So, how bad is it? Stripped bolt at transom

« **on:** June 11, 2012, 09:32:32 PM »

Well I was out looking at the trailer bunks making sure they are all line up after replacing them today and I noticed water dripping out the bottom right screw of the jet "housing" (I'm still learning some terms sorry if i'm not calling it by the correct name) I was able to pull the screw out with my finger

My question is: Is it wood or fiber glass at the bottom of the transom where the pump mounts? I know all hulls are different. Mine is a 78' Challenger with a Dominator jet. At first glance (because of the rust from the screw) the hole looked to be in wood. But after looking at it some more, to me it looks like the very bottom of the transom has no wood. If it is wood am I looking at some damage cause by water? I have no idea how long it's been like that. I'm hoping someone can clarify for me. I have included some pictures, sorry for the quality they were taken at night.

Here is a pic of the Screw location.

So, how bad is it? Stripped bolt at transom

Here is the screw that came out (looks like a wood screw

)

But when shinning light from the inside, the screw hole lights up, Fiberglass?

« **Reply #1 on:** June 11, 2012, 09:43:25 PM »

If you can get to the inside to install a nut, I would recommend getting a couple stainless countersunk bolts and install them with stainless nyloc nuts and washers.

« **Reply #2 on:** June 11, 2012, 09:54:26 PM »

Quote from: crewchief22 on June 11, 2012, 09:43:25 PM

If you can get to the inside to install a nut, I would recommend getting a couple stainless countersunk bolts and install them with stainless nyloc nuts and washers.

This....

and if not, get the same size screw, but a longer one....and some of that epoxy putty stuff that you knead up....make up a batch, give your longer screw a quick shot of WD40 (release agent), pack the epoxy putty around the long screw and stick it in the hole. Make sure you pack the epoxy in good. As soon as it starts to kick...turn the screw out, let it finish, then put a new short screw back in with some RTV (see Glenn, I'm using the right terminology now) or bathtub caulking and call it good.

« **Reply #3 on:** June 11, 2012, 09:58:07 PM »

Thanks for the tips guys,
Does this mean it's just fiberglass down there? I'm just hoping there isn't and chance of wood damage. Also the screw hole sits under the jet so getting to it from the inside is impossible...

« **Reply #4 on:** June 12, 2012, 06:48:48 AM »

I have 3 at the bottom of my cover and silicone on threads and some on the head once installed. I had a small leak as well and this is a quick fix. You could use a toothpick to snug up bolt threads.

« **Reply #5 on:** June 12, 2012, 07:01:18 AM »

I would personally remove the transom adapter plate so that you can access the hole easily. I would then drill the hole slightly larger than it's current diameter and then get a wooden dowel that fits tightly in the newly drilled hole. Then, put a liberal amount of wood glue on the dowel and tap it in the hole, it should be a tight enough fit to require being tapped in. (you might want to pre-cut the dowel to length so there is no overhang on the inside or outside of the boat)

Then once the wood glue has dried, cut yourself a nice 1"x1" piece of fiberglass mat and resin it on the inside of the boat to make sure your seal is perfect. Then place the transom adapter plate back on and mark your new hole. Pre-drill the hole and then insert a new screw, but make sure the new one is stainless.

As mentioned above, thru-bolting would probably work also, but getting a wrench on the inside nut will probably be close to impossible.

« **Reply #6 on:** June 12, 2012, 07:15:11 AM »

I bet you could stick some RTV in there and use a bolt nut and washer and you will be fine.

I would not worry about it too much. just try a few things till it stops leaking.

« **Reply #7 on:** June 12, 2012, 01:53:33 PM »

I had a chance today to look at it in the daylight. I can confirm that the bottom two screws are through fiberglass only

There are 8 other bolts and nuts throughout out the mount that go through the transom, only the bottom two are screws. I think i'm going to try this...

Quote from: lbhsbz on June 11, 2012, 09:54:26 PM

and if not, get the same size screw, but a longer one....and some of that epoxy putty stuff that you knead up....make up a batch, give your longer screw a quick shot of WD40 (release agent), pack the epoxy putty around the long screw and stick it in the hole. Make sure you pack the epoxy in good. As soon as it starts to kick...turn the screw out, let it finish, then put a new short screw back in with some RTV (see Glenn, I'm using the right terminology now) or bathtub caulking and call it good.

