Ski locker cover issue

[bashr52]

Hi All, I just replaced the old storage compartment door on my boat (which was nothing more than a piece of hinged plywood) to a nice teak piece. It has a nice formed aluminum ring that goes down and the cover drops into this. The issue I have is the cover does not fit tight in the frame, and the only thing that holds the cover in is the very edges of the outter teak boards, which are held in with just a few screws. I'm afraid to even step on the thing as it looks like it would just snap and fold in on itself.

 

[Augoose]

Pictures would go a long way to help explain what you are facing. Was the replacement teak cover made for your boat? Is it "supposed" to fit? If it is actually for your model boat? It sounds like the recess where the lid closes down into might no longer be square due to flexing of the deck or maybe structural loss? If the cover wasn't made for your boat you might be trying to put a round peg in a square hole.
Measure the width of your ski locker cavity at both ends - is it square? Do those measurements match up with your new teak cover?

 

[bashr52]

Sorry I should have been more clear. The cover and frame I purchased as a set that was removed from a salvage boat. I cut a new hole in my deck to fit it. The frame fits nice and tight in my new hole, its the cover I have an issue with. I will get a picture of it tonight, I just painted the deck so it is not currently installed. I'm looking for some input as to how these covers are usually supported.

 

[Chris1956]

They are usually supported by the aluminum frame. Those frames can sometimes be made a bit smaller, by shimming between the frame and the boat. Alternatively, you will need to screw some flat aluminum to the underside of the teak to give it some strength.

 

[foodfisher]

Oh Oh, sounds like trouble. The metal frame on my ski locker is attached to the cover not the hole. Sounds like you're going to need a bigger lid or a smaller hole.

 

[haulnazz15]

Oh Oh, sounds like trouble. The metal frame on my ski locker is attached to the cover not the hole. Sounds like you're going to need a bigger lid or a smaller hole.

That is a pretty standard setup. Rectangular oval aluminum frame attached to the floor, and a lid (either plywood or teak) that fits within. It's how my boat was made.

OP: I would make sure that frame is as tight as you can get it around the teak lid. I have even seen a few who put small wood supports around the edges of the frame (upholstered in carpet) in order to keep the frame from flexing underfoot.

 

[Frank Acampora]

Just reinforce each piece of wood with a stainless 6-32 or 8-32 TEE nut underneath and appropriately sized stainless flat head screws going through from top to the tee nuts. The wood will be strong enough to hold almost anyone. It is not rocket science.

 

[bashr52]

Here's what I'm dealing with. The edges seems to fit now that everything is assembled tight with the frame. It's the length I'm worried about. If the cover slides fully to the front or rear, it's barely hanging on the edge of the frame.

 

[theBrownskull]

Get a small piece of flat aluminum, cut it to match the ends of the existing aluminum frame and mount it where the gap between the wood is. I would do it on both ends. You might want to cut existing pieces and mount it on the sides of the aluminum frame so it is level. That way the wood has something to sit on and you don't have to modify the wood.

You could use screws and counter sink them so they are flush with the top.

 

[midcarolina]

Glue and screw a wood block under the center runner where the block rests against the aluminum frame...... they will act as a stop to limit any forward or aft movement of the lid.......You can make the block the same width of the center runner so it is not seen from topside.

 

[LippCJ7]

if it were me I would call this one a do over, you want the cover to fit snuggly, yours looks to have1/2"-3/4" of room to move around. You can do this at home though nothing you need to go out and purchase, wood is pretty forgiving to work with so long as you don't go to short.....