Boat help in middle Tn

I have a 96 model 17 ft aluminum bass tracker and the tye down hook has come lose. I looked at getting to it but it looks like it is way over my head as to how to get at the nuts on the inside. Took off the gas tank vent closes thing to it that can be unscrewed and all was filled with foam. Does anyone know a good person to fix this problem near Shelbyville. Any help will be appreciated.

Thanks guys.

Adams welding near Manchester. Really good work, but don't expect them to drop "regular" work to help you on your small project. They have welded a couple transoms for me on outboad jet boats.

Thanks bfish. I dont think this is a welding job. But maybe thay can fix it. Will post pictures so people can see tonight. The back deck seems to be one large piece so I dont think you can remove it easily to get to this thing and maybe welding is my only option.

Dave, you probably going to have to dig out some of that foam to get to the nuts that hold it on. Take a tape and measure from the tiedown to a referance point on the hull that you can use on the inside. Measure to the inside and dig out some of the foam to access nuts. i would take off nuts one at a time and replace with new stainless lock nuts. it can be done just take your time. when done if you feel the need to replace foam get a can of low expanson foam insulation and spray some in where you removed foam. Dont think welding is a option since hull is aluminum and tiedown is stainless.

Thanks Cray. That does sound like what I will have to do. The holes where the tie down mounts look to be in good shape. No sure how the nuts and screw part look on the inside. Pulling out that foam doesnt look like fun at all as it is the blow in type already. But i can imagine if I pay someone to do it that is what they would have to do. Wish mew luck. :)

I am wishing you luck because I know what a job it is. That's the reason I suggested measuring. Get close then use a long thin knife like a Filet knife or Bread knife and try to just go straight in then cut out a section to acess the nuts.

Attachment 102732Attachment 102731This is the problem.

Looks like your best bet as bad as I hate to say this is remove rear deck. Going to be awful hard to acess without doing that.

There should not be any foam in the transom.

My solution (right or wrong) would be to fill and weld a plate over the old holes. Then uses screws to hold new tie-down.

I'm with bfish. I would have a plate welded on.