Storage area/cockpit seat screws / rubber washers

[Bob Reany]

My H240 is 2 years old. There are 2 storage areas in the cockpit that are under the aft section of the seats. The hinged section of seat lifts and acts as a lid. The lid rests on 2 rubber washers, each secured by screw. These act as cushioning when the lid is closed. The two washers have been compressed, broken and eventually fell off. The screws that secure them seem bent and have created chips in the gel-coat finish. I hate to just replace them, with something equally ineffective. We are not doing anything abnormal to cause this to wear out quickly. It seems like a poor design. I was thinking of lining the storage area with weather striping or something that distributed the stress over a greater area. Any thoughts, experiences or suggestions?

 

[Alan Long]

What I'm trying

My 23.5 uses a similar design. I've replaced the rubber cushions almost every year since I bought the boat new in 1994. This year I tried using short lengths of 3/8" braided nylon in place of the rubber/screws. I used polyurethane adhesive to secure them. Seems to be working well so far.Alan Long

 

[B.Smith]

locker bumpers

I have had the same problem on my Hunter 31. I replaced all of the original "bumpers" with furniture bumpers (58") purchased at a local building supplier. They are white in color and therefore don't mark the underside of the locker covers. I was able to reuse the original stainless screws. Works very well.

 

[Mike]

Try plastic feet

I found some from an ACE hardware store. Just like the rubber bumpers except hard white plastic. Also get some rubber washers to shim since they don't give, to even them out. These may be the same as B.Smith recommends.

 

[Ed]

Home Depot

I have the same problem on a 23.5. I used the 7/8" bumpers found at Home Depot. They work fine for the two main bumpers but the rearmost bumper requires a smaller size like 5/8". I picked up some stainless steel screws at West Marine to replace the screws I took out.

 

[Brad Amundson]

Move the Rubber to the Lid

I had the same problem and that on the port side if you move the rubber to the lid it will work better. The starboard side is still ok with the rubber being on the bottom or attached to the boat itself.Happy sailing from!For Sail