How to Install Rotating Deck Sockets

The newly designed Rotating Deck Socket will assist in mounting the guard on decks with various degrees of camber. Once you have installed the dorade and cowl vent, and the guard has been cut to the proper height and angle, the next step will be to slip the socket section onto each leg of the guard.

Now place the base section under each socket. Carefully position the base section so that the fasteners holes are in their correct position. (For example, if you have a leg facing forward, I like to have the base positioned with a fastener hole facing forward. Conversely, a side leg will have a fastener hole facing athwart ship.) Mark the location of the three fastener holes on the deck. With a fine marking pen, carefully draw a line around the perimeter of the ball joint where it contacts the socket.

After you have completed the steps above, you are ready to remove the sockets from the guard. Place the sockets and bases together on a flat surface. Line up the ball joint with the socket so that the line drawn before lines up with the perimeter of the socket.

Now look down inside the socket, and mark the inside of the hole, which is the surface of the ball joint. Next, separate the two sections, and drill a 3/8” hole through the marked hole on the ball joint. Insert a 5/16” bolt through the socket and ball joint. Secure the two sections with the supplied washer and nylock nut and tighten securely.

After you have drilled all the sockets and securely tightened the bolts, slide the rotating sockets onto the guard. Note that there are two set screws that can be tightened against the tubing. Alternatively, you can drill through the tubing and socket and through bolt the two together for a stronger connection.

Place the guard over the fastener marks, marked earlier on the deck. Re-mark any fastener holes if necessary. Remove the guard and drill the fastener holes into the deck. Final step is to secure the guard to the deck.