Engine Cover Hinge Repair

[Maxum88]

Just wondering if anyone has replaced the hinge on their engine cover to anything better than what I'm dealing with? The wood on the underside of the cover, although seems to be good, it may be stripped out or starting to deteriorate. Also, the sheet metal screws work their way out of the fiberglass of the boat. Not sure if this thing is what came with the boat, or if it is a previous owner's fix.
It's a 1995 Mariah Talari 18' open bow with a 3.0L Mercruiser LX with an Alpha One outdrive.

Thanks!
Please see attached pic for further clarification on the hinge I'm referring to.

 

[gm280]

Well Maxum88, it looks like the typical piano hinges. And if there are a few holes stripped out, you have a few options to fix them. You could simply move the screws to other holes (drill some a little away from the originals) OR, remove the screws and hinge and drill out the stripped holes and plug them with wooden dowels and glue and after cured, predrill them for the screws again. OR, drill them out and fill them with either epoxy or polyester resin and Cabisol mixture, allow it to cure and predrill the holes again. I don't see any real issue with them myself. But that is because I could make them totally solid again... JMHO!

 

[Woodonglass]

Pretty sure that's the factory hinge and it's a common thing for the screws to come loose once the wood backer deteriorates due to water getting in and rot. You're gunna have to remove the cover and inspect the backer plate and see just how bad it is. You MIGHT (emphasis on the MIGHT) be able to use a syringe and inject some epoxy into the screw holes and then redrill them and salvage it for a while, but at best this will be a temporary fix. More than likely you'll need to remove the vinyl and replace the wood to acheive the best more permanent results. Of course that's just One OLD DUMB OKIES OPINION!!!!

 

[Scott Danforth]

for the fiberglass, if you can get access to the backside (under the cap, near the transom), and the area is clear of floatation foam, then I would simply build a backer-bar. a piece of stainless with holes tapped in it. then glue it in place.

as for the swim deck / hatch cover, WOG is on point with exactly what needs to be done there.

your boat is 20 years old, about double the life expectancy that Mariah had for it.

 

[Maxum88]

Thanks all...I was hoping this was just something someone had devised as a quick fix. I'll give the wood a good inspection and see what kind of rot I'm dealing with. I'll also probably take the suggestion and fill the holes with some epoxy and see if I can't get the screws to grab a little better.