Bimini top installation on a fiberglass body

[dlogvine]

I just bought a Bimini top for my 1990 bayliner 2050. Originally it comes with a cockpit cover that always hits my head when I'm at the steering wheel. I got the hardware for the installation but got stainless steel screws from Home Depot. They are two types , size 8 with 3/4 and 1" lengths. However I'm not sure if the Bimini top won't rip them out of the fiberglass boards. Should I better use the bolts and some metal plate on the other side of the fiberglass or these screws would hold just fine? Or maybe I should screw them into a wooden board on the opposite side of the fiberglass?
The other question is about the central hinges for the biminitop, there is only about 1/2" of flat space on the board close to the side of the windshield. It just barely fits the hinge, if I would install not tilted hinge. Or should I put the tilted hinge in the slanted side of the board?
Don't want to screw up with the installation and drill a bunch of unnecessary holes or crack the fiberglass. Any advices on this installation are greatly appreciated.

 

[Frank Acampora]

Location is really up to you as far as the pivot points.

Now, when you do drill holes, the screws will do just fine--after all, it is not a cleat that gets a lot of strain on it. However, drill the correct size hole for the screw or it will be murder getting it to thread into the fiberglass. ALSO: Countersink the hole before starting to drive the screw or the gelgoat will chip and crack. Use a small amount of silicone seal or other under the fitting and it will act like an O ring seal with the countersunk hole to keep any incidental water out.

 

[DaveM]

Also use a sharp drill bit.

 

[dlogvine]

thank you

 

[Texasmark]

Location is really up to you as far as the pivot points.

Now, when you do drill holes, the screws will do just fine--after all, it is not a cleat that gets a lot of strain on it. However, drill the correct size hole for the screw or it will be murder getting it to thread into the fiberglass. ALSO: Countersink the hole before starting to drive the screw or the gelgoat will chip and crack. Use a small amount of silicone seal or other under the fitting and it will act like an O ring seal with the countersunk hole to keep any incidental water out.

+1................

 

[dlogvine]

where can I find a knowledgeable friend?

 

[MRS]

Put a piece of tape down where you are drilling, will help with less chipping of the gelcoat.

 

[dlogvine]

Thank you guys, worked fine despite having a couple small chips of fiberglass, but they were really small, biggest one was about 1/8 by 1/4 of an inch, that one I glued back and it was pressed by the holding bracket, so not a biggy. Otherwise bimini top looks great