Stern Pulley Bracket Pulled Out

[Mark]

I have an older Widgeon that I am restoring. With help from folks in this forum I successfully fixed my mast hole crack - Thanks!Okay, next problem. My Widgeon has a pulley on each stern gunwale. When I was checking them, I noticed the screws would just turn and turn. On closer inspection, I was able to simply pull the whole assembly out.What can I do to fix this? Longer screws? Move the bracket? Fill the holes and re-screw?There is no access to the underside of the deck at this point.Thanks for any suggestions.I'll be sailing sometime this century.Mark

 

[Justin - O'day Owners' Web]

Marine Tex

Mark -I would removed the fitting then clean up the deck with acetone. Fill the holes with Marinetex or similar epoxy product. You can buy a small patch kit at your local marine supplier. Then redrill the holes and mount the block.Justin - O'day Owners' Web

 

[Dave]

tapped hole or sheet metal screws?

if the holes are tapped holes for machine screws then you can get a thread repair kit at a hardware store. You fill the hole with the material then insert the screw covered with release agent, when cured you have a nice threaded hole again. Do not over torque the screw. If it is a self tapping screw like a sheet metal screw or wood screw Justin's suggestion should do the trick. Or just take some small pieces of wood and drive them into the hole to give the screw something to bite into. The compressive forces of the new threads will hold the material in the hole. It might not take a heavy load...what are the pulleys for?Dave

 

[dave]

an option

The wooden backing plate is undoubtedly rotted out. This is because not all the water successfully drains out from the hull prior to winter storage. If the boat is kept upside down, this water is trapped in the stern right where these blocks are mounted. My suggestion is to purchase a 4" inspection port, cut a round hole for it in the side of the cockpit about two to three inches below the decking. This will give you full access to remove the rotten material, and then install a new backing plate and through bolt it. With the cover on the inspection port it looks good, and will provide you with good access to the area.good luckdave