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Loose Trim Tab Mounting Screws

A

ajexpress

Active member
So I'm out swapping out my 23P Mirage for the new to me Bravo I 24P and notice a small area of stained rocks under the corner of the transom. I stick my finger in the rocks and they are wet with what looks like motor oil....only doesn't have the consistency of oil.....more like water. I couldn't tell where it was coming from except under the tab itself....then I notice two dried faint lines from where the top of the tab mount attaches to the transom. I put my hand on the mount and find all four screws attaching to the transom are loose. Obviously my first fear is the screws are loose and water got in...or worse, the screws are loose because the transom is rotting in that spot. I was going to start taking things apart, but it was getting closer to dark and supposed to rain. I've never dealt with something like this, so would appreciate advice on what to do next.
 
If the screws will tighten back up put some sealer on the threads and holes and ride.
If they wont tighten up plan b.
The streaks could be just watery rust.
 
Is there any black marks running down the back of the boat? the faint lines I mean? rotting wood will do that, I first noticed black marks down the back of my transom 3 winters ago and what I thought was oil on the ground, mine only does it when it freezes, mine comes from the top lip of the transom, I'm just gonna run the piss out of it till the motor looks like it's ready to come off and then landfill it :o

I don't understand it, my boat has been on a lift or in a garage it's entire life and still water issues, I ran a lot of boats that were not taken care of at all that never had any water problems like this.
 
john lamon said:
I don't understand it, my boat has been on a lift or in a garage it's entire life and still water issues, I ran a lot of boats that were not taken care of at all that never had any water problems like this.
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After tearing mine apart and seeing some of the assembly techniques I understand it. Some things just aren't built to last forever. Unfortunately I think the majority of the industry is that way. I see similar stuff that makes me shake my head when working on cars.
 
Check it best you can, if it will tighten back up seal it and ride.. If it need attention address it when its too cold to boat lol.. I'm sure mine would have had water problems down the road had i not found them. Was all kind of water in it first time out.. i had everything, i mean everything, off the boat i could take off, beveled and resealed all.. like Dave said assembly technique is lacking..
 
I'll be checking it tonight. I gotta assume if all four screws are loose it won't tighten back up, but I'll double check. If they don't is plan B to through bolt, seal and ride till after boating season? I read a thread on transom replacement on OSO.....man that looks like a hell of a job. But it would give me an excellent opportunity to upgrade the motor. :bigthumb:
 
Worse than I hoped. Three of the four screws on the top trim tab actuator mount would not tighten. Then I headed down to the trim tab itself, and 8 out of 10 were somewhat loose and wouldn't tighten. Then noticed one of the bolt for the swim platform was sticking out about 1/2". So, I grabbed a rubber mallet. About 1/4 of the transom on the starboard side has that hollow sound to it. Mostly to the far starboard side. Around the drive is all good. Pulled out the four screws on the trim tab actuator mount and the wood in there looks dark brown. At this point I just want to salvage my boating season. I started pushing around to see if I could notice any flex where the rubber mallet gave more of a hollow sound, and didn't find anything significant. Talked to the future father n law and he suggested removing the screws, and thru bolting everything to some marine plywood I would install on the inside of the transom, and sealing all the bolts. Sounds like a plan that would get me through summer. Thoughts??
 
Threw bolt or take off. Seal real well and ride. Its not like haveing the weight of an ob hanging off of it. just my hillbilly summer fix. lol
 
keith4216 said:
Threw bolt or take off. Seal real well and ride. Its not like haveing the weight of an ob hanging off of it. just my hillbilly summer fix. lol
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I'm gonna take out all the screws that won't tighten and drill through to the inside of the transom. Let that air out for a week or two while it's hot, stick a piece plywood on the inside to shore things up, through bolt and call it good for the season. I'll recheck it after the season to see where it's at, and re-evaluated what I need to do. Thanks for the help.
 
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