Antenna Mounts and other holes in the fiberglas
 

I recently purchased my Formula 382 from a guy that only boated in Lake George. No anchor, no fenders, and no VHF. No problem with anchor and fenders but I am having an anxiety attach over drilling holes in the glass to mount a VHF antenna.

I am mainly concerned about the danger of a screw hole leaking and damaging the deck core, but cosmetics play a role too.

Any ideas would be appreciated.

You'll want to thru-bolt an antenna mount. Look where other 382's, 353's, etc. have the antenna mounted (should be to starboard above the rubrail at or just in front of the driver's position). Then see if access to the inside of the deck can be gained from close by. Use fender washers, nylon locking nuts, and liberal amounts of 3M 4200 around the holes and under the base plate and you should have no problems.

Measure 3 times, check and recheck under your target and let her rip.

Do you have a rail to mount it to? Thats what I've done for the last 2 boats.

Where are you boating? Are you sure a hand-held VHF won't cut it? Just a thought...

I have a mounted VHF and antenna mounted to mine...never use it and hate it there. I carry a handheld as a backup anyway too!

I have a handheld as a backup but in Long Is Sound I think a 25 Watt fixed mount is a better choice than a handheld. I think they are only 5 watts.