NEW ZEALANDBUILDERS PLATE

Fitting your plates

What you need

In the pack

  • Your plates
  • Aluminium rivets in two lengths, four of each per plate

You supply

  • Sikaflex-291, 3M 5200 or equivalent
  • 3.3 mm drill bit and a drill
  • Rivet gun
  • Spirit level
  • Sandpaper, solvent cleaner and a rag

From Mitre 10, Bunnings or Burnsco.

Where each plate goes

NZBP plate fitted to a protected cockpit side panel
Your NZBP plateFit inside the hull, where it is protected and easy to read. First choice: inside the transom, on the starboard side.
Plate on the trailer drawbar
NZVR trailer plate, if orderedOn the drawbar frame, clear of the coupling and chains.
Hidden HIN, if suppliedSomewhere out of sight. Only we need to know where.

Fit each plate

A competent person with the right tools and some DIY experience on their boat can fit the plates; if you are not confident, use a boatbuilder or marine repairer.

This page is guidance only, and we are not responsible for damage caused by fitting.

  1. Check the plate

    Check that the HIN and details match your boat or trailer. If not, contact us before you fit it.

  2. Prepare the surface

    Sand and clean the spot as indicated below for your boat.

  3. Position the plate

    Choose a flat spot. Hold the plate level with a spirit level and mark the holes. Do not bend the plate to fit a curve.

  4. 3.3 mm

    Drill for rivets

    If your surface takes rivets, drill through the marks with the 3.3 mm bit. The rivets supplied are 3.2 mm, in two lengths: use the shorter for thin panels and the longer for thicker ones. Too thick for the rivets? Use screws instead. Do not drill into a foam or balsa core.

  5. Apply the adhesive

    Where your surface takes adhesive, spread a thin layer over the whole back of the plate. Put adhesive into each hole to seal it.

  6. Fix the plate

    Press the plate into place. Fit the four rivets supplied, or the screws and washers your surface needs. On a cored panel, bond only. Wipe off excess adhesive.

  7. Let the adhesive cure

    Follow the time on the tube before you wash or launch.

Tell us it is fitted

Use Record fitting in the email we sent with your plates. Add a photo of each plate if you can. We publish your boat's record once we confirm it. Your NZBP plate must stay fitted and in view.

Your surface

What is the plate going on?

Boat

Fibreglass

Solid fibreglass

Prepare
Sand the gelcoat dull. Wipe with solvent.
Fix with
Adhesive and rivets

Fibreglass with a foam or balsa core

Prepare
Do not drill into the core. Bond only, or find a solid spot and fit it as solid fibreglass.
Fix with
Adhesive only

Metal

Bare aluminium

Prepare
Sand bright. Wipe clean. Prime if the adhesive maker says so.
Fix with
Adhesive and rivets

Painted metal

Prepare
Sand the paint dull. Wipe clean.
Fix with
Adhesive and rivets

Wood

Prepare
Sand. Wipe clean.
Fix with
Adhesive and 3 mm stainless screws with nylon washers under the heads

Plastic (polyethylene)

Prepare
Adhesive will not hold.
Fix with
Rivets or screws with backing washers

Carpet or trim

Prepare
Never fix to trim. Pick a hard surface nearby.
Fix with
As for that surface

Trailer

Galvanised trailer

Prepare
Wipe clean. Do not grind off the galvanising.
Fix with
Adhesive and rivets

Painted trailer

Prepare
Sand the paint dull. Wipe clean.
Fix with
Adhesive and rivets

Do not use the adhesive on acrylic or polycarbonate. Screws and washers are not in the pack.