Sheared Hardtop Bolts

[Jtravis]

Hello all- I have a 2003 330 Express. I was running in from offshore yesterday and I snapped a few through bolts that anchor the hard top. Any ideas as to what they should be replaced with? Is standard stainless ok or should it be a hardened variety?

 

[Hookup1]

316 Stainless is plenty. 306 is cheap stainless and will rust stain. Should be 1/4-20. The hardtop should be caulked - silicone ok - bed it and keep it from "working" the bolts. Washers and stop nuts.

 

[Jtravis]

316 Stainless is plenty. 306 is cheap stainless and will rust stain. Should be 1/4-20. The hardtop should be caulked - silicone ok - bed it and keep it from "working" the bolts. Washers and stop nuts.

Thanks for the reply! I will definitely do that. I was surprised when they popped. It was pretty rough but to be honest I expected better. It created a hazardous situation and I had to creep home at 10mph.

 

[SkunkBoat]

make sure the holes did not get widened. That would require drilling/filling/drilling

 

[Hookup1]

When I re-installed my hardtop after re-finishing it I installed plastic insulators top and bottom. These keep the stainless from contacting the aluminum. If as SkunkBoat said, if they got enlarged/elongated drill them out and insulate them. It's easy and effective.

It's a common technique used by all the outrigger companies.

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