Cutting 4″ Hole Under Trolling Motor Foot Pedal

This topic has 9 replies, 4 voices, and was last updated 7 years, 12 months ago by Redngoo.

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June 14, 2018 at 3:14 pm #400561

C130
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I just bought the cover from BCB to cover the hole I am going to cut out under the trolling motor foot pedal. I want to reinforce the Balzout mount thats holding the 12″ Helix. Right now I am just using the same holes the RAM mount used and its sturdy but I want it reinforced. Im hesitant to cut such a large hole and have been putting it off for a while.Any suggestions as far as cutting a hole that large? I bought a 4″ hole saw at my local hardware store, is there any specific type it needs to be for the fiberglass? I just want to avoid chipping the area around the hole. Is it better to use high speed or a lower speed? I read taping the area off helps. I just want it to be as clean of a cut as possible.

June 14, 2018 at 4:38 pm #400564

Redngoo
Participant

Tape area well. I always run drill in reverse until through the gel. Leaves nice square edge no chipping. Though i would use a roll sander with a dremel or die grinder and put a nice champher around the hole. This prevents crazing and most of all your arms when accesing the hole

June 14, 2018 at 4:39 pm #400567

C130
Participant

Redngoo wrote:Tape area well. I always run drill in reverse until through the gel. Leaves nice square edge no chipping. Though i would use a roll sander with a dremel or die grinder and put a nice champher around the hole. This prevents crazing and most of all your arms when accesing the holeGreat idea, I wouldnt have thought of that. Thanks

June 15, 2018 at 9:44 am #400571

laps19
Participant

Try reaching up through the end of the rod/srorage locker first you may be able to get it without drilling a big hole

June 15, 2018 at 2:42 pm #400574

Bearkat
Participant

I was able to lay in the starboard rod locker of my Cougar and install a backing plate and nuts on my Bass Boat Technologies mount.

June 15, 2018 at 2:43 pm #400576

C130
Participant

Thanks guys, I will try reaching upon there. Heck, my son would probably fit in there hes so slim.

June 16, 2018 at 7:40 pm #400579

C130
Participant

Couldn’t come close to reaching up there so I cut the hole out. Almost backed out but went ahead and did it. Ran the hole saw in reverse initially through the gel coat then cut the rest of it out. Nice, clean cut. Thanks for the suggestions.

June 17, 2018 at 2:16 pm #400581

Redngoo
Participant

Glad all worked out well. I too bought the hole cover a good while back. For some reason i just can not bring my self to punch the hole!. Though that method has always worked flawlessly for me.

June 17, 2018 at 2:24 pm #400584

C130
Participant

Someone mentioned to me to put a fiberglass resin around the edges of the hole, is that necessary? Same guy recommended some type of seal around the cover, like a piece of foam tape. Is there anything that needs to be done to help seal the cover?

June 17, 2018 at 9:57 pm #400587

Redngoo
Participant

C130 wrote:Someone mentioned to me to put a fiberglass resin around the edges of the hole, is that necessary? Same guy recommended some type of seal around the cover, like a piece of foam tape. Is there anything that needs to be done to help seal the cover?I would put a nice champher(break the sharp edge) around the top edge of the hole for sure to prevent small crazing cracks and call it good. As far as sealing with a gasket or foam tape would be strictly up to you! Water goes in that drain anyway even though when and if i do this ill probably make a gasket of some type for mine.
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