Hey all,
I got some work done on the fuel tank mounting board and the backing boards under the sole.
The first few photos show how I permanently mounted the 1/4" bolts for my fuel tank. First I overdrilled the holes for the bolts, back-filled them with thickened epoxy (silica and milled glass mix), and re-drilled the 1/4" holes. Then I took some scrap pieces of Okoume and made a box around each bolt that I later filled with the same thickened epoxy. This will hold the bolts in place and keep them from spinning as I tighten down the lock nuts for the tank.
Next I worked on the backing plates under the sole to mount the grab bar and cooler/seat straps. I pre-cut pieces of Okoume 24" x 5" and laminated two layers together. I then took my router and routed out pockets for the backing boards. Next I coated the backing boards and the foam pockets with neat epoxy. Working wet-on-wet I mixed up some epoxy glue (woodflour) and spread it on the bottom of the boards and in the pockets with a notched spreader. Once the boards were in place I filled any void edges with the epoxy glue.
Next step is to coat the sole and get it glued in!!!
-Reid