helm and t top mods....

mphdws1 · #1 03-16-2012, 12:19 AM

I picked up a used 23' cc last year; hull is a 2000.....at the end of last season, the front port t-top leg came loose from the deck. Had a couple of guys take a look at it, and they found some major problems. FIRST, t-top is too big for the boat/console. The whole combo appears to be after market, as I can see previously patched screw holes in the deck where an old top used to be. As for the console, it is a clamshell type console, and not sure if this type is factory/original?
SECOND, the t-top appears not to have been designed correctly; there are support arms from the top to the bottom half of the console only; this leaves the upper two-thirds of the t-top free to twist when underway, which is why I believe the t-top food came loose.
NOW the issue is what can I do that's most economical and at the same time prevent this problem from recurring? I will not be doing the work myself---limited knowledge. The welder said he could possibly add some supports to the top, but can't guarantee it would not sway due to the sheer size of the t-top. SO, the best we could come up with is installing a new, smaller top.
Here's where I run into problems. With the current clamshell configuration of the console, there is no solid structure (i.e. the upper half of the console is attached to the bottom with hinges, so we cannot attach support bars from the t-top to the upper half). Thus, the two options the we came up with are

1) glass the console at the seam, from the inside, and add some access hatches to enter the console. This sound like it'd be cheaper, but would that create a sturdy-enough, one-piece console to which we could anchor the t-top? (2) locate a new or used 1 piece console/helm. I hesitate to do this because I'd like to be able to use the boat by May/June, I'd have to travel most likely to locate a console, AND I'd have to have all the control/wires/electronics/steering switched over to a new console, and I'd imagine this would add quite a bit of cost as I'd not be doing it myself....
I attached several pictures of the console and t-top frame, as well as same hand drawn schematics.....Any suggestions/help? Would REALLY appreciate any feedback-----Thanks! Mike

Blue_Heron · #2 03-16-2012, 06:01 AM

Post a picture of the whole T-top so we can see how large it is and how the frame is braced against twist. The front leg fasteners experience a lot of pull out force when under way, so it's no surprise they are the first to let go. What size are those screws? Wood screws, or through bolts?

Dave

mphdws1 · #3 03-16-2012, 08:47 AM

Dave---unfortunately I live an hour away from boat, and don't have any other pics right now for perspective.....however, you can see in the pics almost all the places that the t-top attached to the lower half of the console. The top also attaches to the front of the lower console via the front crossbar of the t-top. Also, the t-top is prob a foot too wide, and a foot too long (according to the welder). May primary question is----do I need to have a solid, 1-piece console to effectively anchor a t-top frame?

Bryan A. · #4 03-16-2012, 04:36 PM

Put cross bracing in between the uprights and rebed everything.

More pics would help too.

mphdws1 · #5 03-16-2012, 05:17 PM

BTW, not sure of screw length in top's feet; they are NOT through bolted.....

Chrisp · #6 03-16-2012, 07:22 PM

How often do you raise the console? Could you attach aluminium angle on the inside of bottom section and thread the angle and then through bolt it to secure top section of the console better. Then 5200 aluminium plate on top inside of console and weld a higher support on the T top and thread the plate and through bolt it. this would give you higher support. Not sure if this would be strong enough though.