Drilling new transom holes?

[Virginboater72]

Hey guys, if you haven't read my old post about the Glasstream, I scrapped the job. I purchased another hull, a 1976 Arrow Glass Cougar 15 ft tri-hull. I have stripped the old boat, and moved the 60 hp Mercury OB over to the Arrow Glass. My question is that the Merc is attached to the transom at the top with clamps, and at the bottom of the mount with bolts. I need to drill new holes for the bottom because they don't line up with the old holes. Is there a good way to make sure the motor is centered before I clamp in down? After it is clamped and centered I can then mark and drill the new holes. Other than sealing the bolt holes and filling the old ones, am I missing anything else?

 

[jigngrub]

Re: Drilling new transom holes?

Measure from the outside of the gunwales off of both sides to make sure you have the same dimension both ways and the center up with the keel and you should be right on.

What do you plan to fill the old holes with? I suggest a marine epoxy.

Inspect the shavings for dark color wood and moisture when you drill the new holes, if your transom is good the shavings will be light colored and dry.

Seal your new holes with 3M 5200.

 

[Virginboater72]

Re: Drilling new transom holes?

Sounds good. I have the 5200 already. Thanks.

 

[kfa4303]

Re: Drilling new transom holes?

+1. Measure 4 times and drill once! 5200 is your friend on the new through hull hardware and epoxy should fill the old holes per jig's suggestion. Good luck. Keep us posted. We love pics.

 

[73Chrysler105]

Re: Drilling new transom holes?

+1. Measure 4 times and drill once! 5200 is your friend on the new through hull hardware and epoxy should fill the old holes per jig's suggestion. Good luck. Keep us posted. We love pics.

Just one addendum to use thickened Epoxy as just straight epoxy will not stay in the hole.

 

[Virginboater72]

Re: Drilling new transom holes?

Thanks guys. I will have to get in the habit of taking pictures! On the transom holes, I filled the old holes with marine epoxy, and the shavings from the new holes were light colored and dry. I tried something that may be a little different. I say that because I hadn't heard anyone on here mention it before. The old transom holes were 3/8" diameter, so an old feller at the hardware store, the local "expert" suggested filling the old holes with a dowel. I cut the 3/8" dowel to length, coated it with marine epoxy, put it in the hole, and sealed it with more epoxy. I did this for all the transom holes. Good? Bad? Indifferent? Sounded like a good idea to me. The motor is mounted, the controls are hooked up, and the motor is running. I just have to paw through the wiring for the lights and add a few things for fishing, and I should be good. Turns out that the steering cable was froze, so I took the steering cables and wheel and switched those over as well as the controls. Hopefully I will be fishing soon!

 

[kfa4303]

Re: Drilling new transom holes?

You'll probably be ok with the dowels. The main thing is to keep the wood sealed so it won't get wet over time. Glad you got the controls hooked up too. Keep us posted.

 

[73Chrysler105]

Re: Drilling new transom holes?

that will work i would have put a coat of epoxy on the dowel before inserting it but hindsight is 20/20. it will be fine.