Center Console Separation

[spandy]

I heard a story I cannot verify (fake news?) that there have been incidents of bonding failure --console separating from hull -- in new models. Anyone heard same? If not, I apologize for the post.

[Juan]

Aug 12, 2018 18:03:26 GMT -6 spandy said:

I heard a story I cannot verify (fake news?) that there have been incidents of bonding failure --console separating from hull -- in new models. Anyone heard same? If not, I apologize for the post.

What's to separate? Stainless steel screws and silicone sealant? I haven't seen any consoles permanently affixed / glassed to the deck.

[spandy]

The center consoles on the newer boats are bonded, not bolted.

[Juan]

I didn't know that.. May not be "fake news" after all since that could easily be the weakest point on the deck

[spandy]

Actually, today's bonding technology is far superior to bolting. Just look at commercial airliner manufacturing, e.g. Boeing's Dreamliner. But if there's a defective batch of bonding chemicals, not so good.

[Juan]

Maybe so but there's got to be a good bit of stress placed where a vertical structure is fixed to a horizontal deck. Seems bolts and 3M 5200 is a better mouse trap to me.

[spandy]

I understand your concerns, which I have also had about modern boat manufacturing (have a 2017 239CC). But upon study, the bonding technology is far superior, even with vertical attached to horizontal. Here's about Dreamliner from Wikipedia...

The 787 is the first major commercial airplane to have a composite fuselage, composite wings, and use composites in most other airframe components. Each 787 contains approximately 77,000 pounds (35 metric tons) of carbon fiber reinforced polymer (CFRP), made with 51,000 lb (23 t) of carbon fiber.[214] Carbon fiber composites have a higher strength-to-weight ratio than conventional aircraft materials, and help make the 787 a lighter aircraft.[185] Composites are used on fuselage, wings, tail, doors, and interior.

[Juan]

I'm talking about something here I know very little about (I know. ) so my comments are just speculation and opinion but are we talking airplanes or boats? Are any of the new Sea Pros components built from carbon fiber? Seriously, I don't know. I assumed they were fiberglass. I know carbon fiber is lighter and stronger than steel and has been used in race cars and boats and planes for many years but because of it's strength, it is also extremely rigid with almost no flex where fiberglass will flex and is better suited for areas that might tend to flex a bit like a boat's center console.. A light weight and stronger carbon fiber hull makes a lot of sense, but without the ability to flex, I just don't see the advantage of a carbon fiber console. Maybe that's why they are separating?

[spandy]

Sorry. Did not mean to confuse. I was not really talking about carbon fiber vs. fiberglass, but how boat and plane components are "glued" together...structural adhesives.

[Juan]

I stay confused 99% of the time.. 021

Welcome to the forum

[spandy]

Thanks much for the welcome. Despite your 99% confusion, looks like you are set up to catch things from your boat. Hopefully, not "walkers."

[gnrphil]

Interesting, I would've thought the T Top would help prevent any separation issues as surely they are bolted/screwed down.

[freezerfiller]

I have not seen any issues on here, but if there are, they'll show up soon!!

[Juan]

Aug 13, 2018 15:49:27 GMT -6 spandy said:

Thanks much for the welcome. Despite your 99% confusion, looks like you are set up to catch things from your boat. Hopefully, not "walkers."

rofl

[daimyo68]

I'm gonna bring this post back to life...

2019 239.

Went over this weekend, to chase an electrical issue (probably a bad switch), but anyways I went into the console and noticed that the sink top was separated from the front lower portion of the console.. by about a 1/4 inch! I immediately crawled out and saw that it was the same at the bottom of the front console seat/deck.

I put the boat into the water to make sure it was supporting it's own weight, rechecked and the console is now back down in place, however this is still concerning to say the least.

So now, besides checking for an electrical issue, I'm obviously going to have to repair this.

I wish I had before pictures for ya's, but wasn't thinking to get any

You can see where the adhesive split, and a partial area of fiberglass cracked off from what I am assuming is the fastening point below the deck.

Has anyone had this issue? I know the manufacturer is not going to cover this as it is not part of their "Hull Warranty".

I'm going to remove the sink top to see if the console is screw fastened, as I can see from the sink back on the bottom sides of the console that it is.

Been here on this forum for years, just never needed to post before.

[gnrphil]

Hello daimyo68 and welcome.
This is the first I recall hearing of such an issue, I find it strange that it went back together once the boat was launched. Even though you say it won't be covered under Warranty I would certainly contact Jamie Martin and see what they have to say about it, I would think they'd be interested to see what happened there.

[Paul Miller]

My center cosole on 2018 sea pro 23.5 just separated almost flew ove my head at just 30 mph . I do not see any screws or bolts from inside . Very dangerous moments.

[Scott]

We insure a 25' Whaler center console that separated completely from the deck and went into the water.  Reported that the boat was traveling at about 30-35 mph and hit a wave. Best I can tell is that the console was attached to the deck with four screws but not sure about bonding. I am interested to find out if there are other reports of this.