Engine cover gas prop brackets need work!

[Miljack]

I've got another winter project to take on. Our 99 PAN engine cover gas prop mounts just will not keep the "shock" mounts on the lower part of the doghouse. I have one side that constantly pops off. Both props have the clips that supposedly hold the mount to the ball.
I have noticed that the mounts may be slightly bent, but they are mounted directly to the fiberglass of the doghouse, and they are covered up by the carpet on the lower part of the doghouse, and the vinyl on the top part. The top mounts don't pop off, just the lowers.
Anyone else have this happen?
Ideas to fix?

thanks,
Jack

[Quinner]

Hey Jack,

That used to drive me crazy on my 99 Air, the other issue I had was if you stood on the dog house the rubber latches would loose their connection and the dog house would pop open once you got off, of course the second problem only occured when the first problem did not.

I never fixed mine. These are not issues with my 05 Air so maybe look at the hardware being used today.

Good Luck

[SGY]

I had the same problem with my 99 SNOB. You have two options. First machine a piece of composite material to act as a backer to the bottom bracket on the doghouse. Wedge it between the ball bracket and the wall of the doghouse and drill and screw it in place--to the bracket, not the fiberglass. This comes directly from SE Correct Craft. Call Woody there, he'll hook you up. Second, get a shock that has less pressure. You can launch a small child off the clam shell with the shocks that CC uses. I put the lower pressure shocks on my 206. While I didn't have problems with the shocks on my 206, I liked the more mellow approach. Hope this helps.

[Miljack]

Thanks guys,
Quinner, I know what you're talking about! Mine does the same thing. SGY, great suggestion, I was noodling thinking I was going to have to build a new bracket, but your idea is simpler, thus better.
On this era of boat, did you guys notice the top and lower doghouse lined up properly? I have noticed that mine does not always close the same, so I was going to check the hinge in the back, and maybe the prop mounts moving around would have an effect on this?

PN rocks ! :grin:

[SGY]

On my 99, the clamshell did not sit flush with the lower skirt portion. Used to drive me nuts. My 206 clamshell lines up better. In May of 2004, I was pulling a skier with my 206. It was basically brand new to me. When I throttled up for the deep water start, the clam shell inexplicably opened up and tore completely off at the back hinge. Still today not sure why. Maybe the clamps failed on the front of the clamshell or maybe the rope was not lined up and was caught between the clamshell and the bottom skirt. The skier swears to this day the rope was lined up. So, I replaced the shocks for a lighter tension/pressure. I bet if you did the same thing, your misalignment might improve or go away. Does it line up with the shocks off? I'd check this before I messed with the hinge. Do you have to remove vinyl to get at the hinge bolts?