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Posts: 3242
Location: Racine, Wi | I just got my Ranger Rails from Cabelas this weekend, and it comes with the screws for mounting. My question is, if you use the stainless self tapping screws, are those going to be strong enough to hold the rails, or better yet the rods when you get a rip trolling?
I have a 1750 Fish Hawk, and it is tough to get into the gunnals to use nuts and bolts. Any advise, or comments?
Thanks! |
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Posts: 2384
Location: On the X that marks the mucky spot | It all depends on how thick the aluminum is. I'd feel better with a nut/bolt combo with a dot of loctite (or equivilant). If you do use the tapping screws, just make sure you drill a pilot hole 1/2 the size of what you would for fiberglass. I'd also recommend that you use some marine grade silicon both on the screw threads and on the underside of the rail mounting area. That 1-2 punch should hold them fine. I know that's how I installed mine and they seem very strong. I can shake the boat on the trailer with that setup. |
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| I would cut a plate of steel for backing on the underside with nuts. |
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Posts: 3242
Location: Racine, Wi | I would love to put a plate on for backing, but I can't get into part of the sides. There are small openings by the cleats, but not the whole length of the boat. That's where I run into a problem. The metal is actually pretty thick though. I know the back half I can bolt on, as I am taking the back cleats off, and can put nuts and bolts back there.
Also, the driver side, I can access the bottom of the rail as well, so I can bolt them on there, it's just the other side that I don't have alot of access to.
Thanks for the info so far, any other ideas? |
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Posts: 516
Location: Kildeer, IL | If you can put nuts and bolts everywhere but one spot, just put a toggle bolt in that one spot. It will be plenty to hold it down. The only problem is your bolt heads probably won't match.
http://www.usahardware.com/inet/shop/item/40940/icn/20-191692/midwe... |
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Posts: 5874
| I think you'll be fine with the supplied hardware. That's some pretty substantial aluminum on those caps. Just predrill to the correct size, and use some Blue LockTite. Red is too hard. |
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| Bolt everything-screws will losen over time. I put rails on with a metal backing by putting in an access plate. good luck |
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Boat Rail instalation