Screw through hull, need some advice

[spktho]

I recently purchased a 1993 Hydroswift 1900 bowrider with some minor scratches on the keel, but it has what looks like a screw that is almost through the hull. I haven't found the screw inside the bow yet and the outside of the hull is still solid around it. Here's a couple of pics:

It's below the water line and is kind of bugging me. Should I get the screw(or whatever it is out), grind in down and fill with marine tex or is there a better option? Thanks in advance for advice.

 

[Bondo]

Re: Screw through hull, need some advice

grind in down and fill with marine tex

Ayuh,... That's about the most I would do...

 

[spktho]

Re: Screw through hull, need some advice

Thanks for the reply. So, if it's not too big or all the way through, I shouldn't worry too much about it?

 

[zach103]

Re: Screw through hull, need some advice

can you get to it from inside the boat?

 

[spktho]

Re: Screw through hull, need some advice

can you get to it from inside the boat?

I looked today and it is somewhere under the passenger's console. I think I would have to take out the console and maybe get under the deck to get to it.

What do you guys think, should I even worry about it?

 

[Mark42]

Re: Screw through hull, need some advice

I would do something about it, just because it could be a leak or develop into a leak.

I can think of a few ways to address it. 1) just smear some marine tex on the outside to seal it, and keep an eye on it. 2) to sanding it down and filling with marine tex, or 3) take a 1/2 or 3/4" drill bit and drill into the center until the screw is struck. Then use something like a punch and hammer to drive the screw back a little or bend it over so its not touching the hull, and then fill the hole with marine tex.

Any of those should work. If it were my boat, I would do the third method because it will prevent the screw from pressing on the hull under extreme loads (like pounding water conditions) that might make the condition worse over time.

Hope this helps. Good luck!

 

[spktho]

Re: Screw through hull, need some advice

Thanks for the advice and I'm with you, it bugs me too and I like option 3 also. I may use a dremel though and grind it. I didn't notice it while inspecting the boat when I bought it and polishing and waxing it after, but the last time out on the lake it was pretty windy and choppy so the boat did take a little pounding--which may have caused it happen now.

 

[bhammer]

Re: Screw through hull, need some advice

If you use the dremel, you can get at the screw. They sell reverse EZ-outs that you can use. Once you grind down the point, you can use a #35 drill bit to get started. Then use the right size bit for the EZ-Out and unscrew it from the underside of the hull. You'll end up having to push the out though the hole, or figure out a way to get the EX-Out out of the screw and punch the screw the rest of the way through.

 

[ebry710]

Re: Screw through hull, need some advice

If you use the dremel, you can get at the screw. They sell reverse EZ-outs that you can use. Once you grind down the point, you can use a #35 drill bit to get started. Then use the right size bit for the EZ-Out and unscrew it from the underside of the hull. You'll end up having to push the out though the hole, or figure out a way to get the EX-Out out of the screw and punch the screw the rest of the way through.

I like the Dremmel, but I don't think I would worry about extracting the screw. It is possible the screw might be holding down something.

Use your Dremmel to expose the screw, then use the grinding/cutting head to cut the screw shorter. Re glass/resin the hole and call it good.