Drilling Into Fiberglass

[Bucks Bass and Bourbon]

Hi folks,

Got my new boat yesterday. I need to swap the raptors from my other boat into this one. I know where I need to drill the holes for the pumps but was wondering if there are any considerations I should be aware of such as a type of hole saw blade or anything like that to prevent splintering or chipping in the fiberglass. Any help is appreciated. Thanks!

[Will Ketchum]

To prevent splintering you could put duct tape over the spot and drill through that.

[Jig Man]

Any time I drill or saw in fiberglass I cover the area with duct tape and begin the work with the drill in reverse.

[Bucks Bass and Bourbon]

Thanks guys. Standard hole saw works fine?

[airshot]

Do use water, WD40 or something to carry away the chips, it will cut much faster and cleanly !

[12poundbass]

On 6/9/2024 at 6:34 PM, Bucks Bass and Bourbon said:

Thanks guys. Standard hole saw works fine?

A little late to the discussion but @Jig Man is correct. Start in reverse so you score the fiberglass. As far as the hole saw, use one with more teeth and let the teeth do the work. When I did plumbing I had to drill holes in bathtubs. Talk about being a nervous wreck the first couple of times I did that! I couldn’t imagine doing on a boat. 

[Bucks Bass and Bourbon]

1 minute ago, 12poundbass said:

A little late to the discussion but @Jig Man is correct. Start in reverse so you score the fiberglass. As far as the hole saw, use one with more teeth and let the teeth do the work. When I did plumbing I had to drill holes in bathtubs. Talk about being a nervous wreck the first couple of times I did that! I couldn’t imagine doing on a boat. 

Thanks for the tip! I picked up a Bosch hole saw bit today that should work but I need to swing by the marina in a day or two so I'm going to talk to the guys in the shop and ask what they use. 

[airshot]

19 hours ago, 12poundbass said:

A little late to the discussion but @Jig Man is correct. Start in reverse so you score the fiberglass. As far as the hole saw, use one with more teeth and let the teeth do the work. When I did plumbing I had to drill holes in bathtubs. Talk about being a nervous wreck the first couple of times I did that! I couldn’t imagine doing on a boat. 

Years back I customized a new van for the family.  Cut holes in both sides for custom windows.....took two days of checking and rechecking before I could make the first cut !!