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How to print waterproof hardware mounts for marine hobbyists

Steps for printing waterproof hardware mounts for boats, from measuring the spot and checking the model to choosing material, test printing and sealing.

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TexHouse is published by the makers of LunarWerx 3D Print, Vector3D and MeshyDL, which are compared here alongside other tools.

A waterproof hardware mount for a boat comes down to measuring the mounting spot, checking the model, choosing a material rated for wet use, test printing, and sealing the joint.

OptionWhat it doesFee
LunarWerx 3D PrintBrowser tools that work out ironing settings for your printer, check a part for injection moulding and design 3D-printable foam inserts [1]Free to use [1]
Other toolsSlicers, model repair tools and CAD programs can cover parts of this job. No facts are approved for them on this page, so check each tool's own page.Not checked for this page

What you need before you start

Before you print a waterproof mount, write down the boat-side measurements. Record the bolt spacing, the thickness of the surface the mount will sit on, and the space the mount has to fit into. Keep calipers and a tape measure nearby, because a mount that is slightly off will not seat flat against a curved hull or a rail.

Have the bolts, nuts and washers you plan to use in hand, so you can test the holes against the real hardware. Choose a filament that its maker describes as suitable for outdoor or wet use, and read the maker's temperature and water-exposure notes before you buy a roll. Make sure the printer is in good tune and the bed is clean.

Finally, pick a gasket or sealant meant for marine use, and choose hardware that will not corrode in salt water, such as stainless steel or coated fasteners.

Step by step

  1. Measure the mounting spot on the boat, including bolt spacing and surface thickness. Write the numbers down before you open any model file.
  2. Get a model of the mount, either by designing one or by downloading one that matches your measurements. Compare it against your numbers.
  3. Check the model for holes, gaps and faces turned backwards. A model with errors can print with weak spots or without a closed surface.
  4. Fix any errors with a model repair tool, then check the model again.
  5. Pick a material that its maker rates for wet and sunny conditions, and confirm that your printer's temperature settings match the maker's guidance.
  6. Orient the part so the layers do not run in the direction the mount will be pulled or bent. Keep the bolt holes clear of support material.
  7. Print a test piece first, using the same settings as the final part. Check it against the real bolts and the mounting spot.
  8. Adjust the design or print settings based on the test, then print the final mount with walls and infill thick enough to hold the bolts firmly.
  9. Soak a spare test piece in water for an extended period, then check for swelling, softening or seepage around the holes.
  10. Seal the mount with a marine gasket or sealant where it meets the boat, install it with corrosion-resistant hardware, and recheck the bolts after the first outing.

Tools that can do it

LunarWerx 3D Print is made by the team that publishes this site. It provides browser tools for parts of this job. [1] You use it on its website, which is hosted on Cloudflare. [1] It runs in a web browser. [1] The tools are free to use. [1]

For a model with faces turned backwards, the repair tool turns them right side out and says how many it fixed. [1] That covers the backward-faces part of the model check above.

If a mount has a flat face you want smoother, the ironing helper works out ironing settings for your printer, material and finish, and exports a ready 3MF file. [1] If you already have a Bambu or Orca project, the tool adds per-object ironing settings and keeps the rest of the file unchanged. [1]

It runs only in your browser, and signing in lets your settings, recent test plates and print results follow you to every computer. [1]

Other slicers, model repair tools and CAD programs can also cover parts of this job. No facts are approved for them on this page, so check each tool's own page for what it does and what it costs before you choose.

Common mistakes to avoid

Printing a model without checking it for holes or backward faces is a common mistake. A model with errors can print with weak spots that only show up after the mount has been in water for a while. Check the model before the first print.

Using a standard filament outdoors is another mistake. Sun and wet conditions can soften or weaken a material that is not rated for them, so confirm the maker's guidance first.

Skipping the test piece is risky. If you print only the final mount and the holes are off, you lose a full print and the time it took. A small test shows the fit before you commit.

Tightening bolts well past snug can crack the plastic around the holes. Tighten gradually and stop when the mount sits firmly.

Leaving the joint unsealed lets water in at the mounting face. Use a marine gasket or sealant every time, even when the fit looks tight.

Using ordinary steel hardware invites rust and salt damage. Choose fasteners that resist corrosion in salt water.

Not rechecking the bolts after the first outing is easy to forget. Vibration and temperature changes can loosen them, so look again after the first trip.

Frequently asked questions

What filament works for waterproof 3D printed boat mounts?

No single filament is right for every boat, so start with the maker's guidance on water and sun exposure. Read the temperature notes on the spool and set your printer to match them. Print a test piece, leave it in water for an extended period, and check it for swelling or softening before you fit the real mount. Pair the mount with marine gasket material and corrosion-resistant bolts, because the filament alone does not seal the joint.

Can LunarWerx 3D Print repair an STL file with inside-out faces?

When you open an STL file with faces turned backwards, it turns them right side out and says how many it fixed. [1] That check is useful before you print a mount, because backward faces can leave a model without a closed surface. After the repair, still review the model for holes and gaps, since turning faces around does not close them.

Is LunarWerx 3D Print free to use?

The tools are free to use. [1] You use them on the website, which is hosted on Cloudflare. [1] They run in a web browser. [1] You do not need to download a separate program to start, since you use the tools on the website itself. Nothing on this page says whether a paid version exists, so check the website for current terms before you rely on them.

How do you check a printed boat mount for leaks?

Fit the mount with its gasket and bolts, then pour water over the joint and along the mounting face while you watch for drips inside the hull or behind the surface. Check the holes too, since water can travel along a bolt. Repeat the check after the first trip out, and again after any bolt is tightened or loosened. Dry the mount fully before you judge the result, because damp surfaces can hide a small seep.

Does LunarWerx 3D Print keep settings across computers?

It runs only in your browser, and signing in lets your settings, recent test plates and print results follow you to every computer. [1] If you work on more than one computer, sign in on each one so the same settings are available. Keep a copy of your final mount file and your test notes outside the browser as well, so a lost session does not cost you your records.

The tools are free to use. [1]

Try LunarWerx 3D Print

Sources

  1. LunarWerx 3D Print's own description of itself (the product of this site's publisher)

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