Rebedding Stanchions

Epoxy Potting and Butyl Tape Re-bedding Stanchions SEE NOTES BELOW:
Encasing the bolt in west-epoxy mixed with 404 high density filler really works well. You can also just fill a larger area than the bolt size and then drill and tap, or just drill it through if you are able to secure with a nut and washer from below. If you don’t have access to the bolt from below try to tape over somehow or push through a small wire from above and manipulate a something into place to stop epoxy from seeping out.
I had one hole like this so I cut down the width of a small cocktail drink umbrella to about 1-1/4" when open. I then fed it through the enlarged hole, got it opened on the underside filled the hole with epoxy and used a small vice-grip plier to hold the umbrella in place till the epoxy cured. Because the epoxy is 1-1/4” wide and extends 3/4" below the bottom layer of the deck it’s like a large washer and you do not have to drill and tap all the way through.
If you have rot in the core between the two layers of fibreglass use a bent tip pick and dig out as much core material as you can, an Allan key on a drill also works well, the epoxy will fill in this void and prevent any further wetting of the core.
If you have not read through the three pages on the link provided below do so as it is the best info on “Potting” Re-bedding deco hardware.
Good luck.
www.pbase.com/mainecruising/re...

[@gordonchu7309]

Hello DJ, I need to do a repair on my Hunter 376 stanchion bases and your video is extremely helpful. I did not know about the aluminum base on the underside of the deck, so that is a key point of info. I love your idea to drill a larger hole and then fill with epoxy while the machine screw is in place. I just tested that at home with a piece of wood and it works well. Thanks for the video.

[@DJW007]

Yeah it’s really the way to go. Don’t forget to tape over the hole on the underside so the epoxy didn’t seep out.

[@willyum1208]

i like this idea of having the holes threaded, more secure with very little extra work, if your stanchions are hollow, down bed the entire bottom plate, just the bolts, if water gets in the stanchion it will have no way of getting out.

[@DJW007]

Yeah, however these stanchions have little drain holes in the bases, you can it at the 3.57 minute

[@life_raft_fam8636]

Really good work! Loves it!

[@fernandord4083]

Many thanks!. I´m just starting this work in my H356

[@monofied]

Hi there thanks for this, I'm in the middle of doing the same thing and have not seen this method with surrounding the bolt with epoxy. I have a tiny bit of rot as well in the core. Did you have a washer and nut underneath to hold the bolt and keep the epoxy from dripping down? thank you.

[@sailboatshellesseasailing4567]

I'm going to do this. My stanchions are wiggly!

[@MrMedicAdnan]

Just bought a 1987 Legend 37 that needs all it's stanchions rebeded as well as other hardware. Do you recommend this process for the entire boat?

[@erwinmcqueen2618]

I don't think there is any wood or balsa, you are probably seeing core mat. a fiberglass mat intended as a thin core material. A better method is to simply tap the holes out to #12 - 24 and I believe 3M UV 4000 or 5200 is better than butyl tape.

[@gregfawcett5152]

Awful presentation...should go step by step from first step to last step...totally disorganized.