Holes in gunwhales

Advice
#1

I’d be more adventurous about trying new stuff like seat moves, kneeling thwarts, etc. if it were not for that fact that I dont want my gunwhales to look like a stop-sign from a redneck’s neighborhood (ie, full of holes). What do you use to plug the holes…are there black rubber plugs made for this, short crews? what does everyone do?

#2

Wood plugs
A hardwood plug, glued in with marine-grade epoxy should result in the gunwale being nearly as strong as an un-drilled one. If you cut your own from an ash dowel you might even be able to align the grain to minimize the visual pain.



Jim

#3

.
How about with a plastic gunwhale?

#4

Multi Purpose Holes
Usually if I make a hole in a gunnel I will bolt in a “Tab” to attach water bottles, throw bags, cameras, etc. Make the “Tab” with a 4" piece of nylon strap, and either put grommets in or just puncture it with a heated ice pick.



Any unused holes in non-wooden gunnels I prefer to then seal by rivets. Here’s a pic of the tab. I was talking about. Look close on bottom gunnel. WW

http://www.pbase.com/ozarkpaddler/image/123244174

#5

Who you calling a red neck ?
cheers,

JackL

#6

I’ve been wondering too. I’m going to
look for some black plastic button inserts, vinyl if possible. Will let you know if I find something.

#7

plugs
You can often find push-in plastic plugs at a good hardware store, or an auto parts store(the kind used to hold interior panels).

#8

Better pic of tiedown

– Last Updated: Apr-02-10 7:36 PM EST –

Took these this afternoon in my boats. Besides adding these to extra holes, IMHO the rivets work better than anything I've used to plug extra holes in vinyl and aluminum gunnels. 1st pic is tiedown in wood. 2nd is tiedown in aluminum. 3rd is rivets in gunnel in two spots where I changed seat placement. Don't have a good pic of the one in vinyl gunnel of boat I sold a few weeks ago.
http://www.pbase.com/ozarkpaddler/image/123248793
http://www.pbase.com/ozarkpaddler/image/123249143
http://www.pbase.com/ozarkpaddler/image/123249145

#9

Conservation of mass
You have an old hole.



You made a new hole.



Put the middle of the new hole in hole of the old hole.


#10

finish plugs

– Last Updated: Apr-03-10 6:04 PM EST –

...... http://www.capsnplugs.com/products/snapinplugs_finishingplugs

or maybe sex bolts (some have low profile smooth topside) ,

http://www.screws4U.com/

You may have to adjust the size of the existing hole in you gunnels some to match whatever you decide to plug it with . On boats of any type , I do not like to have "ANYTHING" sticking out that can snag you (especially something that has a hard edge or kinda sharp) ... rounded things are OK .

#11

Hole plugs
This happens to me a lot due to my nature to tinker with seats ect.I’ve tried wood plugs and plastic wood and it always shows. Lately I have just put in countersunk screws and countersunk the holes so they are flush. What are the strangly named screws that were mentioned?

Turtle