DRILLING HOLES IN TRANSOM

[izuizme]

I have just got a new fish finder. I am concerned about drilling holes in the transom to mount the hardware and attach the cables. What type of screws should I use and will this cause water to leak in thru the holes in the fiberglass ? Should I use some kind of sealant during the process??

 

[Ralph 123]

Re: DRILLING HOLES IN TRANSOM

The transducer should have come with proper sized stainless steel screws (anyway that's what you want to use)<br /><br />I drill my holes, squirt 3M 5200 into the holes, then dip the threads of the screws in 5200 and then screw them in. Sometimes I get anal and seal the head of the screw with Permatex RTV

 

[DuPont Spinner]

Re: DRILLING HOLES IN TRANSOM

Well...I am by no means an expert on drilling holes in boat transoms, but I've done it to mount a couple of transducers and it's really no big deal. Drill the holes somewhat smaller than the mounting screws, apply some 3M adhesive/sealant to the threads and your done. Just make sure the drilled holes are small enough so the thread bite real good into the transom material. Use stainless steel screws. Tighten the screws firmly and you're ready to go. The 3M sealant is available at Wal-Mart. DuPont

 

[izuizme]

Re: DRILLING HOLES IN TRANSOM

Thanks,Guys I'll Try That..

 

[PAkev]

Re: DRILLING HOLES IN TRANSOM

Your concern is valid enough for the marine industry to offer an alternative to drilling holes.<br /><br />You can buy transducer mounting blocks made of plastic or nylon that are about 1/4 or 3/8 thick and about a foot long. These can be glued to the hull with epoxy and then the transducer gets screwed into the solid plastic block instead of into the hull.<br /><br />I've seen them on the shelf at my local marine dealer but believe any marine supply catalog should offer these.<br /><br />Kevin

 

[izuizme]

Re: DRILLING HOLES IN TRANSOM

PAkev I like that even better,thank U

 

[wgl333]

Re: DRILLING HOLES IN TRANSOM

But, none of that addresses getting the cable from the transducer to the FishFinder.....he still has to drill somewhere to route the cable. The screws aren't the only worry. Yes, I know the cable is routed above the waterline, but, nevertheless, a hole still has to be drilled through the transom and though it is just above the stationary water line, it is exposed to just about as much water. Same sealants that were suggested above for the screws are suggested for routing the cable as well.

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: DRILLING HOLES IN TRANSOM

2003 post LOCKED