www.iFourWinns.com

Hello,

What a wonderful resource this site is. I feel like I just discovered gold!

I have a 1989 Four Winns Vista 245 with the factory standard teak swim platform.

When I purchased the boat last year from the original owner the L-Bracket was pulling away from the transom on the side where the ladder drops. The angle support is fine.

My initial thoughts were to simply remove the lag bolt which looked to be stripped from the transom and replace with a thru-bolt. Well, I can't get the darn bolt out! The threading of the bolt doesn't look like a thread of a lag bolt. I've looked in the bilge as best as possible and do not see any thru-hull-bolts coming in from the platform.

Anyone had a similar issue? Any ideas if it truely is a thru-bolt or a lag? Any tips or tricks?

Thank you in advance!


Vic

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Vic
"Byte Me"
1989 Vista 245
Lake Norman, NC

I have the same problem on our Sundowner, Vic.

I found someone local to fabricate new L brackets for me, mine are just shot, and I was considering the same through-bolt remedy but just unsure if it would be OK.

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Jon & Rhonda

'88 235 Sundowner
5.7L OMC Cobra
'01 F150 4.2L

Later swim platforms are held on at the transom by through bolts/ nuts, ( 1/2" x 2"), a large thick washer or pad on the inside spreads the load. So, I can't imagine there's be an issue with you changing to this set up ( as long as you can get access in the engine compartment to put the nuts on!), It has to be a more secure alternative to a lag bolt or an insert in the transom.

If the current bolt has a machine thread but doesn't go all the way through the transom, it sounds like there is an insert of some sort in the transom that it is screwed into. Is the bolt turning but not coming out? If so, the insert may have come loose in the transom and is turning. If the head of the insert can be seen, putting a wedge between it and the bracket might exert enough force to lock it and allow the bolt to be unscrewed. If not, there may be no option but to cut the bolt head off and grind the stem back flush/ seal it/ redrill the bracket and transom for a new bolt

Graham

Graham,

Thank you very much. I think what you said is exactly what is happening.

Typically a lag screw will have aggressive threads and usually wont have threading the first 1/2-inch or so. This is machine-type threading and as of yet I haven't been able to find anything on the inside of the bilge on the transom.

So it must be an insert of some sort which I've never seen before! What a pain!

I'm taking a breaker-bar down to the marina today and I'm going to try and do exactly what you say: Apply pressure and see if I can back it out. I did try this a little bit the other day and it seems like the bolt came out a little bit and then even when applying pressure it just wouldn't turn.

I was thinking of cutting the head off and pushing the stem in and seeing if it drops somewhere. And then I'd re-drill the hole through all the way and use thru-bolts. I've measured from the top of the gunwales down to the bolt on the outside of the transom and repeated on the inside of the transom in the bilge and it looks like I should be able to get to it.. hopefully.

So I guess they must put inserts in the fiberglass mold or something. What a PITA.

Thanks again.

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Vic
"Byte Me"
1989 Vista 245
Lake Norman, NC

I can't imagine they'd have put an insert in the transom core and then glassed over it; I din't think they'd ever find the exact position for drilling the holes for the bolts later! If there are inserts in there, they were probably fitted into drilled holes; hopefully they sealed the wooden core at those holes with epoxy or urethane to prevent water ingress.

Graham

Well, I got a mirror today and a flashlight and saw that Yes, it is thru-bolted.

Problem is, I need to find a CIRQUE DU SOLEIL employee to help me replace the bolt.

It looks like the nut and washer on the inside of the transom sunk in. I hope it's not rot, but either way I'm trying to find the smallest person possible that can hold a wrench or vice grips.

Taking the day off tomorrow for this project. Working on the boat is still way better than working in the office!

Thanks for everyone's input and help.

_________________
Vic
"Byte Me"
1989 Vista 245
Lake Norman, NC