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.

[fdheld34]

So your question is that your Ttop basically is loose or ripped out from deck??!!!!!!!
Look for some stainless toggle bolts. I know they make toggle inserts for helm pedistals...might work to hold down t top securly as well. Or go with above option of epoxy...also might try cutting foam material a little wider and deeper than holes (like a cylinder shape), soak with epoxy..push foam material into holes until top half of epoxy soaked foam material is sticking above deck. After epoxy dries grind down dried epoxy/foam material and redrill for fasteners. The dried epoxy foam material will extend down past underside of deck and give your bolt more depth to screw into.

[76Red18]

After you get the fasteners taken care of, take it to Pipe Dreams and see about having your top stiffend up. There might even be a crack along a weld you don't see, causing it to flex and pull the fasteners

[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

[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.