263 Bimini Quick Disconnect popped off

[smokymance]

After some winds and rough waters, the quick disconnect on the port side decided to come off this weekend.

IMG_0715.jpg

0000029_300.jpg

The short little screws that hold the quick release on basically came off the fiberglass...lucky the fiberglass has very little cracking that wont be seen once the unit is put back on but the threads wont keep the bolts secure anymore. I cant use any 5200 or similar either as the quick release has the mechanisms and spring in the back that need to move around freely.

Does anyone have any suggestions for a fix? I was thinking of trying to figure out how to remove the inside panels by my little kitchen drawer, using bolts across with washers so it is becomes little more robust (sorta how cleats are attached).

I dont know if there is any other way to get in there to get access to inside of the fiberglass on that specific area.

Any other suggestions are super welcome!! Thanks guys!

LM

[Big Block Power]

Yea I would see if you can get behind there and secure them.
Every now and then I go around my boat and hit each screw with a screwdriver.

[AsLan7]

.
Man. That’s going to be tough LM. The subwoofer opening is probably too low. The galley cabinet may be your best bet like you mentioned but there is probably a panel behind that too. Take good pictures. Hopefully I’ll never have the same issue since we hardly ever use our Bimini.

Personally I think I would fill the holes with JB Weld and then simply redrill them. Then fasten the quick disconnect that way.

I did that with the port side windshield screws that had pulled out. Worked pretty well.

.

[smokymance]

Yeah that area is a little tricky to get too from underneath. No issues w the JB weld? Holding off pretty good ???

[AsLan7]

Yeah that area is a little tricky to get too from underneath. No issues w the JB weld? Holding off pretty good ???

.
Yes. The stuff is like iron once it dries (which is fairly quick). If it will hold a windshield that as you know gets pressure put on it while getting up and down on the bow, it will certainly hold your Bimini quick release.

[smokymance]

Oh I agree. I put that once on an old scooter to fill an exhaust hole and it was solid! I was just curious how it held w the rest of the fiberglass. I’ll try to clean up any little loose pieces and fill her in.

[smokymance]

So i filled the hole with some JB weld....waited two days to dry...re-drilled the holes (same location as they were before really) w a smaller sized drill and used all the same hardware to remount the quick disconnect...last trip i took it held just fine...weather was ok so ill keep posted how she does in any rough waters!

[AsLan7]

So i filled the hole with some JB weld....waited two days to dry...re-drilled the holes (same location as they were before really) w a smaller sized drill and used all the same hardware to remount the quick disconnect...last trip i took it held just fine...weather was ok so ill keep posted how she does in any rough waters!

.
Hey thanks for the follow up SM. Any pics of your work?

[smokymance]

Unfortunately no, it was fairly simple as i just mixed the JB weld, filled in the holes, let it sit for two days and re-drilled it out...the finished product after the quick disconnect was placed back looked just like it did before....hopefully it holds...time will tell!

[AsLan7]

Roger that SM. Nice job.

[smokymance]

No, thank you! It was ur suggestion!