www.iFourWinns.com

Started to talk about this problem in another thread but realized it deserves a thread of it's own.

To summarize, I found a bolt assembly on the deck after going through some chop. The assembly consists of bolt, washer and brass anchor (fine threading for the bolt on the inside, and coarse threading to allow mounting in fiberglass on the outside).



(in the pic above you can see the fiberglass that was pulled loose along with the bolt assembly)

The assembly is one of four that are used to secure the instrument console housing down to the helm structure. By instrument console housing I refer to everything above the helm ignition and other switches in the pic below.



The anchor was set through a slot in the helm structure up into the instrument console housing as can be seen in this pic:



This pic may help with orientation:





(The quote is from the other thread, but I wanted to respond here). Thanks Mike unfortunately I do not currently know a good fiberglass guy. Last weekend I tried using 5 minute epoxy to re-secure the anchor. At that time I also noticed that the glove box assembly is secured the same way. I can't believe I'm the only one that has had this (or will have this) happen.

I find out this weekend whether the epoxy does the trick. I fear that I may have to glass in the hole and redrill as you suggest.

BTW - I did post this over on BABC, and want to thank Graham for his input as well.

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2007 Horizon 200
4.3L GXi/ SX 225 HP

To make matters worse (or maybe it's part of the cause) the windshield is pushing down on the lower part of the helm (via the strut), trying to force it to separate from the upper. I have to wonder if it not only needs to be 'glassed, but additional reinforcement added along that joint. I also wonder if this will start showing up on other boats. Maybe I'd better check mine...

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Mike
2005 Four Winns 230/240
VP 5.7GXi/DP
1998 F-150 XLT
Boat Pic

Mine came loose place(s) as well... found the bolts, washers, and nuts on the floor. I had to put them back on and tighten them good. I have an F204, but have the same helm console as pictured.

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2008 FW F204 - 5.0 VP "Stand On It"
Former Boat: Larson 186 LXI - 4.3 VP

Mike, as far as I can tell the lower part of the helm is secured horizontally to the fiberglass mold that makes up the bow area. I haven't verified yet, but I believe it's through bolted to the bow seat back storage compartment. I'm not noticing instability in the lower section. The top section rests on and is bolted down to the lower section iat all 4 corners using the anchors and bolts described above. I don't believe it's attached anywhere else except of course to the wiring harness and other connections to the back of the gauges. APart from some resistance to 'fit' between the two sections, I'm really not seeing other forces trying to separate the two. Heck even gravity should be helping.

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2007 Horizon 200
4.3L GXi/ SX 225 HP

Yours has bolts and not inside and outside threaded brass anchor inserts? If it is the inserts, how did you re-attach them?

_________________
2007 Horizon 200
4.3L GXi/ SX 225 HP

Update - so far the combination of West Marine 5 minute epoxy on the brass anchor, and silicone in the gap between the instrument console housing and the structural helm is holding. Keeping my fingers crossed.

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2007 Horizon 200
4.3L GXi/ SX 225 HP