Screws stripped

[bellnier]

I'm getting ready to sail my O'Day 22 for the first time next week. I noticed that the rudder was loose. The four screws that hold the upper gudgeon to the transom are stripped. What is the best way to repair stripped screws in fiberglass? Should I use epoxy?

 

[LANCE ON CLOUD NINE]

should be bolts, not screws

I'm getting ready to sail my O'Day 22 for the first time next week. I noticed that the rudder was loose. The four screws that hold the upper gudgeon to the transom are stripped. What is the best way to repair stripped screws in fiberglass? Should I use epoxy?

Pretty sure those are machine screws with nuts inside. If so, send a little kid into bilge to hold the wrench while you tighten from out side. Good luck and have fun on the first (and every) sail!

 

[bellnier]

You are right there are nuts. I talked to Rudy at D&R Marine. I have an 4" access port on the inside of the transom but its a tough angle. I thought you were kidding about getting a little kid. Thanks

 

[1977oday22]

I have a 22 and had the same problem. I ended up cutting a hole (yesterday 5/24/10) and added an inspection plate directly over the screws. After monkeying around, I think it was the safest way to go.There was no way I could get my arm through the plate by the gas locker, especially with a tool. Those screws are about 3" long, with a washer and nut. It looks like the actual thickness where the screw passes through the transom is about 1". Even if you could get your hand in there, it would be difficult to get anything done, there is not much room in there and the screws are close together.
The inspection plate is the way to go.

 

[bellnier]

That's also what Rudy suggested. I have a hard time cutting holes in the boat but I guess it's the best way to fix the problem. I see a 4" inspection plate is $12 in WM catalog that wouldn't look so bad. Thanks for your response.

 

[LANCE ON CLOUD NINE]

Another way you might be able to get to it from your existing port- is to securely duct tape an open end wrench onto a length of flexible wood similar in size to an old yard stick. You can put it in at an angle and press the wrench flat against inside of transom. It won't take much to hold the nut from spinning. Good luck.

 

[bellnier]

I guess there's no harm in trying that. I should be able to reach it but will need a mirror and flash light to see what i'm doing.

 

[1977oday22]

Due to the spacing, you're gonna need a very deep socket. PS. don't drop any tools down there!!!!! Good luck & let us know how it turns out.

 

[bellnier]

I did it! The mirror & flashlight was a total failure. The existing 4" access port is about a foot below the upper gudgeon screws. I realized that I could easily reach the bottom screws and noted the hex nuts were 7/16". I got a long handled 7/16” box wrench and started feeling around the upper screws and was able to grab them after a while. I was able to reach over the transom with a stubby screw driver and hold the screw while I tightened the nuts. It almost embarrassing how easy it was done. Thanks for the encouragement

 

[emergpa1]

I love my 26, i can crawl my scrawny self into every nook and cranny and there is no bolt or screw i cannot lay eyes on.

my motto is "eyes on task". i repeat that to myself under my breath when i go to do a task. what i mean is i exhaust every possibility to see, and my first priority is to be able to see what the hell i am doing: before i move on to the next step. That means being able to see the screw head or the bolt i am trying to remove the laceration i am trying to sew, the foreign body i am trying to remove, or the broken bone i am setting, whatever. So the first tool i reach for is usually a small high power flashlight about 2/3 of the time..a tool i keep in a spot in my tool bag that i can reach without looking for it. it is almost the most important thing in my tool kit....

eyes on task...
keith

WING ON WING....SWEET SENSATION