woodscrews in ceiling

[weedstomper]

Recently, I bought a '98 Hunter 260 (wing/bulb keel version). Boat is in pretty good shape. However, I was surprised to see in two places (head ceiling and port cabin ceiling) the tips of what look like ss woodscrews sligtly protruding through the ceiling liner. They trace back to one of the base legs of the port cabin stanchion and to the port sheet block. Hunter normally uses aluminum plates imbedded in the deck fiberglass with threaded holes into which deck bolts holding diverse fixtures are fastened. In this case, however, a long wood-type screw seems to have been used. Previous owner swears boat came like this from Hunter. Has anybody seem the same thing? Pretty disappointing. Cheers, Albert

 

[Crazy Dave Condon]

I was invovled with the two boats which yours is the 270 if wing keel. Only a photo can resolve but it sounds that was owner installed on the screws.

 

[weedstomper]

Thanx Dave. Recent indagation revealed, in fact, prior replacement of the original screws.... I will have to remove them, redrill and rethread the holes. Not sure in what state they'll be...

Any input on the type of screws that should be used: Length, type of thread?

Cheers,
Albert

 

[Crazy Dave Condon]

When going thru the fiberglass and the encapsulated aluminim, just go slow if drilling and you will feel when it has gone thru. Do not force down the drill or you will go thru the ceiling liner. To determine length, I use to put the rope clutch for example on the surface and took a small wood dowel, toothpick, etc.. and went down till you could feel the ceiling liner and then marked it. That is how I determined the lenght of the bolt which generally was a 1/4 X 20 oval head.

 

[weedstomper]

good info

Dave, Thank you for the useful reply, as usual. Did you have to make a thread for the bolt once the hole was drilled? I may have to redrill holes that may have been corrupted by passing through a wood-type screw...I may also find 3M 5200 residue too...

Thanx for the help./

 

[Crazy Dave Condon]

Generally the caulk had to be cleaned out and I merely retapped. However, if the threads are shot, you can redrill either behind or to the side as the aluminun plate is a tad larger. kTo make sure there is the aluminum plate in that area, first drill with a small drill bit 1/8 inch or smaller and if you see metal shavings, then you are ok to go and drill and tap.l I would seal up the old holes with caulk preferrably 5200 as they will be covered up hopefully. If not, put some epoxy filler down the holes and fill over with white gel.

I have had many discussions over the use of 5200. Generally anything below the water line or the attachement of the hull to deck is where I used that. I would suggest a good silicon like the stuff from West Marine brand made by Silaflex which is excellent or 4200. I hope this helps. Any other questions, send me an email sir.

Once, a customer who purchased an old boat called me at 2:30 am advising his new old boat was sinking. I went to the shop and got my gear and pumps and went and pumped the water out and put it on the trailer. Since he was having guests over the following evening, could I fix it then. I said I would return in the morning but it was already the morning. Upon return, I put the boat back into the water and found the swing keel retaining bolt did not have the rubber or neophrene washers to keep the water from coming in. First time for everything but the previous owner did a marvelous job with a new compound for sealing, bubble gum. I fell over astonished and luaghing.