Mounting bow plate?

[S.E.R.E.NITY NOW]

Hello,

I'm working on putting together a 2022 Smokercraft Alaskan 13 DLX and I'm putting a bow mounted trolling motor on it. I had to make a bow plate to accommodate this but I'm unsure what the best way to mount it to the gunnel would be? Rivets? Drill and tap? Through bolts? I don't exactly know how the gunnel is shaped inside so I'm trying to avoid going all the way through it.
There will be a piece of 2" angle on the outer edge going all the way across to stiffen and support that edge. I figured rivets would be ok to mount the plate to that piece.

 

[airshot]

I would have no issue putting a couple thru bolts with nuts thru that top rail. For me, rivets can be to permanent...never know what the future holds ! Be sure to go true SS !! Another option would be to drill and tap that top rail if thick enough. Or, you could use SS carriage bolts drilled thru with a nut on the underside. Will give you a nice smooth finished look. Nice job cutting and fitting by the way !!

 

[S.E.R.E.NITY NOW]

I would have no issue putting a couple thru bolts with nuts thru that top rail. For me, rivets can be to permanent...never know what the future holds ! Be sure to go true SS !! Another option would be to drill and tap that top rail if thick enough. Or, you could use SS carriage bolts drilled thru with a nut on the underside. Will give you a nice smooth finished look. Nice job cutting and fitting by the way !!

That was the other thing with rivets too permanent if I need to change or replace something. The gunnel seems pretty thick walled so tapping might be a good option. I guess I won't know until I drill a hole lol.
And, thank you. I actually took my time on this one

 

[lckstckn2smknbrls]

Rivnuts

 

[tdwz]

I would get some counter sunk rivets. that would finish that off nicely

 

[LDUBS]

SS sheet metal screws. Use nonmetallic washers. Keep it simple.

 

[Still Afloat]

Either way you need to drill holes. Unless you weld it. Personally, I think rivets would look like more of factory installation than bolts.

 

[Stand Up]

Use stainless steel, pan head, self tapping, sheet metal screws. Easy peasy and quick. Job done.

 

[thill]

I would use 3/16" x 1/2" rivets. They pull tight, look good and generally won't catch your fishing line when it's windy.

If you ever want to remove, use a sharp wood chisel and pop the heads off. Easy Peasy, and they won't back out from vibration.

 

[S.E.R.E.NITY NOW]

Thanks Everyone for the advice.
The gunnel turned out to be 3/16" thick so I ended up drilling and tapping for 1/4x20 SS screws with some blue loctite. Turned out pretty good for what materials I had available.
Hopefully someone else will find this useful. I searched everywhere for some pics and advice on how to go about this as I've never done it before and didn't get much help until I came across this Forum. Thanks everyone. Ready to mount the Powerdrive with Advanced GPS

 

[LDUBS]

You did a nice job making the bow plate.

 

[S.E.R.E.NITY NOW]

You did a nice job making the bow plate.

Thank you. Bit of a learning curve but I took my time. I was a little hesitant about drilling into a new boat in case I messed it up.

 

[fflegel]

Looks good. Getting ready to do same to my G3 V14. Where did you get the diamond plate?

 

[airshot]

Thank you. Bit of a learning curve but I took my time. I was a little hesitant about drilling into a new boat in case I messed it up.

I totally understand your feeling on drilling holes in a new boat !! Back in 1980 we bought a new van and I customized it myself. Cutting away the side to add windows was one of the hardest decisions I ever made !!

 

[Billy H]

Looks good

 

[S.E.R.E.NITY NOW]

Looks good. Getting ready to do same to my G3 V14. Where did you get the diamond plate?

It was just a 24"x24" piece from a hardware store. It was the thickest stuff I could find locally without haven't to buy a full sheet. In hindsight I should have mounted it dull side up. There's some glare coming off it. Might just take a wire wheel to it and get rid of the mirror finish. I also ended up putting plywood underneath it to stiffen it up. Made a huge difference. Trolling Motor is solid now. Had some bounce to it before.

 

[fflegel]

It was just a 24"x24" piece from a hardware store. It was the thickest stuff I could find locally without haven't to buy a full sheet. In hindsight I should have mounted it dull side up. There's some glare coming off it. Might just take a wire wheel to it and get rid of the mirror finish. I also ended up putting plywood underneath it to stiffen it up. Made a huge difference. Trolling Motor is solid now. Had some bounce to it before.

Thanks, appreciate the advise.

 

[fflegel]

Thanks, appreciate the advise.

I have another question. How did you attach plywood? (Taking me a while to get going with this but you know-life sometimes gets in the way).