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What are These Wooden Cleats in my Montauk?
simontonmc	#1  Posted on 07/13/13 - 4:18 PM
Member Personal Page Posts: 25 Comments: 0 Joined: 08/15/11	On both sides of my 1979 17' Montauk, just in front of the console there are 2 wood cleats with hardware that appears to be designed to have something hook on it. I know that is a terrible description so I've posted 2 different pictures at the bottom of my personal page. Any thoughts? I was thinking it's for a Mills suntop or shelter? Edited by Tom W Clark on 07/19/13 - 7:54 AM
Joe Kriz	#2  Posted on 07/13/13 - 4:35 PM
Site Owner Personal Page Personal Album Photo Albums Project Albums Posts: 11447 Comments: 452 Joined: 03/18/05	Your thinking is correct. Mills Forward Shelter and Flying Top set. You can't see the blocks here but they are there. http://www.whalercentral.com/userphot...lbum_id=50 I had the same ones on my 1978 Montauk. You can see one of them in this shot: http://users.sisqtel.net/jkriz/Montau...seat-3.jpg Edited by Joe Kriz on 07/13/13 - 4:38 PM
simontonmc	#3  Posted on 07/13/13 - 4:39 PM
Member Personal Page Posts: 25 Comments: 0 Joined: 08/15/11	Thanks for the quick response! Any chance these are used in a Mills suntop installation? I'm looking to order one and was hoping I wouldn't have to drill any additional holes. What about the small metal clip that is in the foreground of the 2nd to last photo?
Joe Kriz	#4  Posted on 07/13/13 - 4:40 PM
Site Owner Personal Page Personal Album Photo Albums Project Albums Posts: 11447 Comments: 452 Joined: 03/18/05	Nope. The Mills Sun Top did not use those. I would highly recommend using track sliders on top of the gunwale like Mills now uses. You can find those instructions in the downloads section. Mills Sun Top for Montauk 17' w/Sliders http://www.whalercentral.com/download...owstart=15 As far as that clip. Look in the downloads section at the Mills Flying Top Set Installation Instructions for 16/17' hulls. Edited by Joe Kriz on 07/13/13 - 4:48 PM
simontonmc	#5  Posted on 07/13/13 - 5:27 PM
Member Personal Page Posts: 25 Comments: 0 Joined: 08/15/11	Thanks Joe
simontonmc	#6  Posted on 07/13/13 - 5:48 PM
Member Personal Page Posts: 25 Comments: 0 Joined: 08/15/11	Joe, the instructions for the suntop on sliders you linked to appears to be for 1998-2002 models. I have 1979 so I was thinking I would need the 52-5461-00 model. Instructions here: http://www.millscanvas.com/cfm/docume...nstall.pdf
Joe Kriz	#7  Posted on 07/13/13 - 6:22 PM
Site Owner Personal Page Personal Album Photo Albums Project Albums Posts: 11447 Comments: 452 Joined: 03/18/05	Almost everyone prefers the new mounting style with the sliders. You can put the top where you want it or move it forward or backward and put the shade where you want it. It fits all models, even the older 16's. With this newer model, you can stow the top in front of the bow rail and out of the boat. Completely out of the way. Look at the many personal pages with the new setup. Here is my prior 1978 Montauk. http://users.sisqtel.net/jkriz/Montau...t-side.jpg And an aftermarket top mounted with the sliders on a 1977 Montauk. http://www.whalercentral.com/infusion...?user_id=5 That is what I would recommend. Edited by Joe Kriz on 07/13/13 - 6:24 PM
Joe Kriz	#8  Posted on 07/13/13 - 6:53 PM
Site Owner Personal Page Personal Album Photo Albums Project Albums Posts: 11447 Comments: 452 Joined: 03/18/05	Here's another idea. If you don't want to drill any holes or mount anything else, why not just buy the Mills Flying Top and use the blocks you already have minus the Shelter blocks?
