Jump to content

Welcome to TheMalibuCrew!

As a guest, you are welcome to poke around and view the majority of the content that we have to offer, but in order to post, search, contact members, and get full use out of the website you will need to Register for an Account. It's free and it's easy, so don't hesitate to join the TheMalibuCrew Family today!

Might as well do it now, you will have to eventually...


TallRedRider

Recommended Posts

I noticed that the hinges on my seats seemed loose in a couple of places.  Much to my surprise, I found that the seat hinges were attached with wood screws through the lip of fiberglass, and had become loose.  This comes as no surprise when you realize that the fiberglass in this area is about 1/4 inch thick.  There just isn't enough purchase on the fiberglass to keep the screws from becoming loose.  And it always does make me a little uneasy to have the sharp ends sticking into the storage compartment, even if they are tucked up under the lip.  I also noticed that although the hinge is clearly beveled so that a beveled screw could be placed, they used pan head screws with a flat bottom, making it even more likely that the hinge will wobble and eventually make the screw come loose.  

So I went to the hardware store and for about 7 dollars fixed the problem on all of my seats.  I placed a stainless beveled bolt, and a washer and nylock nut on the back side.  It was not difficult at all.  

Here is what the final product looks like.  

 

This is the factory screw on the right, and the new bolt, nylock nut and washer.  Note how the factory screw is not beveled to fit properly into the hinge.  

 

I was a little surprised when I removed the hinge, that I was not the first guy to remove that hinge.   They apparently had to drill new holes to put it in the right location at the factory. :cry::Doh:

20191105_111117.jpg

20191105_110409.jpg

20191102_141426.jpg

Edited by TallRedRider
  • Like 3
Link to comment

Good fix I keep a screwdriver in the boat and hit all sorts of screws all the time been meaning to do something like this when I get time especially on rear hatches as we use ours a ton getting in and out access to gear and jackets.. good fix! Although IMO these things should be standard, it is 2020 and all.. fo the cost of a house they could put $50 better hardware into these boats.. but then it would require an extra hour on assembly line. Ha

Oh and measure 2x drill once .. I heard that as a kid somewhere haha

Link to comment

I have been doing a lot of the same on mine. Where the bolts stick through in spots I have been replacing them with shorter bolts when possible and capping the ones I cant with plastic caps. One of my brand new BABZ was assaulted by a bolt in the locker which was the last straw. 😡 I have also had to sand down some of the fiberglass razor blades in the bilge that remove meat and in the rear lockers that have scuffed up some jackets. I love my boat, but some of the construction processes will definitely take the fan boy wind out of your sails! 

  • Like 2
  • Haha 1
Link to comment
4 hours ago, MLA said:

Those holes do not looked beveled and should be. Good source for future stress cracks. 

The hinge itself has beveled edges and the bolt fits nicely into it.  The hinge is thick enough that none of the beveled edge of the bolt touches the fiberglass.  I also had to widen the holes with a drill bit, so the bolt does not put much pressure on the gel or fiberglass.  I think I forgot to say that.  With the flat hinge laying against the flat gelcoat, I think beveling these particular holes might be overkill.   Maybe I will report back next summer with my cracks.  

  • Like 3
Link to comment

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Restore formatting

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.

×
×
  • Create New...