, 05:09 PM
You are the man! That whole job looks awesome. Keep us updated with the pics as well. Thanks again for sharing with us!
Kurt_Loup
04-08-2010, 08:38 PM
Thanks. Now that I added a piece of aluminum under the deck to back up the well nuts, the trolling motor mount is solid. Even adding the deck plate, I still had trouble reaching the back bolt location to add a washer and nut.
Yak-a-Lou
04-08-2010, 08:48 PM
You're welcome.

I think I did a fantastic job as a silent sounding board!


BTW... Well done!
RedFinn
04-08-2010, 08:54 PM
son of a bit#$h ,NASA we have lift off you are the MAN !!!!
Branch_Office
04-08-2010, 09:15 PM
Kurt, if you have access to the back side via the deck plate why would you use well nuts? Why not use lock nuts instead? Just curious....
Kurt_Loup
04-08-2010, 09:38 PM
Kurt, if you have access to the back side via the deck plate why would you use well nuts? Why not use lock nuts instead? Just curious....

I tried well nuts first due to no access, but they didn't hold due to length issues. The Tarpon 160 has a u shaped intention for a rudder in the up position. The indention allowed the well nuts to lift up towards the mounting bracket without expanding properly. Since I drilled 3/8" holes for the well nuts, I decided to keep the well nuts in place to fill the holes. I used an over length bolt and cranked down on the well nuts. They expanded enough to fill the holes. I placed the plate over the longer bolts and used a lock nut on it. Belt and suspenders. A flatter deck would have been much easier to deal with.
LuvDaTigers
04-09-2010, 08:18 AM
Blasphemy, Kurt. you have a plastic kayak!?!?!?!?
Looks sharp Kurt. Job well done, as always.
northshoretiger
04-09-2010, 09:38 AM
Don't take this the wrong way Kurt, but I hate you - not really. That is one slick and inventive way to sove the problem AND make it look very nice. Adding the carbon for color is really going the extra mile and I think that it is an excellent job!
Kurt_Loup
04-09-2010, 06:13 PM
Blasphemy, Kurt. you have a plastic kayak!?!?!?!?
Looks sharp Kurt. Job well done, as always.

Thanks. Would it help if I told you that I've had it for nearly 2 years and I've never taken it out. It won't be replacing my canoe.
Kurt_Loup
04-09-2010, 06:19 PM
Don't take this the wrong way Kurt, but I hate you - not really. That is one slick and inventive way to sove the problem AND make it look very nice. Adding the carbon for color is really going the extra mile and I think that it is an excellent job!

Thanks. I thought about really getting crazy and incorporating some of the carbon fiber I have left over from another kayak project.