I have a 98 312 Fastech and on the inside of the main dash there is a latch and a bar that is mounted on the dash. Well, i hit some rough water and the 1 inch bar broke off. Do I have to buy a whole new dash or can I re mount that bar. Looks difficult to do, mounting a metal bar into a plastic dash. Thanks in advance.

any pictures? Mine are easy to take off or bolt back on it...

The panels are metal,they have 2 small threaded studs pressed into the rear of the panel. If the studs have pulled out of the panel,might get a little tricky to get them to stay in,but there are some high tech adhesives available that might work.I have only had one situation where the studs pulled out,but the boat was in warranty so the replaced the panel. Hopefully.you won't have to.

JB Weld.....It fixes anything!

The studs have pulled out of the panel. What kind of adhesive should I use? I think someone said JB weld...will that work?

You can use some two part epoxy to hold the inserts in. We have had several boats do this so we added two small screws in the upper corners to stop the flex in the latch. No more problems, the customers do not need to be in there anyway.

How can you say that? Most of the boaters that I know, myself included, will fix small issues (or BIG in my case) themselves. If a wire comes loose or a speedo hose comes off, are we supposed to run to the marina and pay for a quick fix?

This is why we have forums to guide us thru "a" process with experience of others. BTW the fix you recommended was good!

Dave

Another solution,if the epoxy doesn't hold,is to simply run 2 small bolts thru the panel and the bracket,locknuts behind the bracket. Countersink the dash,it will look factory,the bracket will never come loose again,and you can still access it.

I agree on your I can fix it response. But if something does happen I think two screws is really easy to remove. The screws also may stop any problems under the dash from starting. It will also stop that annoing rattle it takes forever to locate.

Selpel's fix may be best ,the epoxy may or may not hold. And if you are going to drill and countersink 2 holes,the ones on the outer corners and screws into the fiberglass make more sense. Thanks,Selpel for thinking outside the box. Robert