I was going to mount them on bunks that are inboard and just beneath the gunnels, but when I took them apart, they turned out to be just carpet-covered aluminum sheets, and probably not strong enough. The gunnels are substantial, and wide enough (I think) for through-bolts, but they're not quite flat; they have a flattened ovoid shape that would leave maybe a 3/16 – 1/4" gap between the bottom outside of the track and the gunnel, if I mount them there. I'm also worried about clearance for the inboard nuts underneath, since the through-holes will be close to the sidewall (on the outside of the hull).
Anyone have any wisdom? Or other ideas?
"hemichemi" said:
I was going to mount them on bunks that are inboard and just beneath the gunnels, but when I took them apart, they turned out to be just carpet-covered aluminum sheets, and probably not strong enough. The gunnels are substantial, and wide enough (I think) for through-bolts, but they're not quite flat; they have a flattened ovoid shape that would leave maybe a 3/16 – 1/4" gap between the bottom outside of the track and the gunnel, if I mount them there. I'm also worried about clearance for the inboard nuts underneath, since the through-holes will be close to the sidewall (on the outside of the hull).Anyone have any wisdom? Or other ideas?
1. Mount rails to the gunnel and mount the track to the rail.
2. Buy 1/4" aluminum that you can shim the track with. These guys can help w/ that – <url url="[Permission to view this media is denied]
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3. Mount it where you were going to mount it but use fender washers or aluminum sheet to strengthen it.
Tom,
I sent you a message, if you drop buy the people Will suggested ask for their selection on scrap Aluminum, wouldnt worry so much about 5052. I can get Aluminum plate at ALRO for 2.59/pd here and the outlet has nice pieces that can be fabricated easily. Come on down and use the shop if you need!
"Will Schultz" said:
1. Mount rails to the gunnel and mount the track to the rail.
2. Buy 1/4" aluminum that you can shim the track with. These guys can help w/ that – <url url="[Permission to view this media is denied]
">[Permission to view this media is denied]3. Mount it where you were going to mount it but use fender washers or aluminum sheet to strengthen it.
Thanks.
Option 2 is OK but doesn't address having mounting bolts very close to the hull making hole-drilling very dicey because of the tight tolerance…
Option 3 sounds good, but the aluminum sheet itself is not attached very securely to the rest of the boat.
Option 1 is the best, but pricey. Know where to get ~1" stainless tubing and elbows and 90° mounting brackets cheap? West Marine wants $225! Cabelas is better at about half that, but that's still a chunk of change. And then there's the clamps to mount the tracks on the rails…
Here are some pics:
As you can see, the gunnel is pretty wide; made from a hollow, oval, extruded aluminum piece with walls about 1/8 – 5/32" thick. The gunnel is about 1-9/16" thick overall.
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Most of the gunnel's width is inboard of the hull, as you can see from the next two pix:
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The outer bolts will be right up against the inner side of the hull:
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And unfortunately, the top is not quite flat.
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"hemichemi" said:
[quote="Will Schultz"]
1. Mount rails to the gunnel and mount the track to the rail.
2. Buy 1/4" aluminum that you can shim the track with. These guys can help w/ that – <url url="[Permission to view this media is denied]
">[Permission to view this media is denied]3. Mount it where you were going to mount it but use fender washers or aluminum sheet to strengthen it.
Thanks.
Option 2 is OK but doesn't address having mounting bolts very close to the hull making hole-drilling very dicey because of the tight tolerance…
Option 3 sounds good, but the aluminum sheet itself is not attached very securely to the rest of the boat.
Option 1 is the best, but pricey. Know where to get ~1" stainless tubing and elbows and 90° mounting brackets cheap? West Marine wants $225! Cabelas is better at about half that, but that's still a chunk of change. And then there's the clamps to mount the tracks on the rails…
I say go with option 3. I've got an aluminum welder. I'll make it plenty strong. Bring it by, and I'll have it done by…… Oh, mid November. [smilie=brows.gif]
You have an interesting situation there. My gunnels are much wider and have aluminum sheet under like yours. We used 1/2" plywood under the aluminum and ran the bolts through, they are rock solid. Pursuit makes little stainless steel mounting brackets that raise the tracks up like the rail Will is suggesting. Iguess my next question would be can you get to the inside of the gunnels under the mounting area? If so use a strip of plywood under the aluminum to add strength. Ours have been going strong for 6 years. Mike
Im a little disappointed that you have all missed the obvious solution here… Simply place the tracks on the gunnels and then wrap duct tape around the entire boat to hold them in place 🙄 Or get some of that awesome two sided tape and voila! problem solved geessh why do you make it so hard [smilie=bangtard.gif] [smilie=bangtard.gif]
Kevin
Disclaimer: The author of this message has consumed copious amounts of cough products in the last two weeks and takes no responsibility for the fact that he may be the only one amused by previous message.
Hemi, looking at those gunnels I would take the tracks back and go with rails like they do on the Rangers. Cooper Smith has rails on his Lund . He just uses the rail mount downeasters and they work slick. I have seen tracks on Rangers but they all use the pedestals made by pursuit. It looks like you cant get into the gunnels to use lock nuts . You will be stuck with self tapping 1/4 20 screws. Go with rails and no tracks . My 2 cents. Mike
Thanks for all the ideas, guys.
I decided to just mount them directly to the gunnel, which I think is strong enough to support them with fender washers underneath, perhaps modified a little for the outboard screws which are quite close to the hull (I may have to trim/bend those washers). Gathering up my courage, I drilled a couple of holes and it works, but I had to web-order some longer stainless screws, since no one around here has what I needed.
I'll post pics when I'm done. Thanks again.
All done, and it looks good. Solid as a shick brithouse. I angled the drill a few degrees towards the center of the rail to keep the nuts and washers away from the hull and from sticking out too much on the inboard side, and used fender washers, lockwashers and locknuts with nylon inserts (all stainless):
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The result:
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Nothing protrudes beyond the metal of the gunnel on the outboard side, and there's a rub strip out beyond that; the rail sticks out about 5/16" on the inside, but there are bunks below it which will prevent anyone bumping into it or gouging a hip on the corner. Overall, I'm quite pleased! I think it's defo muskie-worthy. [smilie=2thumbsup.gif]
Looks good. The fact that you were able to drill all the way through top and bottom of the gunnel helped a lot. You will love the tracks. I have three sets on my starcraft. Downriggers, down easters, tube holders for planer board rods and side masts for planer boards all mount in the tracks. When Im not using them they are all stowed away. very nice job. Mike
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