Joe Kriz	#9  Posted on 07/18/13 - 5:10 PM
Site Owner Personal Page Personal Album Photo Albums Project Albums Posts: 11447 Comments: 452 Joined: 03/18/05	simon, Here is another photo of the older style Mills Sun Top that takes up all the room inside the bow when stowed. Note the mounting and the separate blocks that you have that still aren't used. If you want the top inside the boat like that, then buy all means, buy the older style Mills Sun Top. Otherwise, buy the newer style that is outside the boat. Photo Credit: columbiawhaler Joe Kriz attached the following image: [37.16Kb]
simontonmc	#10  Posted on 07/20/13 - 4:55 AM
Member Personal Page Posts: 25 Comments: 0 Joined: 08/15/11	Thanks Joe. A picture is worth a thousand words. I didn't realize the extent to which the older style covered up the bow area. Think I'm going with the newer slide mount style. Thanks once again.
simontonmc	#11  Posted on 08/12/13 - 4:54 PM
Member Personal Page Posts: 25 Comments: 0 Joined: 08/15/11	So i ordered and received the newer suntop from Mills (52-H869-00) but it appears I'm missing 2 pieces of hardware. Mills calls them 1" Glove Studs (part # 25-0287-00) and they are supposed to be 2 of the 6 pieces of hardware used to mount the track (specifically in the aft most holes). Anyone have an idea what a glove stud looks like? I've accounted everything else on the packing list so I don't think I've overlooked anything.
Jay Fitz	#12  Posted on 08/12/13 - 5:05 PM
Member Personal Page Posts: 343 Comments: 0 Joined: 09/08/10	I am installing an older/used Mills Sun Top on my Montauk and am referencing their slider/track instructions as well, but I have a different brand of track. I was wondering the same thing earlier today...some of their part names are new to me. Also, anyone know how to remove a rivet on the SS frame so I can replace the torn black nylon straps?
kamie	#13  Posted on 08/12/13 - 5:28 PM
Member Personal Page Project Albums Posts: 2975 Comments: 3 Joined: 11/04/05	you can drill out the rivets. They are usually aluminum and pretty soft once you hit them with a drill bit
simontonmc	#14  Posted on 08/13/13 - 4:35 PM
Member Personal Page Posts: 25 Comments: 0 Joined: 08/15/11	Another mills suntop installation question....the instructions say to mount the track 3/4" from the edge. Would that be the inside edge of the gunwale or the outside?
Joe Kriz	#15  Posted on 08/13/13 - 4:48 PM
Site Owner Personal Page Personal Album Photo Albums Project Albums Posts: 11447 Comments: 452 Joined: 03/18/05	Good question as that is not clear. Look at the drawing. It looks like it is closer to the inside of the gunnel then the outside. It says "3/4 of an inch from the edge to the center of the track. Lay it on your gunnel and measure from the edge to the center of the track. Then compare what that looks like to the drawing.
Jay Fitz	#16  Posted on 08/13/13 - 5:19 PM
Member Personal Page Posts: 343 Comments: 0 Joined: 09/08/10	I'm going with 3/4 from the OUTER edge as the glass is probably thicker there...better to hold the screws.
Joe Kriz	#17  Posted on 08/13/13 - 5:24 PM
Site Owner Personal Page Personal Album Photo Albums Project Albums Posts: 11447 Comments: 452 Joined: 03/18/05	Here is a small screenshot. Looks closer to the inside to me. See attachment below. Also see the last two photos here: http://www.whalercentral.com/infusion...?user_id=5 Joe Kriz attached the following image: [35.32Kb] Edited by Joe Kriz on 08/13/13 - 5:31 PM
simontonmc	#18  Posted on 08/13/13 - 5:58 PM
Member Personal Page Posts: 25 Comments: 0 Joined: 08/15/11	I agree that the drawing makes it look closer to the inside. Measuring from the outside edge is pretty tough with the rub rail assembly. I think I'm going to go ahead and center the track 3/4" from the inside edge. Hopefully the screws hold up to the lateral pressure of the frame. I'll keep you posted.