Still struggling with Hurricane Ian repairs

drprunner

Member
Dec 31, 2008
77
SE Florida
Boat Info
1997 400 Sundancer
Engines
Caterpillar 3116 300hp
I had my bimini ripped off by Hurricane Ian and along with it I had snaps ripped out of my stainless steel windshield frame. I'd appreciate any advice on how to get the broken snaps out and the new snaps in. Thanks
snap.jpg
 
I am not an expert, my first thought is drill them out then screw in new ones, maybe with some kind of sealant.
 
Yeah, those look like pop rivets. Drill out and replace with screws or get a rivet tool.
 
I have done this on a 420, the canvass lady would not do it because of the glass. You want to be very careful to not go any deeper than the pop rivet as there could be glass there. I started with new drill bits because the stainless rivet is hard to drill.
I went with the shortest rivets I could get to stay away from any glass.
Definitely high on the pucker meter!
 
I had my bimini ripped off by Hurricane Ian and along with it I had snaps ripped out of my stainless steel windshield frame. I'd appreciate any advice on how to get the broken snaps out and the new snaps in. ThanksView attachment 135461

Those are "flangeless" studs and they are riveted in. To remove them you will need to drill them out but they can be challenging since the part you are drill will spin and there is no way to hold the back to keep it from spinning. I really do not like the fact the rear of the rivet will most likely remain in the frame forever. It would have been much better if these were tapped with threads so that they could have been screwed in and out for removal.

As mentioned, you will need to clear the top of the glass but since they are already there you should have the needed clearance. If you want to confirm the clearance from the top of the frame you can unscrew and remove the grab rails that are attached. From those openings you will be able judge your clearance.

-Kevin
 
If drilling doesn't work out try a Dremel toll and gently grind the exposed part of the rivet off and push the rest the rivrt into the frame. It should be fine leaving that part of the rivet inside the frame. I would get a rivet tool and install snaps with rivets correctly.
 
Update on the broken snap rivets. The profile of the remaining snap was too low and rounded to grip with pliers. But I was able to wedge a flat head screw driver underneath it and put upward force on it, which held it in place while I drilled it out. This worked for the 7 broken snaps I had in my windshield. Thanks for all the advice.
 
Update on the broken snap rivets. The profile of the remaining snap was too low and rounded to grip with pliers. But I was able to wedge a flat head screw driver underneath it and put upward force on it, which held it in place while I drilled it out. This worked for the 7 broken snaps I had in my windshield. Thanks for all the advice.
Do you have a link to the new snaps and which rivets you used?
 

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