Fixing a stripped screw hole in base of Swivel-eze pedestal...

[NJKodiak]

Hi folks -

New to the forum here - looking forward to participating and learning some tips from everybody.

I just picked up a 2013 Crestliner Kodiak 16 side console with a 60 HP merc. Coming from my Dad's 1985 Stratos 375V which we fished on for many years, so not new to boating, but am definitely a newbie when it comes to aluminum boats and deep v's.

Question - so I fixed a small number of rigging issues on the boat and got through all that. Recently, I pulled up the floor on one side (I have the vinyl floor option) in a futile attempt to run extension leads for my onboard battery charger. I noticed that one of the ss screws holding the base of one of my swivel chairs was stripped. The screw isn't stripped, just the hole it was sitting in. All the others were good and snug so I'm not worried about it pulling away on me.

It looks like when they drilled this out at the factory, they didn't line up the hole in the deck with the stringer underneath, so I have no way of getting the screw to sit in metal, but I'd at least like to make it more snug in the plywood. What's a good way to fix that up? Just shove a dowel in the hole and reseat the screw I guess?

Thanks in advance for the help/suggestions -

Rich

 

[SigSaurP229]

Re: Fixing a stripped screw hole in base of Swivel-eze pedestal...

How about a stainless steel T nut and bolt?

 

[robert graham]

Re: Fixing a stripped screw hole in base of Swivel-eze pedestal...

Go to:I-Boats pedestal mounting bolts....for several fasteners/solutions for your problem....

 

[roscoe]

Re: Fixing a stripped screw hole in base of Swivel-eze pedestal...

Garelick Toggler Brand Stainless Steel Toggle Bolt Anchors


But you are going to have to remove the base to drill the hole the correct size.
You might want to order up a set of 6 and replace them all.

 

[fishrdan]

Re: Fixing a stripped screw hole in base of Swivel-eze pedestal...

Did Crestliner use a (1/8"?) aluminum plate below the deck to secure the pedestal bases? If they used an aluminum plate, you may be able to re-clock the plate, then drill/tap a new set of holes. When I rebuilt my 01 Superhawk, I drilled a new set of holes through the plate, so I was screwing into fresh holes. Tapping the screws threads will heat the aluminum plate, so once it cools down, the SS screws will fit tight.

You'll want to use a regular steel screw (same pitch as the SS screws) to "tap" the threads, since a SS bolt may seize and snap off in the aluminum plate.
- Re-clock the plate
- Drill the appropriate sized hole through the plate. (I don't remember size, a little over the screw shank diameter)
- Cut the head off a 3" long steel screw to make a thread forming tap
- Secure your tap(screw) into a drill
- Melt some wax on the tap(screw)
- Slowly run the tap(screw) into each hole and back out again
- Mount pedestal base with SS screws


If you have access under deck, and there is plenty of room around the pedestal base, a Pedestal Split Under Deck Ring may be an option. Either that, or what the other guys mentioned.

 

[NJKodiak]

Re: Fixing a stripped screw hole in base of Swivel-eze pedestal...

Thanks for all the help and suggestions guys. So yes, there are 1/8 aluminum stringers underneath the decking, and all but one of the bolts in this particular seat base were seated through the plywood and into aluminum. They must have lined it up improperly at the factory because this screw went through the plywood and into nothing (just the foam underneath). Since all the other bolts were perfect, I didn't want to try reclocking it, so I was able to use a dowel and re-sink the screw to where it's good and tight now, anchored in the deck.

Boat is brand new and hasn't been in the water yet, so I've just been doing work over the winter to get it ready. I noticed this issue because I was pulling up the floor to try and run an extension battery lead for my onboard charger. I've fixed a few other rigging issues and fitment issues from the factory as well during the process. So much for Brunswick Boats quality control!

I could have also done the toggle bolt but I'm not sure I could have found a match for the other square drives.

 

[rivermouse]

Re: Fixing a stripped screw hole in base of Swivel-eze pedestal...

I would give some "marine epoxy putty" a try first. It is super strong water tight and can be drilled.

 

[woosterken]

Re: Fixing a stripped screw hole in base of Swivel-eze pedestal...

how about some of those plastic or metal barbed thread in serts (don't know what they are called) put one in the hole put screw or bolt in and expands and holds tite

 

[fishrdan]

Re: Fixing a stripped screw hole in base of Swivel-eze pedestal...

So yes, there are 1/8 aluminum stringers underneath the decking, and all but one of the bolts in this particular seat base were seated through the plywood and into aluminum.

I wouldn't re-clock the base either. My Crestliner has an aluminum plate below the deck plywood (not the stringers) that the seat base screws into, I was talking about re-clocking that aluminum plate, but it sounds like your boat does not have the plate.

If you can remove the base, I'd use a SS T-nut from below deck, or a toggler as suggested.

I wouldn't use fill the hole with a dowel as it will rot out in a couple of years, epoxy as rivermouse suggests would be better.

 

[NJKodiak]

Re: Fixing a stripped screw hole in base of Swivel-eze pedestal...

Thanks for the additional suggestions - I might try an anchor as suggested. I'm not sure I can pack epoxy in sufficiently to provide enough holding power. If I can find a toggle bolt they matches the heads if the others might do that as well but yeah, I didn't think if the rotting issue.