Correct way to attach hull fittings?

[nola mike]

I've restored my interior, pulled up and replaced the floor, and while I was there I drilled a bunch of holes in my stringers and transom (from the inside) to verify their integrity. I'm hoping to have this boat for the longish term at this point. Next step, hopefully this offseason, is to replace my 470 with a 4.3L. Because, why not?
Last nagging concern is my transom. Although I drilled holes from the inside before, I've always worried about the screwholes from my speedo pitot, fish finders, etc. Today I drilled out 5 holes with a 5/8" forstner bit from the outside into the transom. I was relieved and a bit surprised to see the shavings in the pic below. I filled the holes with PC-11 epoxy, and plan to redrill some pilot holes, put some 4200 on the screw threads, and put everything back on. I have the supports for the ladder still to do (6 holes). Should I do this same procedure for these, or something different?

 

[Scott Danforth]

when I redid my transom, every thru-transom bolt hole was enlarged to 2" and the void packed with PB then when I re-drilled my holes, I know water couldnt get to the wood. same principle that you are doing. ladder would be the same.

 

[nola mike]

Yup, that was my thinking as well, and I want to be absolutely sure that the boat is structurally sound before I drop another couple of thou on a new motor, knowing that i'll never get anywhere near what I've put into it/am planning on putting into it. No through hull bolts, they're all screws. Only concern was how the epoxy would hold up to the stress on the ladder v. going directly into wood.

 

[Scott Danforth]

I would build a 350 or 383 stroker myself

 

[AShipShow]

I would build a 350 or 383 stroker myself

I think Scott sneaks around this forum plugging 383 strokers wherever he can... lol jk :laugh:

 

[nola mike]

Do you see what it's going in? It already would touch 50 when I got it. This is going to be 50% increase in HP on a 1700# hull. It's already fast enough, just need a little more oomph getting me out of the water on a slalom ski. Although, by the time I actually do it I might be too damn old...
Paid $4k for the boat 10 years ago, $2k for the renovations so far, the motor swap will be another $2k, and I'll be able to part the 470 for at least $1k. I'm going to have the best $7k boat money can buy. I'm getting excited about the swap now. Have been dreading possible transom rot.
I'm going to celebrate and buy some new speakers now.

 

[Scott Danforth]

I think Scott sneaks around this forum plugging 383 strokers wherever he can... lol jk :laugh:

Because stroker cranks for 4.3 blocks are $3k...and only $900 with rods and pistons for an SBC

 

[JASinIL2006]

Yup, that was my thinking as well, and I want to be absolutely sure that the boat is structurally sound before I drop another couple of thou on a new motor, knowing that i'll never get anywhere near what I've put into it/am planning on putting into it. No through hull bolts, they're all screws. Only concern was how the epoxy would hold up to the stress on the ladder v. going directly into wood.

Personally, I'd be concerned about the stress a ladder would exert on screws whether they are embedded in epoxy or wood. I think it would be much safer (and less likely to serve as point of water intrusion) in the future if you overdrilled holes and filled with epoxy or PB, then thru-bolted and sealed with 4200 or 5200.

 

[nola mike]

Could maybe through bolt at the top, but don't know how accessible it would be at the bottom. Stress at the bottom is basically shear though, the top would be more of a tensile stress. Ironically enough, just redid the ladder today. The lower aluminum bars had corroded through. Was able to find a stock piece of aluminum at the hardware store. Drilled out the original rivets and bolted. Can't believe I didn't run into any truly unexpected problems.