SS screws, Al screws, Rivets, Silicon, or 3M 5200 to seal aluminium transom holes??

[Jester5000]

Hi all,

I was in the process of installing my new transducer and thought I'd use one of the many existing screws the previous owner had used to plug holes in the transom.
After unscrewing one of the screws, water started streaming out! I unscrewed a few more, and more water trickled out.
So, I'm assuming becuase of the rust on the screws and the water trapped in the transom, the screws were leaking. My question therefore is, what is the best way to seal these holes as they will be sitting under water for most of the season?
I read all of the existing posts and most suggest 5200 or stainless steel screws, coated with 5200.
Now my other question is, should I take out all the other screws, and seal them as well?
I have a tube of Permatex silicone that advertises it's waterproof etc. Would that be acceptable instead of 5200??

Thanks for any advice.

 

[JASinIL2006]

Fiberglass boat with wood-cored transom? If so, I'd be more worried about that much water in the transom and the possibility of rot. I think my first concern would be evaluation the integrity of the transom and other structure back there.

For sealing holes below the water line, 5200 is a good bet, either by itself or with screws filling the holes. You can also use a marine epoxy (MarineTex or PC-11), but I don't know how that will hold in wet wood.

I'd really be worried about all that water coming out first.

 

[theoldwizard1]

SS screws with 5200 are pretty good, but nothing will hold in waterlogged wood.

 

[Jester5000]

Thanks. I should have mentioned, the hull is aluminium. The boat is a Legend Xterminator 169, the GenX series. What should I do about the water in there? I tried blowing compressed air in there and it seemed to drive the water out through the other holes. I really don't want to rip apart the transom, and I doubt a shop vac will draw it out.

 

[SigSaurP229]

That's easy, drain all the water out. You can do one of two things JB weld a patch of aluminum to the side of the hull or if you can't get to it, Use Closed End Blind Rivets with a little dab of 3m 5200 no sweat done in 20 minutes.

 

[Jester5000]

Ok, I get the patching part, but how the heck do you drain the water out?? The holes don't seem to go through to the bilge, only into the transom. I'm assuming there is a wood core? He screw holes are the only holes.

 

[theoldwizard1]

Thanks. I should have mentioned, the hull is aluminium. The boat is a Legend Xterminator 169, the GenX series. What should I do about the water in there? I tried blowing compressed air in there and it seemed to drive the water out through the other holes. I really don't want to rip apart the transom, and I doubt a shop vac will draw it out.

Sorry, that is the best solution ! Anything else is a bandaid.