Can you sand Starboard

[flkeysaqua]

I have a few questions about starboard. I've never worked with the stuff at all but I bought a 2'x4' of 3/4 to make new under gunwale rod holders since they are structal bracing aswell I got the 3/4. First I just heard that 5200 doesn't stick to it so thats is going to be my first problem, because I want to glue it to the side of the boat aswell as screw it to the holders.  A gentleman on another thread was saying that west system makes an epoxy that works but dont know if it will in this application. Secondly since I'm using both side of each piece I need to sand them so that they are the same finish but once again I've heard that you can't sand it either?  The only thing that I do know is that it should be cut with a router which is going to be interesting thing to do.  Any help from you guys would be greatly appreciated

[Capt. Bob]

First I just heard that 5200 doesn't stick to it.

Have you seen this?
http://www.jamestowndistributors.com/userportal/document.do?docId=211

[Circle Hooked]

I have done a few thing with it like a electronics box,i kind of look at it like super thick plastic.

You don't want to sand it,but i have cut it with a circular saw just knock of the edges when done.

But be careful with heat from saw blade it will melt a little on you,try a sample piece first,you'll get it

[Circle Hooked]

First I just heard that 5200 doesn't stick to it.

Have you seen this?
http://www.jamestowndistributors.com/userportal/document.do?docId=211

Cool link Capt Bob,thats good stuff.

[labboss2003]

Little off topic.....

Can you bend starboard with a heat gun? and will it stay stiff ?
The reason I ask is ,I broke a piece of my cabin hatch off on my 225 explorer. I used mighty puddy to fix it and it works, but looks like crap. Cant find anybody that will make me a new one.

[flkeysaqua]

Thanks for the advice guys Capt Bob thats what im saying nobody seems to say for 100 percent if 5200 works or not but atleast I know I can sand and also that 5200 might work we'll see

[slvrlng]

Couldn't you mount a piece of aluminum channel on the gunwale with 5200 or some other "glue", place the starboard into channel and secure with bolts through the channel.
Sanding is difficult because the stuff wants to melt if you use the wrong grit. You can route it but even then it wants to melt the edges.

[flkeysaqua]

Thank you Capt Bob that was exactly what I was looking for. Turns out the "special" gun used with the starboard glue is the exact gun that I used to glue Corain together so that cuts a lot of the cost of using the right glue. Hopefully it will work better than 5200.

Lewis I'm not to worried about melting the starboard I was planning on sanding it by hand anyways, I just need an even finish and starboard comes glossy on one side and matte on the other.

One thing I noticed on the first link is they say that the glue works well as long as theirs not a lot of flexing and the way the original holders were installed they have one screw in the bottom holding them to the brace and one screw holding the top to the gunwales.  Do you guys think this will be enough to keep them from breaking like the last pair I made?

Granted I should probably hold back the throttle on those big waves :bounce:

[Capt. Bob]

One thing I noticed on the first link is they say that the glue works well as long as theirs not a lot of flexing and the way the original holders were installed they have one screw in the bottom holding them to the brace and one screw holding the top to the gunwales.  Do you guys think this will be enough to keep them from breaking like the last pair I made?

On my CCP, the holders are attached at the bottom and also front to back. The difference is that the CCP is double skinned at that point.

You may try and add a strip down each side and glue those to the gunwale also so as to add some lateral support along the edge or as the engineer types like to say, "resist a moment".