A few amateur builder questions

I'm building my second wooden runabout and working on the motorwell area. I'll be coating most areas with epoxy, but do I need to coat the areas underneath the motorwell that will not be seen nor painted? I'm using ash and exterior plywood. The underside of the motorwell will not be subject to water contact, so is it necessary?

Also, I'm looking into buying some cable grommets/outlets to suit my teleflex steering cable and a few more cables that will be going through the side of the motorwell. What is a good supplier for these? I'm not really looking for the flexible rubber boots but more of these types of outlets:

http://www.iboats.com/Seachoice-Cab...56959095--session_id.961371540--view_id.21303

I need some 1/2" or 5/8" size or something comparable.

 

You will need to triple coat these areas. You are using a wood that is unsuitable for the task so you will have to protect it fiercely if you want it to last any length of time. Three coats of epoxy is the minimum I would put there... after all you can't inspect it so you need as an impermeable barrier to water as you can get. It WILL get water in there either in liquid or vapor/humidity form and if it isn't well coated it will rot from the inside out.

 

I agree. The point of thee epoxy is to saturate enough of the wood that not only will water not penetrate it, but also humidity won't cause the would to expand and shrink. You are stabilizing the wood. 3 coast should do the job. Make sure you seal the edges of the wood as well.