Loose Bolts and Nuts on a Fairly New Boat

[tnbassin]

I learned a lesson. On my last fishing trip a few days ago, my 10' Talon got stuck and rotated to the side on me. I got it unstuck. Today, I got out my torque wrench and checked all the bolts and nuts on the Talons. They were all loose on both Talons and the brackets. This boat is a RT188C and less than 10 months old. I fixed the Talons and then checked the bolts and nuts that hold the jackplate to the boat and the motor to the jackplate. They were also ALL loose. I torqued them down and will periodical check them like I should. It just never occurred to me that a new boat would have it's bolts and nuts all loosened so quick. Lesson learned. I am curious whether they really loosen that quick or did the dealer not get them torqued correctly?

Everyone else better check yours too. Just sayin

[Transom]

If they did not use locknuts or lock washers I would not doubt that would happen over time. Always a good idea to use the weaker loctite assembling semipermanent equipment.

[tnbassin]

They used locknuts but not any lock washers. I also didn't see any trace of loctite.

[gatorglenn]

Do yours self a favor. And get some lock washers to. I switched to this years ago. And when I check them at the end of the season. I never find one out of torque. That's on the jackplates.

[jml]

I just put 4 lock washers on my winch post. My boat kept moving back on my trailer since new. Last time out, I moved it back.

[Jaydbee]

Whenever I bring this up I get weird looks at the least or people just think I'm being foolish on the other extreme, but here it goes and you can look it up online. There are many physics, engineering, and bolt fastening sites that prove it. Split lockwashers, the kind we normally use, DO NOT work. It is a myth. We add lockwashers because we've always added lockwashers. That's the only reason.

NASA even disallowed their use during the Apollo space program. They actually make the situation worse. Here's a link to a new type of lockwasher test that proves it for you skeptics. Just one of many out there.

[tcesni]

Are lock washers easily found at the big box stores or do you have to buy at Fastenal or similar?

[oldgoat188]

Very interesting video

[jml]

Are lock washers easily found at the big box stores or do you have to buy at Fastenal or similar?

Yes

[Marshfly]

Are lock washers easily found at the big box stores or do you have to buy at Fastenal or similar?

The one's at the box stores are junk stainless. You want 316 for your application. Fastenal will make you buy them 100 at a time. Buy them from Mcmaster Carr online.

Also, engine mounting bolts are torqued much lower than you'd expect. 40foot pounds is about it. They should stay torqued however. I wonder if you have course thread bolts and not fine thread.

[jrbdad]

When you say loose bolts. Are you checking with a torque wrench or just yanking on them?

[TritonTRXV8]

Nyloc nuts are the only way to go. I never use lock washers anymore. Its cleaner faster and less hardware to deal with. I have never seen a nyloc washer back off. If you want to be extra sure add some blue loctite on them. Another thing. Be careful when you tighten or check motor mounting bolts through the transom that you dont turn the bolt shank and break the silicone seal or it will leak.

[TritonTRXV8]

The one's at the box stores are junk stainless. You want 316 for your application. Fastenal will make you buy them 100 at a time. Buy them from Mcmaster Carr online.

Also, engine mounting bolts are torqued much lower than you'd expect. 40foot pounds is about it. They should stay torqued however. I wonder if you have course thread bolts and not fine thread.

Not sure about other brands but 55 lbs/ft on mercury engines through the transom and 95 lbs/ft on the jack plate to engine side if one is used.

[Marshfly]

Not sure about other brands but 55 lbs/ft on mercury engines through the transom and 95 lbs/ft on the jack plate to engine side if one is used.

Yamaha is 40#. 55 is still a lot less than most people would think.

[Transom]

With a large ratchet or breaker bar 55 pounds does not even feel guduntight

[BLuRRnAWAY]

Anytime I acquire a new toy or vehicle I go over the entire boat. Including the trailer bunks, lugs, and any but or bolt. Especially if you're a tournament fisherman.

[njpaulc]

Nyloc nuts are the only way to go. I never use lock washers anymore. Its cleaner faster and less hardware to deal with. I have never seen a nyloc washer back off. If you want to be extra sure add some blue loctite on them. Another thing. Be careful when you tighten or check motor mounting bolts through the transom that you dont turn the bolt shank and break the silicone seal or it will leak.

Never would have given a second thought to tightening the bolts. Thanks

[Marshfly]

With a large ratchet or breaker bar 55 pounds does not even feel guduntight

Exactly why I mentioned it. Very easy to over tighten engine mounting bolts and cause transom damage.

[Jeff Hahn]

Whenever I bring this up I get weird looks at the least or people just think I'm being foolish on the other extreme, but here it goes and you can look it up online. There are many physics, engineering, and bolt fastening sites that prove it. Split lockwashers, the kind we normally use, DO NOT work. It is a myth. We add lockwashers because we've always added lockwashers. That's the only reason.

NASA even disallowed their use during the Apollo space program. They actually make the situation worse. Here's a link to a new type of lockwasher test that proves it for you skeptics. Just one of many out there.

Where can those locking washers be purchased?

[tnbassin]

You guys got me a bit worried. I used my torque wrench on all the bolts including the ones that tie the jack plate to the transom and also the motor to the jackplate. I hope I didn't turn the bolt enough to cause a leak. I didn't think of that when I was doing it. I torqued all the 1/2" bolts to 50lbs and the 3/8" bolts to 40lbs torque using my torque wrench. They were definitely all loose compared to what I torqued them to.