cracks in T-top frame

[pete]

Guys,
While cleaning up the boat this AM we noticed some cracks in the t top frame,some of the welds are cracked and on 1 pipe there is a small crack in the pipe.I know I need some welding done.Do I need to remove all the wires and cables in the tubing and should I add some gusset material?

[gran398]

Yo buddy,

Presume the cracks are on the side(s) where the wiring runs...I've wired my share of T-tops, and know its a bear pulling the mess...so...

Hang loose. Have a good friend who builds tops for a living, let me ask him how much heat is generated on the repair, and his opinion on what the wiring can stand. When you mention gusset material...hope I'm guessing correctly here.... chafe protection is a big plus, even if its just silicone in the exit holes to prevent movement.

With the holiday, will be Tuesday until I can call him. Will post up then. SB for sure will have good thoughts on this.

In the meantime...Happy Fourth!

[seabob4]

Pete,
The wiring runs down the starboard leg, where are the cracks?  I assume starboard side...

If you are worried about heat buildup, do this.  Cut the 12VDC wiring (spreaders, e-box power, anchor light), disconnect any GPS antenna cables, attach a stout piece of solid wire to them of sufficient length, then pull them up from inside the e-box so that just the solid pull wire is in the leg.  Have the welding done, then pull everything back down.

Best thing I can think of...

[Aswaff400]

from my personal experience welding all the suspension on my truck, 1/8" to 3/8" steel, the radiant heat generated can burn most plastics and rubber within a foot radius of the arch.

[GoneFission]

Welding will melt the wiring if the welding is done correctly, as the weld will fully penetrate the base metal with a temperature of over 1000 degrees F.  You need to take the wiring out, but you can pull a sacrificial wire through the tubing (don't use a string - it will melt too!), and then use the pull wire to get the other wires back through.  Use something like rebar tie wire for your pull wire, or some other non-insulated wire so it does not melt and stick to the inside of the tubing.

[pete]

Thanks guys,ok pull the wires,leave a solid chase,got it,what about any reinforcement for the damaged areas?Do the welds just get rewelded ad the crack welded?should any cross bracing or gusset material be used?   and does the hardtop need to come off ?

[seabob4]

Pete,
I'm sure you have top builders in the Melbourne/Palm Bay area.  They'll know the proper fix,  and they should point you in the proper direction...ask them.

[pete]

Since I'm de rigging my t top to get it repaired,I thought I would do some upgrades,went to west marine to look at a new 4' antenna,they had the galaxy  for $122,asked the clerk if they would match an internet price?He said sure!looked it up and I walked out with it for....66 bucks!So there you go,look it up on line,find the cheapest price,print it out,no shipping no waiting.

[gran398]

There ya go Pete...nice! You'll be amazed at that little bugger.

[pete]

Ok,next item,my white all around light is mounted dead center of my hard top,you can't reach it easily to raise or lower it,would like to relocate it to the front edge of top,any reason why not?

[seabob4]

Ok,next item,my white all around light is mounted dead center of my hard top,you can't reach it easily to raise or lower it,would like to relocate it to the front edge of top,any reason why not?

Nope, but I would think about going to an 18" mast and mounting it aft.  Might want to put a remote spotlight forward one day...

[pete]

aft will work too,just want to be able to reach it to raise and lower it,with out having too climb on the top

[Mcdiver]

If your t-top is cracking, then there is a design problem.  Either you have case hardening until it cracked or you have poor welding.  My guess without seeing it is that it was welded poorly.  If done correctly, the weld should be stronger than the metal that was welded.  If it is a fitgue problem, it will be the metal cracking.

Have it looked at be someone that builds t-tops and is known for it.  They can tell you if it needs to be reinforced.

[pete]

thanks Mike,my top has both,cracked welds and a cracked pipe,bringing it to a local top builder for repair,will post before and after pics,still have some derigging to finish up,trying to do some upgrades in the process,

[pete]

Picked up the boat from Sunshine welders in Port Canaveral Friday,they did a great job at a very reasonable price [$200].These guys are serious fabricators of all kinds of stuff,towers,tops,you nane it,they even build stuff for Boston Whaler,they welded 2 rod holders to the back of my leaning post,they had some BW "seconds"that look perfect to me,weleded the crack,rewelded the broken welds added 2 more side supports and a bracket attaching the top to the console in front under the windshield,in the process of re-rigging Pics of welding....


new bar in center,new welds on upper supports
 

rod holders