Yo, Chris

Take some credit for the idea laddie, it's a continuation of your idea taken to its logical conclusion for this application. I'm a disciple of the Chris O school of of smart designs.

The idea is to build the hull, then CA glue tack the piece in with S/S t-nuts in place. Next, plug the holes of the t-nuts with hard wax, and glass it and the inside hull, let cure. The inside attachment strip is exposed by grinding away the former keel to completely expose the attachment strip and fair it out followed by the outside hull glassing, let cure, then using a large drill bit, spin it with fingers to work the t-nut holes open through the glass, followed by picking out the wax and then ream with tap.

You have a real good point about the t-nut replacement ease...hmmm, I have to think this over and get back to you, too. That was a real good point, like your idea of install which is really brilliant and simple.

The email is the one though you can also use kayakDOTmailATcoxDOTnet.

: Hi Mike,

: Sorry for the delay in responding. Your description and method is solid for
: the installation of the bow/stern bridge. You didn't indicate if you were
: going to glass-in the bridge element with the T nuts. I assume that you
: will as it needs to be one of those locations that is toatlly bullet proof
: once installed.

: I would do the glassing before the T-nut install. The T-nuts get a solid
: gooping from some silicone sealant on their way in the hole. That way they
: can be removed if they ever get bunged for some reason. After that it
: would seem to be a cakewalk to the final UHMW install.

: Nice thinking on the build solution.

: Is your email correct on the posting? I have a boat design I'd like to share
: with you off list.

: Chris