INTERIOR QUESTIONS!! How do you mount side panels to hull after re covering them????

[Lukelona]

I am getting ready to recover all my side panels and bow seats.
i am unsure how to attatch these side penels to the cap of the hull.
obviously you dont screw through the front of them.
Im not doing a seam or different colors so i cant hide a screw.
I need some insight from someone who knows or has done this before.

Im also looking for the cheapest place to get marine vinyl.
Anyone who knows off hand id be glad to figure it out! thanks!

 

[badger32]

Re: INTERIOR QUESTIONS!! How do you mount side panels to hull after re covering them?

Not sure if they are all the same but I have just done my sea ray and they were fitted with fang bolts through the marine ply then through the edge of fibreglass, if you try to look behind the Pannels to see if there's bolts, I'm in uk and found fang bolts hard to find so I used what we call coach bolts 6mm x40mm stainless steel done a good job was going to post some pics.

 

[Woodonglass]

Re: INTERIOR QUESTIONS!! How do you mount side panels to hull after re covering them?

How are they attached now?

 

[Lukelona]

Re: INTERIOR QUESTIONS!! How do you mount side panels to hull after re covering them?

ok yes, please attatch any pics you have of this.
and i havent removed them all yet,only the two pieces that were rotten and basically falling off.
they appered to have screws in them??? but i dont see them through the front??
I dont know how this would work, unless there is something im missing...

I want to know so that i dont damage the fiberglass trying to temove the old ones.
Then obviously so i can re attatch them.

 

[badger32]

Re: INTERIOR QUESTIONS!! How do you mount side panels to hull after re covering them?

If you look at the side Pannels imagine the covers are removed I then drilled a 5mm hole through the wood at the pound where the old ones were bolted then put a 6mm coach bolt through the holes from the cover sides and rebuild the Pannels with foam and covers, the coach bolt square head acts as a lock when hammered into the wood so u only need to tighten from behind fiberglass pannel when refitting them.

Pics of coach bolts
https://www.google.co.uk/search?q=c...OI7Aa0u4HoDA&ved=0CAgQ_AUoAQ&biw=320&bih=444#

 

[PatriotPhantom]

Re: INTERIOR QUESTIONS!! How do you mount side panels to hull after re covering them?

Hope this helps.

if the panels are not heavy, I think you could use something similar to these, similar to automotive trim panels.

Dorman AutoGrade 45092 - Panel Trim Retainer | O'Reilly Auto Parts

Dorman AutoGrade 45115 - Panel Trim Retainer | O'Reilly Auto Parts

If you have plywood backing to the panels and you can get behind the mounting area, I would use something like these (in stainless),

Tee Nuts at Fastener SuperStore

Peter

 

[britisher]

Re: INTERIOR QUESTIONS!! How do you mount side panels to hull after re covering them?

Last year I refurbished my 89 Sea Ray 180 BR. All the ply was rotten. I did the bow side panes last year and am doing the main cockpit side panels this year. They were attached with what are called 'Tee Nuts'. Tee nuts have a threaded post with 3 or 4 points on the edges. Basically the panel is drilled and the tee nut pushed into the hole with the points sticking into the wood. They are attached before re-upholstery. They fit on the outer side of the panel facing inward. You then screw machine screws so that the screw end faces toward the boat side. As you tighten the crew in to the tee nut it pulls the tee nut points tighter into the ply panel. After upholstery, the panels will have the machine screw ends sticking out. When you re-attached the panels, the screw ends fit through the holes in the boat sides. After that, you simply use washer and nuts to tighten everything up and pull the panels tight to the boat side. You can buy both steel and stainless steel tee nuts from Lowes. West Marine also sell them. However, they are expensive from those outlets. Lowe's were asking $4.00 PER TEE NUT. I found Jamestown Distributors to have the best prices at about 50c each. For some insane reason Sea Ray used Stainless tee nuts, stainless machine screws, stainless nuts and steel washers. The washers rusted solid and totally screwed everything up. I replaced everything stainless.

 

[Lukelona]

Re: INTERIOR QUESTIONS!! How do you mount side panels to hull after re covering them?

Awesome! Thanks so much!

I am gonna try to dig up some tee nuts locally. I was totally stumped how to attatch these things.
Now i have a pretty good idea of how im gonna do it.
I will post pics as soon as i get the vinyl done to close out this thread.
Any other input is still appriciated.

 

[britisher]

Re: INTERIOR QUESTIONS!! How do you mount side panels to hull after re covering them?

Before you buy locally (and you will pay more), compile a list of any screws, bolts, nuts, washers, tee nuts you'll need and check the website of Jamestown Distributors. I bought a chunk of stuff from them last year and their pricing is the best. Service is good and you can talk to human beings who know their stuff. They are based in Rhode Island and they are a good place to do business with.

 

[Lukelona]

Re: INTERIOR QUESTIONS!! How do you mount side panels to hull after re covering them?

Before you buy locally (and you will pay more), compile a list of any screws, bolts, nuts, washers, tee nuts you'll need and check the website of Jamestown Distributors. I bought a chunk of stuff from them last year and their pricing is the best. Service is good and you can talk to human beings who know their stuff. They are based in Rhode Island and they are a good place to do business with.

Ok will do..It will prolly be better anyway bc the local places really lack in SS harware options.
i have what i need for the first project of the floor....

i will tally up what i need for the vinyl and carpet layout

thanks again

 

[benjh1028]

Re: INTERIOR QUESTIONS!! How do you mount side panels to hull after re covering them?

Here's how most of mine were attached, along with a few te nuts on th really large pieces:

Double End Xmas Tree Retainer

 

[Lukelona]

Re: INTERIOR QUESTIONS!! How do you mount side panels to hull after re covering them?

i dont think thats how mine are on, but i double check tommorrow.
i think im gonna go with all tee nuts.
My luck them plastic facias will break after getting weathered a little and ill have to change how they mount.
At least with the tee nuts, know they are bolted and not going anywhere.

I have a few small panels, if the price is a lot different ill get some of the plastic xmas tree retainers.

Thanks again guys! yall are the best!

 

[rlamothe]

Re: INTERIOR QUESTIONS!! How do you mount side panels to hull after re covering them?

mine had a fold in the vynal every so many feet that was used to hide the screw. I have a guy doing mine now and I got the impression he didn't plan on doing that again. I expect to get them back next week so when I see what his solution is ill let you know

 

[Lukelona]

Re: INTERIOR QUESTIONS!! How do you mount side panels to hull after re covering them?

Ya mine was held by screws hidden in the seams.
Poor design, cut slice with razor allowing water intrusion.

I replaced with t-nuts and 1/4" x 1" bolts .
Tip, you have to install all tnuts prior to recovering panels.

Comes out very nice, clean and way better then factory .
Pics soon to follow