C-Forum

I want to put painters on a Royalex canoe, but there are no holes in the bow/stern to attach them to. I was thinking about drilling holes in the hull to attach them through, and I was wondering if there is a proper way to do this. Is there a way to reinforce the edges of the hole with something like a metal grommet after drilling?
Thanks

Adam

My first ABS boat, in 1976, had holes for painters drilled in the bow and stern.

The holes were about 1/2 inch in diameter, and were located a couple inches or more behind and below the tip of boat's ends.

There was a piece of plastic pipe (whose OD matched the size of the hole) that went between the holes on either side of the boat. The pipe made threading replacement ropes through the holes a snap, and took any wear and tear from friction or applied pressures that might have damaged the ABS. The plastic of the pipe had been trimmed and smoothed to be flush with the outside of the hull.

That arrangement lasted for more than ten years, until I sold the boat, with no problems.

My ABS boat now has a hole in the plastic deck plates fore and aft that serve as attachment points from painters. No problems there, either.

I just don't think it makes all that much difference how or where you attach the painters.

Was the pipe glued in place,or did it rely on friction? If glue, what kind?

Adam

I've drilled royalex a few times, outfitting boats and installing bilge pumps. The best bit IMHO to use is a forstner. I read somewhere a while ago that regular bits have the tendancy to "shatter" royalex. I don't know if it's true since I've never tried it but I've never had a bad experience with the forstner bits, the hole comes out nice and clean.

Friction fit. Burr one end of the plastic pipe.

Nothing glues well to ABS!

mshelton might have been reading here:

http://www.antietamcreek.com/outfitti.htm

here is another web reference on grabloops:

http://www.paddling.net/guidelines/showArticle.html?90

yup, that's where I read that

Almost every Royalex boat I see has holes drilled through it for grab loops and/or painters, and I've never seen these holes create any problems, with or without tubing etc. Just drill 'n go.

Has anyone seen any kind of damage due to bare painter holes?

P.