I'm just glad no wood back there was getting wet.

« **Reply #8 on:** June 12, 2012, 02:02:47 PM »

take a countersink drill bit to clean up the hole, get a new countersink SS bolt, dab a little bit of 5200 on that bad boy, tighten it up with a SS nylon nut on the other end. bam done deal. even if the nut fell off that 5200 aint gonna let it leak.

« **Reply #9 on:** June 12, 2012, 02:29:03 PM »

Quote from: ka0tyk on June 12, 2012, 02:02:47 PM

take a countersink drill bit to clean up the hole, get a new countersink SS bolt, dab a little bit of 5200 on that bad boy, tighten it up with a SS nylon nut on the other end. bam done deal. even if the nut fell off that 5200 aint gonna let it leak.

That sounds like the ideal way but I cant get to it from the inside. Also the hole is already nice and smooth

maybe from the screw rattling around? I think expoxy is going to be my best friend here.

« **Reply #10 on:** June 12, 2012, 02:34:44 PM »

Quote from: metallicats33 on June 12, 2012, 02:29:03 PM

That sounds like the ideal way but I cant get to it from the inside. Also the hole is already nice and smooth maybe from the screw rattling around? I think expoxy is going to be my best friend here.

you could probably lift the boat from it with a little dab of 5200. the stuff is intense. only put it on things that you never want/need to remove later on. and that hole seems pretty useless to me.

« **Reply #11 on:** June 12, 2012, 02:39:25 PM »

Quote from: ka0tyk on June 12, 2012, 02:34:44 PM

you could probably lift the boat from it with a little dab of 5200. the stuff is intense. only put it on things that you never want/need to remove later on. and that hole seems pretty useless to me.

what about when i need to remove it for the inevitable jet rebuild later on?

« **Reply #12 on:** June 12, 2012, 02:45:55 PM »

Just do a quick fix and run it for the rest of the season.... no need for extra drama. Small dowel or tooth pick to get some bite with some silicone on all of it including the screw head....done. Worry about a better fix if and when you need to pull your pump for a rebuild. Regular marine silicone...not some BS grip forever stuff.

« **Reply #13 on:** June 14, 2012, 09:21:39 PM »

Looks like i got it all taken care of, I used some of that epoxy putty like lbhsbz suggested then a good amount of marine RTV. I'm going to check for leaks on Saturday but it looks legit. The threads from the putty seamed to hold nice and strong.

Thanks again for all the tips,
James

« **Reply #14 on:** June 14, 2012, 09:26:09 PM »

Sorry that I'm not offering any advice but I too have a 78 Challenger...also with a Dominator jet. Have any pics of your boat?

« **Reply #15 on:** June 14, 2012, 10:41:26 PM »

Quote from: MBlack on June 14, 2012, 09:26:09 PM

Sorry that I'm not offering any advice but I too have a 78 Challenger...also with a Dominator jet. Have any pics of your boat?

one crummy pic coming up...

« **Reply #16 on:** June 16, 2012, 09:57:40 AM »

Quote from: metallicats33 on June 14, 2012, 10:41:26 PM

one crummy pic coming up...
(Attachment Link)

Nice. My canoe

« **Reply #17 on:** June 20, 2012, 12:36:08 PM »

That's not crummy! What lake/water is that?

« **Reply #18 on:** June 20, 2012, 01:44:24 PM »

The lake looks like Puddingstone reservoir to me

« **Reply #19 on:** June 20, 2012, 01:52:08 PM »

Quote from: uncleBOBBY on June 20, 2012, 01:44:24 PM

The lake looks like Puddingstone reservoir to me

You are correct sir

« **Reply #20 on:** June 29, 2012, 08:15:50 PM »

Took it out on tuesday, ran it around for a good while. No leaks

Thanks again for the helpful ideas guys.

metallicats33

crewchief22

lbhsbz

metallicats33

Your Mom

Nick

AQUAHOLIC

metallicats33

ka0tyk

metallicats33

ka0tyk

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Your Mom

metallicats33

MBlack

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MBlack

Omni_flyer

uncleBOBBY

metallicats33

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