33 Outlaw Hatch/sunpad replacement
 

There was a post on here where a guy went step by step to replace the wood in/on his rear hatch. I can't find it anywhere....My screws are stripping out and I want to fix this over the winter. Can you guys find that post? I had no luck.

here it is
http://www.offshoreonly.com/forums/d...-r-r-wood.html

Man, that guy did a great job!!! Oh wait, that was me😎

If you need help, let me know. Easy job!!

I've done one on a 272 but you did such a good job on that post, Iwanted to read it again. Thanks.

Could you use pieces of billet aluminum instead of wood for the hatch bolt area?? Just mark and drill the hinge holes and tap them. Then use anti sieze to keep them from corroding??? Or would the fiberglass not adhere to it??

You could use aluminum, but since your are binding down the hatch, the t nuts are steel, so I would be worried about how you plan to hold the bolts. You would have to thru bolt and then cut any excess thread off the back of the hinge. Since thats the top, you might feel the nuts through the padding when you step on the vinyl. You could recess the bolts into the aluminum depending on thickness??

Fiberglass will pretty much stick to anything, dont be shy about using the fiberglass.

oh, I also did my 25ol hatch, but this was more than I expected. Encapsulated wood and the boxes that hold the head rest.. Wasnt too bad, used the best piece of headrest wood to make templetes for them first.

I meant actually use 1/2" thick or however thick that would was aluminum and just tap the threads into the alum block......Wood will probably be fine .. Doubt I'll keep long enough for it to rot again....

yep, I used dry marine wood. Glassed the crap out of it where it was rotten. You could use aluminum but overkill, I would worry about stripping the threads, but would probably hold. I figure its a 98, so if I keep it 5-10 years, its still not going to rot!

We love our 33 though. Will probably redo vinyl in another year and change colors completely.

[ATTACH=CONFIG]545920[/ATTACH][ATTACH=CONFIG]545921[/ATTACH][ATTACH=CONFIG]545922[/ATTACH]

I've really enjoyed mine..... First time I've ever left stock power alone! Only issue I've had was a stripped coupler , a fuel pump and impellers.... It's been a work horse for me. I've put more hours on this one in 2 years than I did in 5 on my last boat!