Planning to replace hatch slider rails this weekend

[Brian S]

Are there any gotchas I should be aware of?

I got new sliders from D&R. As near as I can tell, the sliders are not through-bolted, just screwed into the cabin top. I'm assuming into a plywood core. I'm hoping I just need to pop out the old bungs, unscrew, measure up the new ones, re-drill, rebed, screw down, and re-bung.

Thanks,
Brian

 

[Sastevenson]

I just replaced mine with azek decking. You are correct they are not through bolted. What I did was drill out the old bungs and I screw. Then I filled the old holes with marine epoxy and the. Sanded it flat. I then placed the hatch sliders in place and drilled through to the hull to mark them and then drilled and screwed them in. I did not choose to use bungs just countersunk screws. You can see the results of my work if you go to the thread "painted teak"

Scott

 

[Brian S]

Thanks, Scott-

I saw your Azek handrails, and I wasn't sure if you had fabricated sliders also.

I've got the sliders off now, ready to go cut the new ones to bevel and length. Think I will Marine Tex the old holes, and then be able to place the new screws where I want them.

Did you use sealant down the whole length of the sliders? I want to, so that dirt won't collect underneath as badly.

Brian

 

[Brian S]

Well, I did my hatch sliders this weekend, and they don't look terrible. I think I may have spaced them about 1/8" or so too far apart, but, hey, they are holding the hatch in place, so that's good. When I went to screw one of the screws in, and pull the wood down tight to the glass riser, it split the wood. DOH! (I actually said other words... you get the idea.) And also, pounding some of the bungs in, they kinda split, because they were being put into that tapered section of the wood. So, I guess I'll be filling the split and those bung voids with wood flour thickened epoxy. One thing I noticed was that O'day had drilled the screws in at an angle, inwards into the fiberglass. I did not do this, and it showed that my holes into the fiberglass were further outboard than the originals. Oh, well, if they don't work out, I'll re-do them again in a few years. But I think they'll be ok...

Then, sanding, and Cetol.

I also sanded the toe rails, and reinstalled the hatchboard sliders. I know I need to install new toe rails, but I just don't want to go to the trouble this year. Maybe just get one more season out of the originals? Please?

Brian

 

[cbourne200]

I need to do the same. When I bought my 272 in Dec 2011, one slide was split. Wife didn't like, so I bought 2 new ones from Rudy at Christmas this year. Still in a shipping carton in front hallway...

One day...

Charles