Filling Holes in T-top

[nymack66]

Originally Posted by stuarbc

So this weekend I removed the rotten hard top that was on my boat when I bought it...and replaced it with a canvas. The old top was bolted to the tower so I now have open holes all around the top......What should I use to fill the holes....I was thinking silicone.

If you want to do it nice and clean, post some pictures , I thoughts are grind the holes open a little, then use Marine Bondo (gel) not kitty hair and fill, then sand and paint or gel coat it , it will be good as new.
Here is an example of the stuff at work this hole was approx 2" wide

After

[Stillrunning]

Your talking about holes in the tubing and not in fiberglass. Right?

[stuarbc]

Correct.....no sanding and paint since it will mess up the aluminum. The previous owner literally drilled through the top and the aluminum tubing and slid a bolt through it all....now my top is laced on and I am worried about water getting inside the tubing.

[macojoe]

If the bolts went all the way thur the water will just run out the bottom, I would not worry about it. But if it makes you feel better just use silicone on the top and leave the bottom for drains.

[Franco]

It would be a great place to run some red led lights!

[reelapeelin]

Originally Posted by Franco

It would be a great place to run some red led lights!

No wonder he's The Grand Pubah...


But how many holes around the frame are we talkin' about?...1/4"?...1/2"?...Franco's right about Nav Lights in two of them...how many holes after that?...

The ultimate fix would be have welder fill in and grind, buff smooth, but of course that'll be expensive and you'd probably have to remove the canvas you just put on...

If the holes are small enough, lowes has aluminum "sex-nuts"...would show screw head from inside and flat, smooth hear from other which w/a small amount of persuasion could be conformed to tubing curve...

Could try a little alum. boat repair in a tube...

[stuarbc]

filling with the screws is not a bad idea....but I think the silicone is the easiest route....appreciate all the help guys.....I've made a bunch of progress over the winter and will have to post some pictures soon.