Bimini Top Issues: Scarab 195 HO Impulse

[Robert Sands]

Hello everyone. I wanted to share a little issue I had with my bimini top. This weekend we left our boat slipped in our marina overnight and during the night a wicked wind kicked up and ripped the center arm of the bimini top almost out of the tower. We should have taken it down when we left, but we thought it was going to be a good night weather wise. I've attached a few pictures.

As you can see it ripped the screw out of the tower. It looks like the anchor piece can be reused, but in case it can't does anyone know where to buy individual parts for the bimini top? I'm going to attempt to screw it back in, but I'm wondering if anyone has any suggestions on prepping the tower before I do that. I can't put the screw back through the opened hole. Perhaps some sort of adhesive first and a screw? I attached some pictures.

My girlfriend was taking care of things, when I get back I'll assess the damage and figure out what I'm going to do.

But this is a good lesson for those of us with bimini tops.

 

[ScarabMike]

I have a solution. That is going to be impossible to repair where it holds tight again as it sits.

Here is what your going to need. Ive done this on some bull bars.

1. rustolium textured flat black paint
2. Measure the thickness of the tower bar
3. take off the oem screw that you have left
4. Go to a hardware store and grab a drill bit that will go through both sides of the tower bar, and same thickness as the oem hole.
5. Grab some metal screws same thickness as the holes, and long enough to go to the other side of the bar.
5. Grab a set of washers, and locknuts to fit the screws.
6. Go home drill the holes and install the bimini bracket and the new bolts.
7. Install the washers and nuts on the reverse side.
8. Tighten everything.
9. Paint the hardware that is showing on the opposite side. Take your time, and dont overspray.
10. Once dry, enjoy your newly mounted hardware that will be stronger that ever.

Be careful drilling, there are wires in there. Might want to wiggle around, then drill.

 

[ScarabMike]

You know what, I just looked at mine, and your probably not
going to be able to do this because of the center bar. Im thinking....lol

 

[ScarabMike]

Here is another way I guess. Use JB weld fill the hole, and be liberal on the amount. Let it set. It says you can redrill through it. Pre drill to put less stress on the repair, and place the new screw in the new hole. Should work.
http://www.jbweld.com/products/steelstik-epoxy-putty-stick

 

[Robert Sands]

Thank you very much, I'll get back to you guys on how it went; JB is on order. Take care.

 

[itsdgm]

You could use some nut inserts. They are put in just like rivets. Hope that makes sense.

 

[Robert Sands]

Thanks guys, I'll let you know how the fixes work. Great suggestions.

 

[Slugger55]

That must have been one hell of a wind storm!!!

 

[Robert Sands]

Ya it was, you should have seen the issues the sail boats had. I got off easy.

 

[Robert Sands]

I just wanted to get back to you on this fix. I ended up just screwing the piece back in, and applying some JB Weld around the ends and on the inside. It's now going absolutely nowhere, JB Weld is some of the best stuff I've ever seen. I've used it a few more times on various other fixes to metal parts I needed. I'll finish it up with by filling in the gaps, and putting a little paint on it. Noone even notices there was ever an issue; great advice everyone, thank you.

I've attached a picture so you can see.

Thanks.

 

[Nathan]

I didn't read through all the comments guys but another solution is to use a rivet nut

 

[jpass]

I didn't read through all the comments guys but another solution is to use a rivet nut

+1 on the rivet nuts. That would be the best fix for this.