Question about garboard plug

[Donzi GT250]

I recently had the bottom on my 1990 Donzi GT250 painted. The garboard fitting was also painted. So today when installing the plug into the garboard fitting I noticed small amount of bottom paint on the edge of the garboard fitting flaking off.
I didn't really torque the plug to extreme but made it nice and tight.
I couldn't see the garboard fitting moving but I assume the flaking paint was due to a small amount of flex in the garboard fitting and the fiberglass. I realize the garboard fitting in held on by three screws and they seemed tight also.
Is it reasonable to expect a little bit of flex in the garboard fitting and fiberglass when tightening the plug ? Enough so that the bottom paint would flake in one spot like mine did.
Like I said before I really couldn't see any movement of the fitting when torqueing and also the transom is in good condition as I just had it checked.
Thanks in advance for any replies.

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: Question about garboard plug

it should not flex but it can be difficult to get paint to stick at that juncture since it is always a little wet. Also, most garboard plugs don't "hit bottom." I suspect it isn't moving. But you can always mark it and try tightening and see if it flexes.

If, however, the whole fitting is moving, it is not a good sign, but not the end of the world, either.

 

[Fireman431]

Re: Question about garboard plug

Chances are the paint is flaking off at that point simply due to a lack of proper prep work at the point where the metal of the garboard meets the fiberglass hull. No problems to worry about as long as the plug housing is secure.