Boats For Sale:
Bimini Top 1995 Nautique closed bow |
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M3Fan 
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Joined: October-22-2005 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 3185 |
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 Topic: Bimini Top 1995 Nautique closed bowPosted: April-19-2011 at 11:11pm |
An excuse to buy another tool? DONE! |
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2000 SN GT40 w/99 Graphics/Gel
2016 SN 200 OB 5.3L DI https://forum.fifteenoff.com |
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pmccook1
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Joined: November-12-2007 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 143 |
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Posted: April-19-2011 at 11:04pm |
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I'll proceed carefully. Maybe have a beer or 12 to calm my nerves before plugging in the drill.
Just kidn' I've been looking for a good excuse to buy a real dremel. Had a fake one and it broke within the first 10min of using it. Thanks for the info guys. |
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pmccook1
Current boat:1993 Ski Nautique " Purple " Have owned : 76' ski nautique, 93' Sport Nautique, 83 Stars and stripes, 47' Chris Craft Continental |
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8122pbrainard
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Joined: September-14-2006 Location: Three Lakes Wi. Status: Offline Points: 41045 |
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Posted: April-19-2011 at 9:17pm |
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Joel,
I suggested the Dremel because I didn't want someone using a larger drill bit, not reversing the drill and then all of a sudden having a lager hole from when the bit gets sucked into the pilot hole! 
Absolutely invest in one of the Dremel kits. They aren't really expensive. Years ago, I always thought of them as a "hobbyist" tool but not now. It's amazing how often I use one! |
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M3Fan
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Posted: April-19-2011 at 8:49pm |
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Definitely want to remove the gel around the hole. I use a really big drill bit in reverse. Makes a nice little crater around the hole through the gel. I'm going to have to get me a Dremel at some point...
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2000 SN GT40 w/99 Graphics/Gel
2016 SN 200 OB 5.3L DI https://forum.fifteenoff.com |
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8122pbrainard
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Joined: September-14-2006 Location: Three Lakes Wi. Status: Offline Points: 41045 |
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Posted: April-19-2011 at 7:36pm |
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You want type "A" sheet metal screws which are the most common. Oval heads if the mountings are counter sunk and round or truss head if it's just a plain hole.
I recommend removing the gel coat from around the screw hole just larger than the screw diameter. This will prevent the brittle gel from cracking when you drive the screw in. The best way is to use a Dremel with a small burr on it. |
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harddock
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Joined: June-04-2008 Location: Toontown, MA Status: Offline Points: 1763 |
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Posted: April-19-2011 at 3:55pm |
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Don't force SS screws because the WILL break!!!
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pmccook1
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Posted: April-19-2011 at 1:50pm |
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Thanks M3fan, its clear as a bell now. Attack with with drill,
Grab a hand full of ss screws, cause I'm the king at stripping the heads out of screws. |
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pmccook1
Current boat:1993 Ski Nautique " Purple " Have owned : 76' ski nautique, 93' Sport Nautique, 83 Stars and stripes, 47' Chris Craft Continental |
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M3Fan
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Joined: October-22-2005 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 3185 |
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Posted: April-19-2011 at 12:37pm |
The rock-hard epoxy does not expand much for a screw like a piece of wood would. Thus the tolerance between the overall screw diameter and the hole itself is minimal. I started with a bit diameter of roughly the shaft diameter of the screw and worked it a bit, trying to screw the screw in, finding it bind too much, working it a bit more, trying again, etc. It's almost an art. I've done 3 bimini top installs and it never gets easier. I also used some soapy water to lube the screws a bit because heat will cause the resin to bind with the screw a bit and those stainless steel heads strip really easily. (Have fun with this one Quinner and HW) |
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2000 SN GT40 w/99 Graphics/Gel
2016 SN 200 OB 5.3L DI https://forum.fifteenoff.com |
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pmccook1
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Posted: April-19-2011 at 12:21pm |
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You do drill a slightly smaller hole than the screw though right ?
Thanks for making it clear before I grab the drill. |
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pmccook1
Current boat:1993 Ski Nautique " Purple " Have owned : 76' ski nautique, 93' Sport Nautique, 83 Stars and stripes, 47' Chris Craft Continental |
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M3Fan
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Posted: April-19-2011 at 10:24am |
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Stainless steel screws. Once you start screwing them in, you'll realize they aren't going anywhere.
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2000 SN GT40 w/99 Graphics/Gel
2016 SN 200 OB 5.3L DI https://forum.fifteenoff.com |
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pmccook1
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Joined: November-12-2007 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 143 |
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Posted: April-19-2011 at 4:11am |
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Do you use an actual screw or a bolt with a nut on it to hold the anchor hinge for the bimini top ? Wasn't sure if you needed something underneath to keep the screw or bolt from ripping back out of the hole.
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pmccook1
Current boat:1993 Ski Nautique " Purple " Have owned : 76' ski nautique, 93' Sport Nautique, 83 Stars and stripes, 47' Chris Craft Continental |
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bhectus
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Joined: July-04-2010 Location: Gator Country! Status: Offline Points: 1809 |
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Posted: April-19-2011 at 1:34am |
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For drilling holes, best practice is to mask off area to be drilled with masking tape, then start your bit through the gel *backwards* in rotation. This is the most important step. It will prevent spider cracking/chipping of the gelcoat.
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'02 Ski Nautique 196 w/ 5.7 Apex bowtie - Sold
'87 Barefoot - sold '97 Super Sport Nautique - originally custom built for Walt Meloon '97 Ski Nautique '83 SN 2001 |
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pmccook1
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Posted: April-19-2011 at 12:17am |
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ON that same note, I need to mount a hinge for my bimini top. Whats the proper way to drill the holes for the screws in the gelcoat/fiberglass. After all these years and different boats its the first time I've needed to approach a boat with a drill aimed at the gelcoat.
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pmccook1
Current boat:1993 Ski Nautique " Purple " Have owned : 76' ski nautique, 93' Sport Nautique, 83 Stars and stripes, 47' Chris Craft Continental |
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harddock
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Joined: June-04-2008 Location: Toontown, MA Status: Offline Points: 1763 |
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Posted: April-18-2011 at 10:55pm |
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Try GMI
I don't know about two tone but they offer a quality product with quick turn around at a reasonable price. gmi |
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SlaminSammy
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Joined: April-18-2011 Status: Offline Points: 4 |
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Posted: April-18-2011 at 10:23pm |
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I just bought a white with Blue and Purple striped 196 closed bow and want a Bimini Top - any recomendations as to who is making dual colored sunbrella tops ? Also size to cover driver and passenger seating.
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SlaminSammy
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8122pbrainard wrote: