U-bolt Blues

[kalla man]

so, this weekend i went to install some eyes on my transom and ran into a little problem, or so i thought. these are the bolts i was planning on using
http://www.iboats.com/Bow_Eye_80035...6456450--**********.370021346--view_id.167895

So, i drilled the holes on the right side of the transom and fitted the bolts in perfectly and had about a half inch of thread on the backside. well when i went to do the same on the left side of the transom i noticed the drill bit seemed to be going much deeper then before. ABOUT 2 in. DEEPER! For some reason or another the manufacturer had two extra layers of ply in the transom on the port side. SO I looked for a longer U-bolt at all my local stores.....boat, trailer supply, bolt and blade, hardware and I looked on the net. No 3/8" stainless U-bolts with the thread shaft long enough. I need at least 5" long threads. Please someone help me! I do not want to cut up the transom and Id really prefer to use the existing holes I drilled.

THANKS!

 

[JustMrWill]

Re: U-bolt Blues

I saw a 6" long one on westmarine.com 's website...try looking there..

-JMW

 

[Reinellchris]

Re: U-bolt Blues

worst case senario you could always pick up some 3/8 ss ready rod and get your local welding shop to extend the eyebolts you have.

 

[Chris1956]

Re: U-bolt Blues

Kalla, They sell bolt extenders. You would need to drill the hole a bt larger to accomodate it. It looks like a standard hex nut, but is an inch long. You simply put a stud or threaded rod in one side and the eye bolt in the other side.

 

[CATransplant]

Re: U-bolt Blues

If you have access to the inside panel, you could just counterbore the hole from inside and use the shorter u-bolt. It may be that you can't access that area, though...I've been there.

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: U-bolt Blues

I would just get longer bolts. I agree that counterboring the holes will work but there is more to seal up.