Bimini Top Hold Down Bracket is loose, need fix

[ChooChooSnakeMan]

Hello fellow boaters. I have an Ebbtide fun cruiser that has a loose bimini top hold down bracket. It is on the starboard side in the back right next to the engine hatch. Both screws just spin. I can't tighten it or loosen it. The bracket won't lift up off the hull at all so I can't get anything even very thin under the bracket. I can just feel one of the backer nuts by reaching up under the cap with the engine hatch all the way up. I can't imagine being able to get a socket on the nut and I can't reach the second screw at all. Has anyone had this issue and how did you fix it. I try to take care of my boat stuff myself as I trust myself (well most of the time!) Any ideas are much appreciated and thanks in advance for your input.

 

[MikeSchinlaub]

I run into stuff like that all the time. Boats aren't made with repairs in mind. All of that hardware was installed while the cap was lifted up and easy to get to.

You might just have to have a second person hold the screw whilr you cram yourself in there to get to the nuts.

 

[Scott Danforth]

most of the deck hardware is bolted on BEFORE the cap goes on the boat.

you will most likely need to cut an access hole for a quick fix or like I had to do to tighten the aft hand railings on my boat. pull the motor to get room for my fat body to get access to use 2 feet of extension and a bright flashlight and mirror.

 

[MikeSchinlaub]

pull the motor to get room for my fat body to get access to use 2 feet of extension and a bright flashlight and mirror.

Sometimes being a short guy helps, og course then I have a hard time reaching stuff once I get squirrled into a tight spot.

Haven't gotten stuck yet though!

 

[ChooChooSnakeMan]

I run into stuff like that all the time. Boats aren't made with repairs in mind. All of that hardware was installed while the cap was lifted up and easy to get to.

You might just have to have a second person hold the screw whilr you cram yourself in there to get to the nuts.

I've thought of that but the area is very cramped to begin with, the side wall of the fiberglass vertical panel is very close and to make matters worse my boat has an 8.1 VP big block engine so there just isn't much room. I have had a suggestion that the back seat rest cushion in that area might not be a permanent installation but it may have clips or studs. The idea is that if I can get that backrest cushion off there may be access behind it or at least a good place to cut an access hole. I really don't want to cut any holes because I don't want to weaken the structure. I appreciate your input and interest in my issue.

 

[ChooChooSnakeMan]

most of the deck hardware is bolted on BEFORE the cap goes on the boat.

you will most likely need to cut an access hole for a quick fix or like I had to do to tighten the aft hand railings on my boat. pull the motor to get room for my fat body to get access to use 2 feet of extension and a bright flashlight and mirror.

Scott,

Well I'm not too excited about your reply but I do appreciate it and respect your experience with boats. I'm a engineer and pretty mechanically inclined but this problem has me at a loss for what to do. The best suggestion I've had so far is that the fixed back rest cushion that I thought was permanent may be held on my clips or studs. The idea is that if I can get that cushion off there may be access behind it or behind it may be a good place to cut an access hole. I plan to stop by the boat soon to check this out. I really don't want to cut any holes because I don't want to weaken the structure but I've got to do something because I know once the screws are loose it will only get worse and could I suppose cause the fiberglass top cap to fracture.

 

[Scott Danforth]

if its held on with clips, there will be one or two locking screws. look in the drain holes (if equipped) or under welting. then slide the panel the opposite direction of the lock screws

if its held on with christmas tree fasteners, then just pull. however sometimes you break things doing this

youre overthinking damaging or weakening the structure.

 

[Scott Danforth]

Haven't gotten stuck yet though!

when you do get stuck, dont panic. I had a panic attack and cracked a rib when I got stuck between the bilge gutter and the engine.

 

[MikeSchinlaub]

It could also be studs in T nuts in the back of the cushion.

youre overthinking damaging or weakening the structure.

I very much agree. Cutting a 3 inch access hole behind the cushion won't do anything.

when you do get stuck, dont panic. I had a panic attack and cracked a rib when I got stuck between the bilge gutter and the engine.

Ouch, luckily I've never been claustrophobic.