Seal Transom Screws How Often?

[seedlings]

Is it good practice to seal the screw / bolt holes for transom attachments every year? I sealed with 5200 last year.

Thanks!

CHAD

 

[smokeonthewater]

Re: Seal Transom Screws How Often?

with 5200... once every 20 years or so

EDIT: assuming everything is solidly mounted... no sealant will hold up to sloppy holes and loose hardware on load bearing connections...

 

[JASinIL2006]

Re: Seal Transom Screws How Often?

Not a bad idea to inspect them carefully, though. A number of us who have had to replace our transoms found the leaks originated at the holes where the ladder was bolted to the transom. I'd rather re-apply 5200 every few years after an inspection than rebuild my transom again.

 

[dingbat]

Re: Seal Transom Screws How Often?

with 5200... once every 20 years or so

5200 is not UV protected. You ought to see the mess I had to deal with when the PO used 5200 to seal holes in my hardtop. The $rap turned yellow, hardened, and pulled loose from the edges allowing moisture to get into the core within 5 years of application. What started out as holes the size of a dime turned into holes roughly an inch 1" in diamter by the time I dug the rotten wood out of the area.

I'd rather re-apply 5200 every few years after an inspection than rebuild my transom again.

Properly drilling and bonding the hardware using a marine epoxy like West Systems, not only provides a better seal, but it completely negates the need to inspect and re-apply anything.

WEST SYSTEM | Use Guides - Bonding Hardware

 

[seedlings]

Re: Seal Transom Screws How Often?

Thanks. My boat get's pulled out of the garage, driven to the lake, out on the water for a day or two, then back to the garage. There's no long period of time outside for UV risk. I'll check her over, especially anything that looks suspicious, but won't re-seal everything for the fun of it

CHAD

 

[smokeonthewater]

Re: Seal Transom Screws How Often?

ALSO keep in mind, UV doesn't penetrate bolt n screw heads or stainless washers... I have factory applied 5200 on my 1988 wellcraft parts boat that rips the fiberglass apart today trying to remove hardware

 

[metriccrescentwrench]

Re: Seal Transom Screws How Often?

5200 is not UV protected.

Yes, but a coat of paint can take care of that.

 

[dingbat]

Re: Seal Transom Screws How Often?

Yes, but a coat of paint can take care of that.

You can paint over Bondo too but...... it doesn't improve the integrity of the repair

 

[metriccrescentwrench]

Re: Seal Transom Screws How Often?

You can paint over Bondo too but...... it doesn't improve the integrity of the repair

I don't believe there's any questioning the integrity of 5200 when applied properly. I was referring to the fact that paint will protect 5200 from UV damage.