1985 Cheyenne Day Cruiser, engine cover lid/hatch fell off, replace wood?

[DirtyMaxin]

Picked up my 1985 Cheyenne Day Cruiser last April, had a trouble-free season, aside from losing fuel system prime due to sludge in my right tank. On our last weekend trip out, somehow, one of the cup holders in my engine cover hatch went missing on one of the trips around the lake, and on a later pass, a friend put her phone in the hole and dropped it in the bilge. I killed the motor to enable her to open the hatch and try to retrieve it, but she threw the hatch open expecting there to be straps (there aren't any) and my hatch screws came right out and the hatch fell of my stern and into the water. I pulled some of the staples back and moved the upholstery material, the edge where my brackets were attached was soft but the majority of the wood was solid. Wondering if I can get away with just running lag bolts threw larger hinges, not in a position to be able to afford new upholstery this season, hoping to get at least one, if not two more years on the water before the time comes for new seats. I would love some advice/examples. The boat is in storage but I'm going to be bringing it back home in a month or so to start pre season maintenance, planning on taking her to Laughlin at the end of February.

Thanks guys!

 

[sphelps]

Really could use some pics of what you have .. For a temporary fix you could probably do what you suggested or add some wood scabs on the inside if there is room ... Welcome aboard !

 

[DirtyMaxin]

Thank you!

I had a USB drive full of detailed photos and now I can't find it anywhere -.-;; The boats currently about an hour away so I can't just go snap some photos. The upholstery is fine, the woods mostly solid, its just a little soft on the edge where the hinges for the hatch are. I'll be restapling my seats soon as well and contemplating laying some new carpet down when I pull my tanks out to clean... I'm concerned that ill find a soft spot though.

I will try to get some photos soon!

 

[DirtyMaxin]

No Title

This is an example of the boat I have, BTW. Can't find a whole lot of data about these boats...

 

[gsxrdan]

Pull all staples and remove upholstery, trace or measure existing wood to new piece of ply, cut, sand edges, staple upholstery to new piece of ply. Done! if possible u can seal ply with a varnish or resin. I literally did this yesterday to 2 seat bases and engine hatch, took less than an hour all up. Good luck with it.

 

[DirtyMaxin]

Thanks guys, I ended up running some bigger bolts in. Now I'm on the my floor. I'm starting a new thread momentarily.