Who has ever sawed or drilled into fiberglass?

[dtarules]

I have purchased a recessed trolling motor tray. I am just scared to start sawing away on my deck

[87GT183]

Use a ROTO ZIP with a masonary bit works really well. Well it did for us!

[Skeet'r89]

Make sure you wear a good dust mask when cutting fiberglass.

[FlukenLizard]

We put one in my dad's basscat, we didnt want to do it, measure 1400 times then get the saw, put the saw down and measure 8 more times, pick the saw back up, break 5 blades, go get a roto zip and then measure 1 more time and get after it. I know its hard to cut into your boat but your back will thank you later.

[cart7]

Triple check your clearance under where you're wanting to install the tray.
Drink a beer.
Insert a composite blade into your sawzall.
Drink another beer.
check clearance one more time.
Drink another beer.
Now begin cutting the hole. When you're done and it's successful, relax and drink a few more beers.

[Blanked Again]

I recently did mine. I bought the comfortroll and I didn't like the paper template that comes with it. I did get it on straight. If I were to do it again, I would've traced the paper on something a little more sturdy and used it for the template. It was pretty tough keeping the paper taped down and tracing it. I started with a jig saw on the corners and ended up doing the job with a saw zaw.(is that how you spell it?) Once it was cut out, it didn't fit and I had to keep taking a little off here and there. But it worked out and is perfect once finished.

[boostedone]

I havent installed a tray but I have installed small hatches and so forth so its similar.

Hit one of the most important things right there, a good template. If you have to, transfer it to a peice of cardboard first. Cut out the cardboard template and test fit it to your tray.

Once you figure out where you want to put it and lay out the lines, use a drill and drill a 1/2" hole at each corner. Thes will end up BEING the corners. Then use a sawzall to cut out between the drilled holes. To get your cut started with the sawzall, hold the saw blade almost parallel to the deck and squeeze the trigger full speed. Gradually angle down and the blade will start to dig into the deck and sooner or later will punch through and will be upright. Once you start it the first time you can get to the other sides of the rectangle by backing up and making gentle turns from one edge to the next. you dont have to go from side to corner to side like you do if you are cutting grass.

Before you install the tray, go get 30 dollars worth of epoxy resin from the Boat Suppy store and coat your core if you have a wood cored deck unless you dont remind replacing the deck 5 years from now or you plan on selling it to somone else to worry about.