Installing footholds

[B-Roy]

I know there are a lot of threads on this. But I have a few questions.

I am going to be installing watercraft factory rikter footholds.

Ive studied wamiltons install guide.

What kind of resin or glue do you use to seal them enitially to the hull.

I also see people screwing/riviting them in and leaving them in instead of taking them out. Good idea/ or take them out?

And how many layers of glass should I lay on the outside, and how wide should they be layed.

For resin on the mat, is west sysyems the way to go?

And last question is the blowsion foothold install kit worth it? Seems like the most economical way....

Thanks

 

[Rickster]

I know there are a lot of threads on this. But I have a few questions.

I am going to be installing watercraft factory rikter footholds.

Ive studied wamiltons install guide.

What kind of resin or glue do you use to seal them enitially to the hull.

I also see people screwing/riviting them in and leaving them in instead of taking them out. Good idea/ or take them out?

And how many layers of glass should I lay on the outside, and how wide should they be layed.

For resin on the mat, is west sysyems the way to go?

And last question is the blowsion foothold install kit worth it? Seems like the most economical way....

Thanks

Either use two part epoxy glue, or 5200 is also common.

I personally used two layers of 1208 biaxial and epoxy resin to seal them up.

Wests is fine....

 

[oxnard111]

I know there are a lot of threads on this. But I have a few questions.

I am going to be installing watercraft factory rikter footholds.

Ive studied wamiltons install guide.

What kind of resin or glue do you use to seal them enitially to the hull.
West systems with some filler added works great. Make sure to feather/blend the surfaces betweent he footwell and fiberglass surface you are adhearing them to. You want to blend these surfaces so that when you use mat to go over after the initial part of the install you get a nice layer layed down with minimum chance of bubbles.

I also see people screwing/riviting them in and leaving them in instead of taking them out. Good idea/ or take them out?
I used rivets. Some use screws. I though rivets worked really well. And of course left them in. Just make sure the holes in the rivets get sealed well when you put your layer of mat over the seams when sealing them up

And how many layers of glass should I lay on the outside, and how wide should they be layed.
I used two layers of biaxel. They don't have to be too wide, just wide enough so that each surface has an adequate amount of mat onto top of each to adhere it well. I used mat strips that were aprox. 3.5 inches wide.

For resin on the mat, is west sysyems the way to go?
West I have heard is great, but others say that the uscomposties brand works very well. http://www.uscomposites.com/epoxy.html#epoxhard

And last question is the blowsion foothold install kit worth it? Seems like the most economical way....
Seems like this would be alright to use, except what if you run out b/c you mix your batches to large, or if you need a second layer b/c you f'd up the first and/or second layer. If you buy in bulk/semi bulk you'll always have some extra resin and materials to work on other projects, help a friend install footwells, or change your footwells in the future.

One last tip I would recommend is to start with as small of hole cut into the side of the gunwales as possible. You want to leave enough area for your screws or rivets to bite into. Don't use large templates like in the wamiltons install guide.

 

[Mark44]

I like to use west systems epoxy with 404 filler to glue them in. I also use sheet metal screws to hold them untill the epoxy dries then I take the screws out and lay a couple layers of 10 oz cloth over them. I have installed about 8 sets this way and it worked out quite well. My 2 cents

Mark44

 

[FLY6584]

I have installed about 8 sets this way and it worked out quite well.

:bigeyes: You must either have a lot of ski's or you're just a great friend.

 

[showmepro1200]

Or he messed up 7 times :haha:

jus' kiddin :smile:

 

[Mark44]

:bigeyes: You must either have a lot of ski's or you're just a great friend.

I do it for the St. Louis crew.:biggthumpup: :biggthumpup:

Mark44

 

[B-Roy]

Alright, Thanks for the info. I have a lot of west systems and filler. I just need to buy some glass.

Im going to go with the watercraft factory rikters, or wamilton rikters. Do they send the right template with the holds, or do you have to make it.


Thanks!

 

[oxnard111]

Alright, Thanks for the info. I have a lot of west systems and filler. I just need to buy some glass.

Im going to go with the watercraft factory rikters, or wamilton rikters. Do they send the right template with the holds, or do you have to make it.


Thanks!

You make your own templete, but its not really needed. Just start with a small hole where the toe area of the footwell is going to be placed and make the hole larger to make the foothold fit flush.

 

[KaosFreestyle]

I think if you ask Steve at Watercraft Factory he can send you a template. Just remember to ask though.

Ill hopefully be finishing up the holds on my ski this weekend. I went with the 2part epoxy and some filler to thicken it up. Worked good for the left foot. Because I put them on a Kawasaki I plan on using biaxial mat not only between the holds but also to blend in the holds because the walls are different than a Superjet.