2nd ZX250 3rd time with this issue

[skeetr22]

This weekend makes the 3rd time in 3 yrs with 2 different boats that I have had to remove the rub rail and replace broken screws on the top cap of my boat (Mainly stern location from motor out to sponsons) . On my 07 the first thing I noticed was that the screws under rub rail were no where near the same size as the ones on my old 06. The thing is I plan on keeping this boat for a while. If I keep having to redrill new holes to secure the top cap it will just make that area weaker and weaker.

Has anyone else had this issue and if so what was your permanent fix?

NOT knocking Skeeter at all but the only people that I know (a club of over 60 members) the only folks that have a issue like this are Skeeter owners.

I was thinking if I had to do this again I was going to use some type of adhesive or sealent to try and weld the topcap and hull in place on the stern of the boat. Just tossing out ideas. I dont mind working on my boat at all but for some reason this issue really really gets me

[Skeeter Jay]

'07?? wouldnt this be covered under a warranty? I wouldnt touch it, I would make my dealer handle it.

[Neilslure]

I havent had this issue on my ZX250. If the screws are just vibrating loose, put a dab of silicone on them. If they are broke, I dont know what could have happened.

[JJohnSind]

I haven't had it happen to my Skeeter yet ('07), but it has happened on ALL my previous boats (other brand - Rangers). I usually just retighten with silicone. I don't think those screws hold the top cap on, they just hold the rubrail in place. I guess all boats just flex a lot and this is a common occurance.

[TMATTE]

I have an '06 21i, and have the same problem. Had it on my '04 ZX225 as well. Didn't make much sense to me either.

[jgun]

Same think on my 05 ZX 250. I expect the same on my 08 ZX225. Sucks though.

[skeetr22]

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by JJohnSind &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote"> I don't think those screws hold the top cap on, they just hold the rubrail in place. </TD></TR></TABLE>

That is exactly what holds your top cap on. 1/8 inch diameter stainless screws (maybe a tad larger) screwed in about every 8 inches. The the rub rail is put over the top of those screws and screwed into and through the top cap inbetween those screws.

My 05 had larger diameter screws under the rub rail than what they installed on my 07. Hmmmmmm

The other factor is my dealer is over 2 hours away. When I mentioned this to them on the first boat my first impression was that I was barking up a dead tree. Since that day and 2 other small instances with them I will not grace thier door again. I can drive over 2 hours west and hit another dealer who I am told is a outstanding Skeeter dealer.

Does anyone think that by adding a sealent in the gap between the topcap and hull would work?


I wish Skeeter would adhere thier topcat like Basscats do....it would be game over after that.

[Randabugman]

Want me to come get it for you and take it over to the dealer west of you? Course I'd have to keep it a week or two just to make sure everything was right

[skeetr22]

LOL I am sure you would. Better yet why dont we just figure out a day sometime next week to meet half way there and you can personally inspect my boat from the top deck?

[Randabugman]

Pick a day. I know the meeting spot

[PowerFish]

Same problem on my 02 ZX250, I went around the entire thing, had a handful or so of broken screws, replaced them (redrilled about 4 maybe) with new and used 3m 4200 sealant...

I took off the rub rail (I only did one side at a time, not dropping the whole thing), then backed each screw out one at a time, cleaned the glass and blew the hole out with compressed air... Filled each hole with 4200 (from a caulk gun not a tube) and re-installed the screw...

Then went back around and filled each hole for the rub rail screws with the 4200 (not all at once by the way) and re-installed the rub rail...

That was May, and I check this regularly now and have seen not a single screw back out and the rub rail is nice and snug/tight... Just be sure to clean up and re-caulk the bottom of your rubrail...

Main thing with this is take your time, took me about 4 hours total... Hope that helps...

[DKees]

I had a buddy up in Montgomery with this kind of problem on his Skeeter. He don't call me much anymore though so I can't remember his name but I think he had the same issue that you're talking about.

[Randabugman]

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by DKees &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">I had a buddy up in Montgomery with this kind of problem on his Skeeter. He don't call me much anymore though so I can't remember his name but I think he had the same issue that you're talking about.</TD></TR></TABLE>
I had a buddy in Katy used to run into every now and then, he don't call me much either Must be the veggies getting to you DK

[skeetr22]

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by DKees &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">I had a buddy up in Montgomery with this kind of problem on his Skeeter. He don't call me much anymore though so I can't remember his name but I think he had the same issue that you're talking about.</TD></TR></TABLE>

You may never come back from Somerville.

Speaking of Somerville have you anytime to make it that way? Maybe you need a personal day from work?

[DKees]

I can smell a personal holiday already. I'll call you Monday

[DKees]

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Randabugman &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">
I had a buddy in Katy used to run into every now and then, he don't call me much either Must be the veggies getting to you DK </TD></TR></TABLE>

I saw you at Fayette a few weekends ago fishing in my cove. Did you not see me flip you the finger?

[Skeeter20I]

That is a common problem with Skeeter boats. I have had several over the years, and almost all of them do that. The only one I had that the screws actually broke on was a 2004 ZX225. Dawson wont take care of it?

[ricqik]

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by skeetr22 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">

That is exactly what holds your top cap on. 1/8 inch diameter stainless screws (maybe a tad larger) screwed in about every 8 inches. The the rub rail is put over the top of those screws and screwed into and through the top cap inbetween those screws.
</TD></TR></TABLE>
That's exactly right. Mine used to unscrew and I would see a bulge sticking out from the rud rail. I eventually got tired of srewing them back in so I just took off the rub rail and unscrew each screw one at a time and put some opoxy on and crew them back in. Since then I've only had one poke it itself out a bit.

But yeah, if the screws are breaking, somethings wrong.

[PowerFish]

From what I could tell when I did mine, the ones that broke probably were the first ones that backed out, and previous owner never noticed or never did anything about it... Had a couple in the transom area broken and a couple on the front right... No problems since I used the 4200, I think it works well because it's pretty much permanent but still flexible...

[skeetr22]

The ones that I have found broke were still screwed in just snapped between the topcap and hull. I am not sure who mentioned it but your correct that Dawson Marine will not do anything regarding this problem. I didnt want to mention any names or bash anyone but I guess I am not the only one that has had to deal with thier customer service. Yowell's is looking better and better each time.