New 246 BR owner - Sunpad Question

[franchrm]

Hello - We just purchased a 2008 246 BR 350 MPI BIII with 100 hrs on it.  The boat has the sunpad option that flips up, though I am wonder if anyone has removed this as it seems like it will be in the way with kids getting in and out of the boat all day. When it is flipped up it covers some of the usable sunpad space for lounging.   Any options to remove and cover the hinge holes.

Thanks

[DZ]

Interesting idea to remove it. Never really considered that, as we don't open it all that often. Would save some wear and tear on the sun pad, I suppose, as people wouldn't be getting in and out across it so much, especially since seams tend to come loose around the piping on these boats.

We do like to have it there though, for use as a tilted up sun pad with the pole attached to the bottom pulled out. Some people like lounging that way better than just flat.

[bat32]

We ordered ours without the sunpad option just for that reason and love the dedicated walk through.  We did however have a custom insert made as a seat back to fill the void.  Not only does it add extra seating but more importantly we were worried about losing a little one out the back of the boat.  Now no more worries. 

[earl1z19]

Ours came with the pad and I removed it. I had a small filler pad  made that bolts to the hinges where the pad pivots. It works really well and looks like it belongs. Cost me $150 bucks at the local canvas shop.

[wxfcstr]

I've got the flip up on my 246. My biggest issue is having people flip the pad over so the metal leg drops onto the  fiberglass. Needless to say, I've got  a pretty good chip where the support leg has damaged the walk-thru (mostly done from the previous owner). Not the best design by Rinker. You'd think there would be a way to "lock" the pad in the up position to prevent this from happening. With the pad up, there haven't been any issues on my boat with people being to walk through. Kind of a pain that it covers the main sundeck when the walk-thru is up but it's not that big of a deal to "gently" lay the pad over to gain access to the engine compartment.

I'm going to get this repaired this winter but I need to protect the boat from this happening again. My wife and I like this setup and want to keep the walk-thru pad intact. I was thinking about putting a rubber bumper on the leg (similar to the one used for the windshield), so if it is dropped too hard it doesn't damage the fiberglass. Anyone have any other ideas about how to keep this from happening without taking the pad off??

earl1z19: can you email me a picture of the filler pad you had made. That's an interesting idea.

Bob

[earl1z19]

Of all the pictures we have of the boat, I dont have one of the pad. If I get a chance I will swing by the marina and see if I can get you one.

[tf2ttt]

I have a 226 with the flip up pad and two younger kids. Kids and wife love to lay out on it with the pad in the "recline" position so I wouldn't get rid of it. When they swim we've never had an issue with them knocking it over while it's flipped up. I might use it differently than most but when the kids are swimming the wife and I usually lay on the pad facing the stern so we can watch the kids. I have never really found the flip up to be a pain. I had my doubts when we first bought the boat, but the worries haven't really materialized.

I do agree with bat32 in that it does help with the worries of losing a little one out the back.

Congrats on the purchase. 

[ED3303]

The flip pad is probably my fiance's favorite feature of the boat.  Ours has a rubber bumper at the end of the support leg so glass damage has never been an issue.  Personally, we have never found the design to be cumbersome or difficult to use.  We open and close the "flip pad" quite often and now it is just as natural as opening a car door.  I can't imagine the boat without it to be honest, but I guess that's what makes the world go around, we're all different! 

[pepmyster]

Sorry for the delay....but welcome to the site!!!!!