f36 bridge helm problem

stevocom · Post by **stevocom** » Tue May 03, 2011 10:39 pm

My 78 F36 entire helm unit is loose. I mean real loose, literally held down by three small screws. So in rough seas it walks all over the bridge. Has anyone ever glassed it to the bridge floor?

prowlersfish · Post by **prowlersfish** » Tue May 03, 2011 11:05 pm

Are you talking about the console ? Mine has at least 4 L brackets that hold it down , look in side the console/helm . I will look tomorrow to see if thats all.I never had a issue .

stevocom · Post by **stevocom** » Wed May 04, 2011 7:45 am

Yes the console, the entire large console, all glass that includes the front bench seat. The only thing that scares me from using brackets is screwing into the balsa core. Typically not that rigid, now I have more holes, the three up there now have already rounded out from the movement I speak of.

prowlersfish · Post by **prowlersfish** » Wed May 04, 2011 8:02 am

I have the same boat

My L brakits I belive are oem ( inside the console) . If you dont have any I would add some (4) the scews in the glass over the core should hold ( mine do) make sure you put a sealer like 5200/4200 on the screws . Using a a bead of 5200 around the helm also will help hold it in place .In fact there is a sealer arond mine I belive.

Fill the old holes with a epoxy to seal them . after filling you maybe able to drill and reuses the holes too .

Mine has never come lose , but once the screws come a liltle lose it could walk around and that would open up the screw holes.

I will be checking mine today to make sure nothing is getting ready to happen . and to see if anything else is holding it down

Stripermann2 · Post by **Stripermann2** » Wed May 04, 2011 8:48 am

Good suggestion from Paul. My 32 does not have L brackets but screws along the perimeter of the console. Be sure all screw holes are sealed when installing new screws to keep moisture out.

rossjo · Post by **rossjo** » Wed May 04, 2011 9:57 am

No L-Brackets on my F32 - screws around the outside. I loosened it all several years ago and 5200'd it down and screwed it back in with new stainless screws.

You might try filling the screws holes with Epoxy (filled with micro balloons if possible) before putting it all back together with 5200.

prowlersfish · Post by **prowlersfish** » Wed May 04, 2011 10:31 am

You could add some more scews also .

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