220 Select deck mounted bimini top strap eye

[martinidean]

Hi,

Last weekend the port side bimini strap eye on my boat broke in half. It is still mounted to the deck by two (phillips head)bolts or screws that turned in their holes when I tried to remove them. I looked up underneath the deck but couldn't find the back side of the eye strap bolts, possibly because of the carpet. So I have a couple of questions.

Given the materials screws don't make a lot of sense. Can I safely assume they are bolts?

If bolted, is there an easy or at least reliable method to locate and access the nut side of the bolts to loosen and remove them for replacement? I used the Sirius antenna on top/antenna lead underneath to orientate myself but still could not find the back side of the mount.

Thanks in advance!

M. Dean

 

[surfinjoe]

I have took mine off and they are just screws. Maybe the fiberglass 'threads' are stripped. You may need to take a flat head screwdriver to pry the phillips screw up as you remove it. You should be able to replace your broken eys(s) for pretty cheap (under $15).

 

[martinidean]

Thank you Surfinjoe. I messed with it a bit this weekend but didn't try with too much force for fear damaging the deck. If the fiberglass threads are stripped do I fill the hole with epoxy and put the screw back in to that? Maybe use a bigger screw?

 

[Steve Craig]

These are available in a variety of sizes. I've used them for many years in different types of substrates. Drill the hole out to 1/4", insert the anchor & a new screw.
http://www.hilti.ca/holca/page/module/product/prca_rangedetail.jsf?&nodeId=-77336&selProdOid=365815

 

[martinidean]

These are available in a variety of sizes. I've used them for many years in different types of substrates. Drill the hole out to 1/4", insert the anchor & a new screw.
http://www.hilti.ca/holca/page/module/product/prca_rangedetail.jsf?&nodeId=-77336&selProdOid=365815

I'll give those a try once I pry the mounts out. Thank you!

M. Dean

 

[jimandsue60]

My Sundeck had screws and nuts for the bimini strap eye, the nuts were under the carpet and not easy to get to. I tried using store bought strap eyes but the hole pattern was off by an 1/8 of an inch. I found for a perfect match I had to purchase the eyes from Sea Ray. When you are cruising there is a lot of pressure on the eyes, I am not so sure I would trust a plastic insert.

 

[martinidean]

That makes a little more sense to me and comes as a bit of a relief in a way. I'll have a look under the carpet when I go to pull the bum head unit. Many thanks!

 

[wish2fish]

just curious here. On my 220 the straps connect to eyes on the windshield frame. Do the newer 220 have different bimini's, or bigger bimini's?

 

[martinidean]

just curious here. On my 220 the straps connect to eyes on the windshield frame. Do the newer 220 have different bimini's, or bigger bimini's?

Hard for me to say with any certainty. If you have a pic up somewhere I could look and compare to mine...that reminds me I owe the board a pic or two.

M. Dean

 

[Steve Craig]

The nut/bolt connection would certainly be a much better method. I was thinking the fasteners were screwed into the surface.

 

[jimandsue60]

That makes a little more sense to me and comes as a bit of a relief in a way. I'll have a look under the carpet when I go to pull the bum head unit. Many thanks!

If you remove the molding on top of the head door entrance, you might be able to peel the carpet down and slide your hand in with a small 5/16 wrench to get on the nut.

 

[martinidean]

The nut/bolt connection would certainly be a much better method. I was thinking the fasteners were screwed into the surface.

Bah, I appreciate the response all the same. Thank you, Mr. Craig.

M. Dean

 

[martinidean]

If you remove the molding on top of the head door entrance, you might be able to peel the carpet down and slide your hand in with a small 5/16 wrench to get on the nut.

Thanks again Jimandsue60!

My use of 'head' in this instance was mean to refer to the stereo head unit, not the head compartment on the Sundeck. The Sundeck and Select are similar enough that the nuts will probably be right there on mine, same as yours. BTW, I really like your...camper tops? I believe that's what they're called. However you refer to them they are awesome!

I'll have another at mine look in a day or two and will follow up here with what I found.

Best,

M. Dean

 

[surfinjoe]

When the dealer fixed mine, they just added some epoxy to the hole. A bigger screw would work.

Through bolt is the best option.

 

[martinidean]

I finally got around to removing the strap eye this weekend. I found the bolt ends up underneath the deck under the carpet as jimandsue60 described. I had removed the stereo head unit making access a lot easier and instead of peeling back the carpet I used a box knife to cut a 'X' shape to get to the bolt instead of peeling it back and having to reglue. 11/32 nut on the bolt.

Now to find a replacement that fits the existing holes.

Thanks again to all those that responded.

M. Dean

 

[martinidean]

Sorry for the delay and bumping this old post but I wanted to close the loop:

My local Sea Ray dealer was the only source I could find that had the strap eye in the correct size. They seem to be unique to Sea Ray factory biminis in that respect and set me back about $16 for a pair.

M. Dean