posted 08-06-2002 01:58 PM ET (US)            

www.continuouswave.com/ubb/Forum3/HTML/002332.html

I don't have a manual here, but I believe these are Whaler recommendations.
If you have a location with a plywood backing do not drill a pilot hole into the wood itself, just the gel and glass with a counter sink for the gel.
You can avoid all glass/gel related future gremlins if you make a hole in the glass/gel through which the fastener cleanly passes thus using only the plywood's strength as an anchor. Not for areas without wood of course.
Newer boats have "plastic" wood that can be tapped according to members here. A commercial boat I looked at once had aluminum backing plates that were tapped. I believe the transoms are plywood on new and old boats.
Use appropriate goo to seal the mount and don't over tighten/strip the screw.