Bow & Cockpit Cover installation

[adubs]

Hey guys, I'll be installing the bow and cockpit myself, any recommendations for drilling into the deck for the snap screws? The dealer said to drill 1/8" pilot holes with a countersink in order to not "spider" the clear/gel coating.

 

[Matt Phillips]

That's an ambitious project. Take pics and document for the rest of us. I've heard one thing that helps is to drill through painters tape as it'll help keep the glass from scratching. Those who are more experienced with fiberglass repair can likely chime in here.

 

[Bluewater272]

Agreed on the ambitious project, that many holes and the need for precision would have me hire this one out.

Drilling fiberglass is no big deal though. Cover with painters tape and drill your pilot hole. Then run a countersink bit on top to open the hole up a little. You'll be fine.

 

[Julian]

I did a bow cover on my LX210. Really need two people to do the job as getting the snaps aligned isn't easy. Drilling the holes is no big deal as the head of the snap covers any cracks....but drilling slowly is the key, I drilled in reverse first, then forward slowly and never had a crack that could be seen. I'm anal, and my cover was 1/2 inch more on one side than the other because I did it alone. I was the only person who could see it!

 

[adubs]

I'm not too afraid of the project, just don't want to F-up the coating! Any advice is always welcome. As for the reason for ambition, well my shipping cover has finally given up the ghost and is starting to fray and leak water. So I found a pretty good deal on the bow cover on ebay a couple weeks ago, and then today I think I found the steal of a lifetime from the Yamaha Accessories web page. I won't stop worrying if the price is real until I get it!
Here is a snip-it for the price on the SX 195 cockpit cover.

 

[johhnyboat]

I did a bow cover on my LX210. Really need two people to do the job as getting the snaps aligned isn't easy. Drilling the holes is no big deal as the head of the snap covers any cracks....but drilling slowly is the key, I drilled in reverse first, then forward slowly and never had a crack that could be seen. I'm anal, and my cover was 1/2 inch more on one side than the other because I did it alone. I was the only person who could see it!

@Julian Sorry to resurrect an old thread, but I am curios about drilling into the trim around the windshield. I'm very concerned about breaking it.

 

[Matt Phillips]

I think I read somewhere that it helps to put some tape over the spot you want to drill into to help keep the fiberglass from chipping...

 

[johhnyboat]

I have read that too, but I am most concerned about drilling into the trim around the windshield. I don't want to break it and have a whole new set of problems.

 

[rad1026]

Windshileds for the most part are Irreplaceable, don't ask me how I know. You do not want to screw that up. You are correct to have concerns there. Not much help I know.

 

[Sx240]

For the window mine came with clips that slide into the groove no drilling necessary I hope yours will be the same

 

[johhnyboat]

No, where did you get the clips from?

 

[johhnyboat]

never mind, I found them on Sailrite. They are bright shiny silver so I think I will oxidize them black to match the trim.

 

[Sx240]

Actually came with the cover for the cockpit and I’m guessing with the bow cover to soon as I find one

 

[Sx240]

Mine are black plastic

 

[johhnyboat]

did you order the cover with snaps? or without?

 

[Sx240]

With

 

[Sx240]

The snaps

 

[johhnyboat]

Does it have the snaps already attached to the cover? I guess I misunderstood, I didn't want them on the cover.

 

[Sx240]

 

[Sx240]

So they just fold and go in the groove