New Posts New Posts RSS Feed: Topper Repair
  FAQ FAQ  Forum Search   Register Register  Login Login

Topper Repair

 Post Reply Post Reply Page  12>
Author
rprene View Drop Down
Newbie
Newbie


Joined: 11 Jul 16
Location: Chilliwack, BC
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 2
Post Options Post Options   Quote rprene Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Topic: Topper Repair
    Posted: 12 Jul 16 at 12:33am
I have a topper sailboat whose transom plate has been damaged and needed to be removed. The problem is, there are now holes where the screws went in that need to be filled in before I can screw in the new plate. How do I fill in holes in the plastic?
Back to Top
Buzz View Drop Down
Posting king
Posting king


Joined: 14 Jun 04
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 101
Post Options Post Options   Quote Buzz Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 12 Jul 16 at 2:44pm
Doesn't the transom plate use the same holes as the damaged one?
Back to Top
jeffers View Drop Down
Really should get out more
Really should get out more
Avatar

Joined: 29 Mar 04
Location: United Kingdom
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 3048
Post Options Post Options   Quote jeffers Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 12 Jul 16 at 4:13pm
I think the transom plates changed but the mounting holes were the same and they have a captive nut set inside the hull.
Paul
----------------------
D-Zero GBR 74
Back to Top
Buzz View Drop Down
Posting king
Posting king


Joined: 14 Jun 04
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 101
Post Options Post Options   Quote Buzz Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 12 Jul 16 at 4:32pm
Yes to replace the transom plate you usually cut a hole in the boat so that you can get at the captive nuts with your hand. Then you weld the boat back together again with a plastic welding gun and plastic welding rods.
Back to Top
piglet View Drop Down
Really should get out more
Really should get out more


Joined: 04 Jan 07
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 514
Post Options Post Options   Quote piglet Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 12 Jul 16 at 8:45pm
Originally posted by Buzz

Yes to replace the transom plate you usually cut a hole in the boat so that you can get at the captive nuts with your hand. Then you weld the boat back together again with a plastic welding gun and plastic welding rods.

No, don't do that.
When a captive nut falls off inside use wire/fishing line through the bung hole to pull a new M6 bolt from inside.
The OP says he changed the plate and has unused holes, this is only possible if the hull is a 'pre-production' moulding with recesses in the transom to take the over complicated transom assembly.
Unless we are talking about the 2 rivet holes that hold the inner plate?
Perhaps the OP could clarify?
Back to Top
rprene View Drop Down
Newbie
Newbie


Joined: 11 Jul 16
Location: Chilliwack, BC
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 2
Post Options Post Options   Quote rprene Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 13 Jul 16 at 12:06am
I didn't see any nuts. The screws seem to have been held in by some kind of sealant. The holes are now too big for the screws... I am thinking that I might just have to apply caulking to the holes and then use some kind of cement to glue the transom plate onto the hull...
Back to Top
piglet View Drop Down
Really should get out more
Really should get out more


Joined: 04 Jan 07
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 514
Post Options Post Options   Quote piglet Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 13 Jul 16 at 9:45am
Assuming this is a later boat with a flat transom, think the moulds changed in the late 1#,###'s
The nut plate is inside so you wouldn't see it.
If the screws you removed are other than M5 machine threads then the boat has been previously 'repaired' and you are in uncharted water so to speak.
There should be 5 x M5 screws + the 2 screws & nuts at the top.
It is quite possible that the screws have been fitted with sealant by previous owner(s)
But I can't explain why the holes are oversize, they shouldn't be.
Back to Top
Riv View Drop Down
Far too distracted from work
Far too distracted from work


Joined: 23 Nov 13
Location: South Devon
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 353
Post Options Post Options   Quote Riv Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 13 Jul 16 at 4:09pm
As I'm responsible for a fleet of Topper this is interesting. Any chance of some photos?
Back to Top
jeffers View Drop Down
Really should get out more
Really should get out more
Avatar

Joined: 29 Mar 04
Location: United Kingdom
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 3048
Post Options Post Options   Quote jeffers Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 13 Jul 16 at 4:49pm
If the holes need filling you probably need to get it done properly as it is unlikely anything much will stick to the material as it is a type of polythene IIRC. Boat yards that fix toppers (and trilam/rotomould boats) have a special tool similar to that used for vinyl flooring to heat the repair strips and melt them in. 

I would check the screws/bolts first though as advised above. Sticking a new transom plate to the hull just wont work.
Paul
----------------------
D-Zero GBR 74
Back to Top
piglet View Drop Down
Really should get out more
Really should get out more


Joined: 04 Jan 07
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 514
Post Options Post Options   Quote piglet Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 13 Jul 16 at 5:23pm
Jeffers is right, Toppers are Polyprop and there isn't yet an adhesive that will bond it.
Trilams are Polyethylene, same applies.
PP & PE can both be welded with a hot air welder, you need the correct filler rods and it is skilled.

In this case, welding the holes isn't going to help, there has to be something behind.
How big are the holes rprene?
Back to Top
 Post Reply Post Reply Page  12>

Forum Jump Forum Permissions View Drop Down

Bulletin Board Software by Web Wiz Forums® version 9.665y
Copyright ©2001-2010 Web Wiz
Change your personal settings, or read our privacy policy