Head Slipping on 290 Rinker

[merwin10]

Anyone out there notice there head enclosure slipping. Ways to find out, door sticking or appears to be warpped, you might notice a gap starting to form on the portal on the outside of the hull. This gap would show up at the top of the portal. Also wood trim starts to fall off and does not fit correctly when replaced.

What we found was the head enclosure was not supportted from the bottom correctly and was not tied to the stringers. Believe it or not the only thing holding ours in oplace was the chrome ring you can see from the out side the portal.

In Buzzards Bay MA we take a pounding when the wind comes up the bay. the little tabs on the inside of the trim ring broke off and in our case we ended up with a inch and a half opening on top of the head portal. Of course whenever it was rough salt water would enter and things inside would get wet.

The fix is difficult but worth while! Since the fix we have been in very heavy seas and the head enclosure has not moved. Interested email me at merwin10@comcast.net

Mike -

[fred menschner]

Merwin 10

                 Thanks for that info on the head..We have a 2003 290 and
                 when the winter is over and I remove the shrink wrap that
                 will be one of the first things I check...

                                                           "Nothing Left"
                                                                Fred

[merwin10]

Fred what to look for on the head portal. On the head enclosure inside the boat the portal is attached to the head enclosure, then a plastic spacer makes up the difference between the enclosure and the outside hull. The metal ring you see from the out side has 6 tabs on it that reach in and attach to the shower enclosure. Then the plastic spacer is caulked around the hull. Since the portal is attached to the head enclosure any movment of the head enclosure would pull on the tabs thus breaking them and separateing the caulking. Look for cracks in the caulking around the plasic spacer and metal trim ring from the outside. Most likely any cracks would be on the top of the portal which is very hard to see. Best done while the boat is on shore and use a ladder so you can inspect it closely.

Fred has the wooded corner trim between the head and the galley popped off yet and seems to be to long now? That is the first indication that something is slipping, or the drain hose to the shower get a kink in it under the enclousure this is very hard to see and get to.

I can walk you through the fix but it is intensive and you need to have some experience with tools and fiberglassing. None of the fiberglassing will be seen once done!

Mike -

[fred menschner]

Mike, Trim is still in place..I could not see any damage in the head area before boat was put away for the winter..I will follow your advice and in the spring will get on a ladder and inspect the area..How do you like your 290 and what engine/drive package do you get...thanks for the info...
                                                         Fred.

[merwin10]

Let me try again! the chone ring on the outside will look fine! It is the white plastic spacer between the head enclosure and the hull it is the caulking around the plastic spacer, usually first shows up on the top of the spacer, you will see cracks!

Would like to know if anyone finds this since ours we have found 3 others all 290's. Randy does know about this problem!

Mike-