Composite Brackets Done Right – Coosa, West System 610 & Onboard Install

Описание: 🔧 Sully’s Mistake Factory | Season 2 – Episode 3

Composite Brackets Done Right – Coosa, West System 610 & Onboard Install

Season Two continues — and now we move from planning to structural fabrication.

In Episode Three, we’re in the shop building custom composite mounting brackets for our new electrical panels using Coosa Composites board, West System 610, and gel coat finishing techniques — then we head onboard Bhaile to install them properly.

This isn’t about running screws into thin fiberglass and hoping they hold.

It’s about creating a structural, moisture-resistant mounting foundation that will survive vibration, heat, and the marine environment long term.

What We Cover in This Episode

🔹 Why Coosa board is a superior alternative to marine plywood in wet bilge spaces
🔹 Proper surface prep before bonding composites
🔹 Using West System 610 thickened epoxy adhesive for structural bonding
🔹 When to bond vs when to mechanically fasten
🔹 Gel coat finishing tips for a clean, professional appearance
🔹 Planning bracket geometry for load distribution and serviceability

We also discuss why 610 is ideal in this application — controlled mix ratio, gap-filling properties, and strong secondary bonding performance when properly prepped.

From Shop to Boat – Installing Onboard Bhaile

After fabrication, we move onboard to install the brackets in the aft bilge space. We walk through:

• Positioning for accessibility and airflow
• Elevating components above potential water intrusion
• Supporting brackets during cure
• Clean layout planning for future service

Short-Handed Composite Tips & Tricks

Working with composites solo? Timing is everything. In this episode, Sully shares practical field tips for:

• Managing epoxy working time
• Dry fitting before permanent bonding
• Keeping alignment true without a second set of hands
• Avoiding common composite mistakes that cost time later

Season Two isn’t just about adding equipment — it’s about building the right infrastructure so the system lasts.

Structural mounting.
Proper bonding.
Clean composite execution.

Mistakes were made… now what?