Hanger bolt swim ladder installation / '87 Starcraft

[DanteC]

I have a 1987 16' FG Starcraft Medalist. The swim ladder was factory installed with one through bolt and nut, and three lag screws. The lag holes have become stripped out. (New larger lags lasted one season.) Two of the holes are accessable from both sides of the transom and two are not --and this is what I could use some advise on. I am considering some kind of hanger bolt cemented in the hull and a nut on the ladder. Any ideas?

Dante

 

[Woodonglass]

Re: Hanger bolt swim ladder installation / '87 Starcraft

Pics are always a big help, but based on your description, I'd recommed drilling oversized holes in the transom and filling them with thickened epoxy and install threaded inserts into the epoxy.

 

[DanteC]

Re: Hanger bolt swim ladder installation / '87 Starcraft

Woodonglass, Thank you very much. I failed to mention in my original post that I (like a DA), drilled all the way through the hull on these two lower holes --trying to clean them out of 5200. Once the inserts have set up and I'm bolting it up, what should I seal between the insert and bolt with --and should I use a fine threaded bolt? Thanks again.

Dante

 

[DanteC]

Woodonglass,

Something like this?

http://www.yardleyproducts.com/products.php#selftapping

 

[Woodonglass]

Re: Hanger bolt swim ladder installation / '87 Starcraft

Fill the holes with the thickened epoxy and let it set up. Then drill and install the threaded inserts using 10min. epoxy on the exterior threads and fill the interior threads with vaseline. You will NOT drill all the way thru the transom again. I repeat You will NOT do this again. Only deep enuf to install the inserts. Use a drill press and a piece of 2x4 to drill a guide piece for your drill to ensure that your holes are perfectly parallel in the hull and put a piece of tape on the drill bit so you won't go to deep. Very important for the bolts to line up properly with the inserts. Coat the bolts with some 3M 4200 on final install so they won't back out on you.

 

[Yacht Dr.]

Re: Hanger bolt swim ladder installation / '87 Starcraft

Woodonglass,

Something like this?

http://www.yardleyproducts.com/products.php#selftapping

NO.. not any one of those brassy goodies will work. You need the SS ( Just like WOGS pic but in SS ). They sell them at West M. ..

As far as just filling and drilling .. we need some pics. If you can through bolt the bottoms and not the tops then your pivot fasteners wont do you much good.

You need the Top fasteners to hold better then the lower ones.

Just putting in some resin and tapping will only give you a bigger hole when it pops.

You need to create a backing plate of some kind so that your upper holes are SECURE and will not move.

YD.

 

[DanteC]

Re: Hanger bolt swim ladder installation / '87 Starcraft

YD,

I planned on using SS. The top two holes are going to be through-bolted. It's the bottom two that I don't have access to. I like WOG's idea with the epoxy, but what do you think of Marine Tex? I've used it allot on a sailboat I use to have. But if I do use epoxy what do you think about placing the inserts (with the bolts inserted, but unscrewed most of the way out), in before the epoxy sets up? I would use some small L-brackets and duct tape to hold them perpendicular while the epoxy sets up.

Thanks for your advise.

Dante

 

[Yacht Dr.]

Re: Hanger bolt swim ladder installation / '87 Starcraft

Im just saying that you have to make some kind of backer plate.

If you can not get to the other side then you need to make a backer plate inside the core itself or it will rip out again ( along with your SS insert ).

Open/Dig out the Blind spot between the lam and core as much as possible .. then pack it with epoxy/putty. Let cure ..drill your holes and install your inserts. Your bolts can not be longer then the inserts themselves or you can start pulling up on the inserts..

Hope this helps some ..

YD.