fish box lid

[LittleRed1]

Can anyone advise where I can find an aftermarket lid to fit the fish box on a 1999 GW 180 Sportsman?

 

[DennisG01]

This is a fiberglass part? There is no "aftermarket off the shelf" for this. This is only made by Grady - the same as pretty much all boat manufacturers and glass parts. You can try looking for salvage yards or ebay. Otherwise, you can possibly repair it (or have it done for you) - search on this site - I know there's been threads about that. Worst case, a good fiberglass shop can build a new one. I'm not sure if you could still get it through Grady, or not... but it would be pricey.

 

[LittleRed1]

thanks. great boats but parts through a dealer are outrageously priced.
I have limited access to marine fiberglass shops in my area so I was hoping tp find an online fiberglass shop.

 

[DennisG01]

If it's the part I'm thinking of, it would be easily shipable. So from that standpoint, it makes it easy. Florida would definitely have shops.

How bad is it - what exactly is wrong? Can you fix it? Maybe with some guidance? Post a pic.

 

[Fishtales]

Do you have the original cover? Some times you can recore it and glass it over. It is what Grady refers to as a RTM (Resin Transfer Molded) part. It is formed like a sandwich. Grady uses fairing compound on the edge to give it that very smooth look. Not the most robust stuff though. I'm thinking you have a few choices. If you just want a cover, explore 5/8 or thicker starboard. You could contact Grady. They can make and ship it if you want an exact copy. Dennis is correct, it will be expensive. You could look around and see what is avail on ebay or salvage yards. Will take time to locate.

 

[Stephnic]

There is a really good fiberglass shop in south Jersey. They fixed two of mine last summer and put a new transom in my 268. I’m taking two more to him after the new year. They will look better then new. The shop is Young’s fiberglass in Maramora NJ. The picture is my transom before the motors were put back on.

 

[LittleRed1]

The fiberglass is delaminating & one side has cracked from front to back. The lid is obliviously weak when standing up front on the bow/fishbox lid platform. 1 large chunk of gel coat broke off the front edge. I have not taken pictures. I'm sure a good fiberglass tech could rework it. I believe the problems have been caused over time from the bow jarring & slamming with the lid latch loose at times. Though the boat is in good shape for its age, I don't think anything new or re-worked will match up as the gel coat has faded over time & I have never seen anything match that "off white" Grady color in the first place.

 

[Legend]

Even if it is not repairable it would make an easy job for a fiberglass shop to use it as a template and duplicate it. Good luck

 

[DennisG01]

From what you're describing, it sounds like it shouldn't be too hard for a good glass shop to fix it. They'll be able to match up the color of the repaired gel areas - if not perfect, it will be awful close.

 

[Fishtales]

I agree. They can recore it, fix the crack and fiberglass the side over the coring. I'd check a couple of FG shops in your area. That is a good winter project for someone.

 

[DennisG01]

Without seeing pictures, I'm only guessing here... but most times, when there's a crack in the side, it's just in the gelcoat - meaning, not structural. But, again, that's a guess based on limited info.

If you're OK with the aesthetics of it, and just want it to be structurally sound, just cut the core out and glass a new one in. That would be a really easy job.