Bolt Hardware in transom

[Sprockett]

On the boats transom there is an eye bolt and a u-bolt that are used for tie downs to the trailer, one I've completely pulled out the eye bolt and filled all the holes around it with dowels and Rot Fix. But I noticed while filling the area with Marine Tex that the washer had pulled into the transom a ways. I'm going to replace the bolts but can I use bigger washers to prevent this, I think part of it is that they over tightened the bolt and it pulled in on both sides (and should I use a U or an Eye bolt?).

So being new to boats how I do add bolts like this the 'correct' way, I'm going to replace the hardware anyway as it had started to rust.

The Marine Tex has not hardened all the way because we keep getting intermittent weather, so I gotta wait anyway , I was hoping for Sun today.

Soooooo much to learn

-Paul-

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Bolt Hardware in transom

my suggestion is to replace the transon, you have a rotten one. your motor may fall off.

 

[Solittle]

Re: Bolt Hardware in transom

Paul - Take TSD seriously - you didn't tell us what you've got but if you are running a big engine on a small boat you could rip the transom of her. On the other hand if you are runnin a 9.9 on a 12' tinny -----------

 

[Sprockett]

Re: Bolt Hardware in transom

First of all I don't think the transom is rotted, the holes that I drilled out based on suggestions here all had good wood shavings. Only in one area was it questionable at all, outside of drilling 30 inspection holes in it for inspection or ripping it all apart there's no way to fully know.

The holes that I'm referring too where filled with Anti-Rot because I was being anal retentive about plugging them up, every single shaving has been bone dry, even the one that was qustionable. So given what I know without drilling the thing up, I should be good for this season and then I'll look into something like using seacast on it to fix it once and for all.

My question here was that when they put in the tie down bolts they cranked them and they compressed the glass and wood in that area, I don't want to repeat that so do I use larger washers, is a U bolt better for the trailor tie downs than an eye bolt.

-Paul-

 

[oops!]

Re: Bolt Hardware in transom

sprokett i agree with the above... might want to drill some holes...


but...if your convinced its solid.....

the bow eye hooks...(same on the transom) shoud have a washer that goes from post to post....you can also use large stainless washers.....but id throw some seacast in there

 

[Sprockett]

Re: Bolt Hardware in transom

You know I just don't have the heart or time to do a full transom repair, little stuff I can do, electrical.. no problem but I've never glassed before and don't want to learn on something I'll be going out on.

So if it means I have to replace the whole thing then I'll either patch and sell it to someone who wants to fix it or just dump it. We thought we were being careful but I guess we were wrong, There's no rot at the top at all, the transom is very solid from everything I can tell and I'm betting that getting the work done is not going to be cheap. I know there are options like Seacast but going in there with a chainsaw is not my idea of fun.

The boat is a 74' Sportster Glastron with an 84' 90HP evinrude on it, I completely regret even buying the damn thing now....

So much for going out boating this year

I'll see if the guy at the boat center has any ideas, otherwise it's out of here.

-Paul-

 

[Gary H NC]

Re: Bolt Hardware in transom

I made aluminum backing plates for mine when i put them back in.
Bed them in 3M 4200 also....

 

[tonyg11780]

Re: Bolt Hardware in transom

LMAO...Tashasdaddy...love it..straight to the point. Seriously..if the bolt pulled into the transom slightly, then the transom is probably not solid around the bolt hole. From my experience, seldom does the entire transom rot. It rots first around places that allow water entry, like holes drilled in the transom for eyebolts or u bolts. Then it expands from there. Im new here, but sounds to me like you are in the early stages of a rotten transom. Its your boat, but you may want to look deeper into this. I know this is NEVER what you want to hear. But its better to hear it early then to be cruising at 30 mph and have your engine fall off the boat and the boat turn to a submarine....Just doesnt make a good day of boating...

TONY

 

[Sprockett]

Re: Bolt Hardware in transom

I drilled a set of holes in the transom last night and was able to actually see where the rot started and where it's headed. It was a good exercise but delivered bad news, so now I'm faced with 3 options:

1. Find someone who does glass work to replace the transom.

2. Go the seacast route.

3. Dump the whole thing, we just want to go boating this summer.

We did some research last night into SeaCast, which actually seems like a good option but I have some questions about the transom on this boat. It's a 74 Glastron Sportster, on these models the transom has an odd shape and doesn't seem to go into the angled areas. If that's the case then I should be able to just fill that space with SeaCast, I also need to see if there is actually glass on the inside of the transom. I'm pretty sure there is but I saw another article on SeaCast with a later Glastron (it was an 84) and he had to glass one in.

I have a couple concerns with the seacast procedure:

1. Accidentally drilling through the bottom of the glass when drilling out the transom...

2. Cutting through the glass with the chainsaw.

3. The transom deforming when I'm done.

4. Removing the engine and finding a place to store it while I do this.

I'm going to call Seacast monday and talk to them about it....

-Paul-

 

[Coors]

Re: Bolt Hardware in transom

First, Anti rot don't work.

Second, if you can clean the transom out ( just a pain) and keep the f/g- search Gary's thread. He the mojo.

 

[Coors]

Re: Bolt Hardware in transom

And you might want to check the stringers. Welcome to boats.

 

[Robj]

Re: Bolt Hardware in transom

More bad news, you may want to check the floor and stringers while you are at it. Hopefully the are OK, but you should definitely check them out. It may make you decision easier. On my boat I had to replace all three.

Have a great day,

Rob.