1986 F-80 AND TIEDOWN EYES

[wannagofishin]

I have a 1986 Skeeter F-80 Strada and the tiedown eyes have come loose from the transom. They haven't come out, just pulled out a little. I looked and felt around the inside of the transom and cannot find the other end of the U-bolts.

The previous owner told me it happened last year when he had it up for the winter and left the straps on. The transom seems solid but I don't want to run it because water will get in around the U-bolts.

Does anyone know how these were installed and a good way to correct the problem? If you look at the photo closely, you can see where it looks like there was another set of U-bolts originally, but I don't know why they would have been removed, or if they have been removed.



Thanks,

Dan

[fishin couillon]

I had the same boat a year ago. My problem was that the transom was rotting. My bolt didn't stick out that far. Either the nut backed off some or it got "pulled" into the transom from being over tightened. They are back there, you may just need to stick your head way up in there to see them. If the nuts have been "pulled" into the back. you may have to put some type of renforcment to keep it from getting worse. Also when doing them, put some silicone in and around so that the water doesnt get in to the transom. Had to do that with the bow hook.

[wannagofishin]

What I'm saying is there is no nut on the back. If you look where it is, you'll see it's above the trough or well (not sure what it's called) in the back. It doesn't go completely through the transom. It's too high to go through to the inside. You can see it's above the drain hole.

Dan

[fishin couillon]

I see now. Is the other side at the same height? From looking at the pic, it may have been moved. Mine was actually below the splashwell through the transom with nuts on the back side. I'm at a lost of words on what to tell you. I just don't see how someone would install them like that and not expect them to come out especially when tighting them down at the end of the day. The only thing i can think of is if was orginally below that, puch the holes back out and do it correctly. You should be able to look inside just below the splashwell and see it there are two holes or what were holes. If there is, i would say they have been moved. Then take some wooden dowels the same size as the hole, cut to length, fill hole with silicone and insert dowel into hole and let dry.

[Skeet'r89]

I would pretty well bet that your transom is rotten in that area. The nuts on those bolts are covered by the fiberglass skin inside. The wood in that area is rotten and will likely be that way in other areas before long. Look at the pics of my boat on the restoration page.

[fishin couillon]

wannagofishing, did you figure out what the deal was with your tie down u bolts?

[wannagofishin]

No, not yet. I'd like to find a photo of another F-80 of the same year and see where the eyes are on it. The transom sounds solid when tapped with a rubber mallet so not sure there is rot. It seems to me the eyes were installed only part way into the transom and either glued or epoxied in.

We're expecting some snow here this weekend and I won't be able to look any closer for a while.

Dan

[fishin couillon]

If i get down to the brother-in-laws house anytime soon, I'll take some pictures of my old boat and post them up so you can see whats going on. Or hopefully some one on here will post for before i can get some pics. Unlike you with snow, i have rain to deal with.

[wannagofishin]

Yup. Your rain will be our snow. We only get sizable amounts when it come up from the south. From the west, it has to be a really big storm before we get any. It's funny, but Baltimore can get a foot of snow, but by the time it crosses the Chesapeake Bay, we might get 3-4". I'd appreciate the photos, just to see if my boat is different, meaning someone moved the eyes.

Thanks,
Dan

[HammysSkeeter]

Hi,
I have the same boat. One of my eyes is a bit loose. Did you find a solution?

Thanks