t-top on a center console

[scrapper]

i have a 23 center console.stern drive powered.the t-top keeps coming loose on the deck.it's not thru bolted.if i cut a deck plate where the top is bolted down,can i access the bolts ?? it's the original top.

[gofastsandman]

You could put some teak strips under the console , screwed and caulked to the deck and mount the console on top a la Mako.

[scrapper]

that's not an option.the top is secured to the console,wires are running through it,the top can't be raised.

[peterb]

I had a similar problem a couple of years ago and Don from Pipe Dreams Marine fixed it for me by adding some additional gussets between the t top and console.

Don's shop is just down the street from you and he is a fellow SeaCraft enthusiast.

Great guy that you can trust

Peter

web page

[scrapper]

how are additional gussets going to repair the problem where the bolt holes on the deck are worn too big ???

[ElBichoMalo]

Is it thru-bolted or just screwed to the deck? If it is screwed and and the holes are worn out, why don't you just ream out the holes a little and fill them with thickened resin. Then redrill and screw into the new resin.

[scrapper]

there's nothing in there to hold the epoxy-it will fall through.
that's why i'm asking the question about cutting a deck plate.this way,i can thru bolt the top.anything that is through bolted is much better than screwed into something.
i don't need to take my boat to pipe dreams marine.the top is in excellent condition,no disrespect,probably better than one made by them-no disrespect,i've seen his work.
i don't want to use a toggle bolt either-didn't know there was such a thing for a marine application.

[Dilligaf]

ouch...

[PipeDreamsMarine]

The ones that I've worked on you can't get your hand in between the deck and the stringer. Even if you drill a hole you can't get your hand in there to put the hardware on. I guess you could drill two holes on each side, close to the legs, that many work but then you have four holes in your deck. Best bet is a winter time project of removing the top and fixing the holes the right way. Your in Court House.. is this your boat..?

[peterb]

how are additional gussets going to repair the problem where the bolt holes on the deck are worn too big ???

Scrapper, I am guessing that they may have worn too big because they are getting too much pressure (because the console is not absorbing enough of the weight).

As some of the other members said you can fill in the holes with various materials (a couple of years ago I bought these composite rods [G10???] and used a 105/205 to glue them into my deck. Put your screws into that and they won't move again]).

I bet that if you called Don at PDM he would take a free quick look at it and tell you what the issues are (and how they can be best fixed) and at what cost.

Peter