Back of Helm Screws Pulling Out

[BradV]

I dont want to say this too loud because of you guys up north. But this past weekend when I was running to the Bahamas I noticed a clicking sound when i would hit a wave. Well when I got back it turns out that the screws that hold the back of the helm on with the door to see in had pulled half of its screws out. Has anyone had this problem? Did you just end up through bolting it? Seems like thats something that shouldnt happen especially as the boat is an 08.

 

[Bryan 2530]

The screws holding the door or the whole helm enclosure??

I haven't noticed anything.

 

[TheOtherLine]

That's happened to me in the same location and where the tackle station attaches under the port seat. I just removed the existing screws (#6), replaced them with #8's and added epoxy to the screws before putting them back in.

Through bolting the electronics box behind the helm station would not look very good in my opinion.

 

[BradV]

The whole back of the helm. it seems like there is a base at the bottom that i can through bolt through and it wont show through on the front. plus it only has one screw on the starboard side holding it on. ive tried the fish eyes but that didnt work. I was thinking of a bigger screw but at this point it seems like the screw is pulling out and the head is sinking in.

 

[TheOtherLine]

The whole back of the helm.

Are you talking about his part? If you are, I don't think you can thru bolt that without it coming out the interior part of the cabin. Acorn nuts or whatever, it's going to look like a set of grills.

 

[TheOtherLine]

so how do you feel about the 10 screwheads around edge of access panel?

more "grillz" ? Who knows, might be popular after Jan 20. :roll: :lol:

I don't mind those as they are INSIDE the cabin and not viewable from the helm area. But to have 10 acorns popping through the outside .....

 

[BradV]

yes thats exactly the spot that im talking about. it seems like i can only but through bolts where they currently have the screws in it. Turns out the build out where the binnacle is mounted is there so i have room to thru bolt the bottom two holes. whats stupid is the starboard side of the unit does not line up with anything to screw into. the 3 top screws go into a little piece of wood thats screwed into the top. I guess ill just through bolt it and hope it works.

 

[BradV]

i guess i could epoxy it all in place. im going to try to through bolt it but it seems almost like the starboard side is supposed to be held off about 3/4" because of the way it is built. I jumped on a new 28 at the local dealer and saw the exact same thing. his just had more screws than mine. so im hoping that this should help.

 

[grouperjim]

a sawzall and duct tape always seems to work for me.........just kidding.

On the 2320 there are screws that hold some starboard trim in place. Those screws (due to vibration) would seem to back out every so often. My solution was to put a dab of Marine Tex on the screws. They have not backed out since. But you are right, there is no better way to fasten something than thru-bolting.

Boats, like airplanes, are going to vibrate something loose somewhere.........you just need to keep your eye out and figure out where.

 

[TopShot25]

If you’re talking about the screws holding the whole enclosure on, then I have had a problem with them. My problem was with the bottom screws. I drilled the holes through, used barrel nuts on the inside of the cabin and oval head machine screws with those raised finish washers from the pilothouse side. They match the other screws along the bottom of the helm and I think it looks fine.

First trip out I had a banging or clicking noise. I had to stuff a piece of rag between the hull and the divider where the cabin and pilothouse meet. Did not really investigate it through yet, but it did stop the noise.

 

[BradV]

Top shot that is exactly what im planning to do. i was wondering if i didnt tighten it up too much maybe it wouldnt make noise. the 28 they left space maybe an inch so maybe that would hold it in place but not make noise and bang. also let some air into the area to keep the amp cool.