Stern ladder

[Newowner2011]

One of the screws has pulled out of the fiberglass on one side of the ladder. I tried liquid nails to hold it back in place to no avail. Any suggestions on how I can reattach it to hold?

 

[joewithaboat]

Re: Stern ladder

Hard to say without a picture of the actual conditions.

You can drill a nice clean slightly oversize hole... if it is 3/16 now go 5/16... put a piece of white oak 5/16 dowel rod with some two part epoxy and let it dry. Drill a new pilot hole and insert original screw. You can get white oak dowel rod and epoxy at any home center.

or you can get to the backside.... through bolt it with a stainless machine screw, fender washer, and an nylock nut. Home centers have this stuff as well.

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: Stern ladder

JB marine weld epoxy and clean the old screw holes out first. Liquid nails will never work.

Your other alternative is to bolt the ladder through the hull with longer stainless steel bolts and seal the bolts up where they pass through with epoxy or 3m5200

 

[Another retired guy]

Re: Stern ladder

You should also be asking "why" the screw won't bite. It should be a firm fit into the plywood core. You may have some of the dreaded transom rot starting there

 

[Newowner2011]

Re: Stern ladder

I'll try to send a pic

 

[bgc]

Re: Stern ladder

You should also be asking "why" the screw won't bite. It should be a firm fit into the plywood core. You may have some of the dreaded transom rot starting there

Now, Now, there is no need to spook Newowner2011 with such terms. Transom replacement can be a joyous and relaxing experience....sorry don't know where that came from.

With the way its mounted to the bottom of the platform you might need to use the JB weld. (Starcraft mounted this uniquely)
Look into the back of the boat on the port side of the engine and determine if you can see the mounting hardware. If so, reinforce it from the inside with white oak as mentioned by joewithboat or a flat,angle of stainless,aluminum to keep the new fasteners from pulling thru

 

[Newowner2011]

Re: Stern ladder

I've tried to uplaod pic but keep getting error Upload of file failed

 

[Newowner2011]

Re: Stern ladder

I've looked as far back as I can on the port side of engine and do not see any bolts or screws coming through where you indicated I might

 

[bgc]

Re: Stern ladder

Frustrating aint it....
Post your photo in a "Photobucket" account first (its free and wont give ya a virus or junk email)
Select "Go Advanced" , click the attach photo icon, select "From URL", paste URL in box, uncheck "Remote", and voila!

 

[bgc]

Re: Stern ladder

I've looked as far back as I can on the port side of engine and do not see any bolts or screws coming through where you indicated I might

So your model has the bolts coming straight up into the bottom of the platform, correct?

 

[Newowner2011]

Re: Stern ladder

Thaks I'll give it a try

 

[Newowner2011]

Re: Stern ladder

That is correct

 

[Newowner2011]

Re: Stern ladder

I must be doing something wrong. It gives me message Invalid File

 

[joewithaboat]

Re: Stern ladder

There are several ways to upload photos. I find it pretty easy to just start with the "insert image" icon( 3rd from right),... then "from computer" tab,... select files

Just noticed where you are... I lived in Portland for 7 years.

 

[bgc]

Re: Stern ladder

Without seeing it but knowing this assembly...
Open the holes up and fill with an epoxy (JB Weld, 635...). After curing, predrill with appropriate sized bit for the screws you're going to use and reattach.
A SeaRay I did this to, I drilled a 3/4" hole into the platform, filled it, used masking tape to keep the epoxy from oozing out and it has held up well.

 

[Newowner2011]

Re: Stern ladder

Ok I managed to insert image into my original post. Take a look and advise. Thanks

 

[jigngrub]

Re: Stern ladder

I'm guessing those are just pointed sheetmetal/wood screws and not machine screws with nuts and washers on the back?

If they're the pointed wood screw you have a wooden backing block in there that is either rotted or the hole has stripped out... because of rot.

You can try what Bob said and inject/force some marine epoxy in there and let it setup, then drill a pilot hole for your screw and try to reinstall it.

When was the last time you checked your boat for the dreaded boat cancer?

 

[joewithaboat]

Re: Stern ladder

After seeing that picture, id say a trough bolt is the way to go if you can get to that area to add a backer of some sort and put a nut on it.

 

[Newowner2011]

Re: Stern ladder

I've got some in other areas but had not checked this area

 

[Newowner2011]

Re: Stern ladder

I could try but it is a very tight squeeze