t-top on a center console

gofastsandman · #1 09-04-2008, 08:18 PM

5 posts and so many negative waves......
You were given many solutions already. You don`t need to fill the holes completely, just build up the edges to give you proper "tooth". Thicken up some epoxy with wood flour or milled fiber or both. Roll up a piece of paper towel and shove it down the hole to the bottom. Inject w/ hypo. , and release bubbles w a cocktail straw.When still affected by gravity push the ball down. Done deal. Oh , you also get the added benefit of knowing these holes won`t be the root cause of future deck failure.Nuf said!
I`m GFS and I approved this message!

fdheld34 · #2 09-05-2008, 10:40 AM

GFS---
nicely said, couldn't agree more

Fred

scrapper · #3 09-05-2008, 07:10 PM

Quote:

5 posts and so many negative waves......
You were given many solutions already. You don`t need to fill the holes completely, just build up the edges to give you proper "tooth". Thicken up some epoxy with wood flour or milled fiber or both. Roll up a piece of paper towel and shove it down the hole to the bottom. Inject w/ hypo. , and release bubbles w a cocktail straw.When still affected by gravity push the ball down. Done deal. Oh , you also get the added benefit of knowing these holes won`t be the root cause of future deck failure.Nuf said!
I`m GFS and I approved this message!

not trying to be negitive,i just asked a question about cutting a few deck plates,got some wierd answers,that's all...
i had a glass guy come and look at it,he told me i needed a deck ?? the deck is very solid-not sure why or how he came up with that ?? i really can't see how a gusset or 2 is gonna change the situation either?? it seems to me,these tops should be thru bolted to the deck.i'm going to try the paper towel trick with the epoxy,i just was sure it would run and drip through the hole.i will let everyone know how i make out.thank you for the replies.

fdheld34 · #4 09-05-2008, 09:19 PM

Everyone is here to help..not to sound like a "suck up" but I have absorbed so much knowledge since I joined the site a short while ago...when it comes to resto/repairs of seacrafts this is the place ...and has helped me tremedously with my never ending money dumping project ..keep us posted on your results (with pics too)using GFS's method...I had the same problem with my pedistal seats coming loose as well and it was not my deck either (I utilized toggle bolts)!
Fred

oldfielder · #5 09-06-2008, 10:23 AM

I'll stir this pot a little. I have a very similar top-I don't love the design because it has a lot of flex., but it's what I'm stuck with.
When I got it, my front legs had gotten loose, as well.
Here's what we did-
As others have stated, there's basically no wiggle room in there. On my boat we cut access through the gas tank hatch, which is in the console anyway, so it's out of sight. I suppose you could remove the hatch to do this work as well, depending on your application.
Once we had access, we took thick pieces of scrap aluminum and epoxied them in under the feet of the front legs(between the deck and the stringer), tapped the aluminum through the pre-existing holes in the deck, re-fastened the top. It hasn't budged in three years.
If your top wiggles like mine does-hopefully it does not, you might need more bite than the re-filled holes are going to give you.
Some worry about electrolysis between stainless screws and aluminum plate, but healthy coatings of 5200 or 4200 should solve that issue.