How to install new bow pulpit (sealant, hardware, etc.)

[mpmurray]

Hi,

My brother in-law advised I should put a bow pulpit on my V17 for safety. I actually found one and am ready to install.

Other than a motor mount, I've never installed anything on a sailboat.

Please tell me if my plan is on-target!

Cut-out 4 small plywood circular bases (2x diameter of stanchion bases) for the interior backing.

Drill holes for hardware.

Apply 3M 4200 Adhesive Sealant only to holes (not as bedding) and insert hardware bolts before it dries.

Two Questions:
Will any 3/16" plywood do?
Is 3M 4200 ok? (I've read elsewhere not to use polyurethanes because they are too permanent and inflexible).

THANKS for feedback.

michael

Note: I don't think the fiberglass deck has a wood layer, correct? If so, then extra care would be needed in sealing the vertical surfaces of deck holes.

[kmclemore]

I don't know about the Ventures, but likely there is NOT any wood in the deck where you want to mount that pulpit. So, yes, using backing plates is probably not a bad idea. I would probably opt for metal ones, though - shouldn't be too hard to fabricate out of stainless. Remember, that pulpit is going to take some abuse, so you'll want a strong mounting. Also, use new Nyloc nuts on the inside when you assemble it.

As for the 4200, that sounds fine. 5200 would be too permanent, but 4200 isn't too bad to remove if you ever have to. But I would indeed bed the mountings with it, as well as sealing the holes.

One thought, though. You may want to drill one hole under one of the aft mountings so that you can, if you decide later, thread wire up into the pulpit. Who knows, but you may decide to put a light, antenna or something else on the pulpit, and it would be a lot easier if you didn't ever have to take the pulpit off again. I have both my marker light as well as my GPS antenna on my pulpit.

[Ivan Awfulitch]

Thinking back about 20 years since I cut the foredeck for my 17, I believe that it is a wood core. My pulpit had some metal plates slightly larger than on the pulpit on the underside. When you put it on, I'd definitely bed the mountings and 4200 would be my choice. Use stainless bolts and nyloc nuts.