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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.
I would like to thank everyone for there help. It may come down to welding on a new plate. I do know some very good welders around here as I am in the machine shop buisness and I could make the plate. We dont weld at our shop. The holes where the tie down attach are in good shape. So I will try to get at it though the gas vent as it will come off with screws. Cut away at the foam inside and see if I can get my hand in there to retighten the screws. Since we are going to have a bad weekend for fishing anyway I will try it saturday if it isnt raining. Will post more pictures of progress incase anyone else ever has this problem. Dont know what I am doing but that will leave the welding option open.
I'll be the heavy and bring up what came to mind when I saw the problem. I'll apoligise in advance cause this isn't pretty. Those bolts most times already have lock nuts on them and they don't come loose on their own. The transom on a lot of the older models had wood transoms and if the seal around the bolt is comprimised, water intrudes and begins rotting the transom. After they get soft enough things like in the picture start to happen. Repairs can be done on your own, and I would think you would begin by removing the rear deck. Should you get into the replacement, keep in mind that pressure treated wood has copper sulphate in it that causes corrosion when reacting with the aluminum. Marine grade plywood is needed, and sealing before installing is also needed. It's an involved process but you can save a bundle on labor by doing it yourself. Right now I'm crossing my fingers that I'm wrong and a simple fix is all that's needed. Keep us posted and let us know what you find. I think you're close to manchester so I can help some as my schedule allows.
Boy do I feel stupid. The boat is not a 96 model it is an 88 model. Ok now that I got that straightend out. I took off the gas vent and started to cut away at the foam. There is a lot of that in there. I was in very good shape. Of course the bilge pump hose is over that bolt and made it harder to get to. Could feel the bolt but could not spin it. It is stripped some. Tryed to get a wrench in there but not enough room to turn the wrench down. So all I did there was remove foam and scratch my hand up a bit. Did inspect the transom at that point and it is solid. Double checked every where I could see and tap on and it seems very solid. So it looks like the transom and foam are ok. I do not believe there is any mold or rot of any kind. I think the bolt just stripped from all the years of pressure on it from the tie down being to tight. Will have to watch how I do that.
Ok here is what I would like to do. I would like to remove the deck and fix and inspect underneath it. I dont know how to remove this deck as it is all aluminum. I do not see any scews holding it down. I peeleds back some of the carpet near the engine and still didnt see any screws Does someone know how this is done? I replaced part of the front deck 2 years ago but it was wood. I goggled it with not much help there. Maybe I am just missing the screws somewhere. Any help here would be appreciated. I can make a bracket and have it welded on but would like to keep the boat as original as I can and dont mind doing the extra work as long I I know how.
Thanks Sceetbum. I think it is good. I guess the next move is to remove the deck. Just need to know how. May have to go to Tims Ford Marina and ask them how to get it off. If they know. Hope they are helpfull there.