Need Help

[guisertj]

1990 Stratos 285.
The end of last season noticed that I had what looked like a rust stain coming down from the back left U bolt that straps the boat down.
Looks as if the hardware is rusting and deteriorating. Was thinking of just putting some sealant around the bolt, but probably need to replace. Was going to get the one out that is in there and put a new one on and seal around it. Pulled the fuel tank out on that side and can barely get my hand back there. There is foam around the bolt and is very tough to get to, plus all of the threads and the nuts are covered in foam. Has anyone ran into this and what are my options. Isn't any moisture present when I am feeling around in there. Any advice please!!

[BASSCAT7]

I would check again for moisture in the transom. There is a good chance that what you see is not rust but moisture oozing out of the transom thru the bolt holes.

If it is the original transom on a 21 year old boat, and you think you have rusty bolts thru the transom, there is a real good chance that there are some soft spots in the wood near the bolts.

When the plywood used in the transom start to rot, the moisture that oozes out looks like dark rust color. You won't feel any moisture because there is a fiberglass skin encapsualting the plywood transom inside.

[guisertj]

The transom is very solid. No flex. How do I go about fixing this problem?

[BASSCAT7]

There's no easy way to get to them. You have to get the foam out of the way, cut it out so you can get a socket on the nut.
Will not hurt anything to take the foam out.

[guisertj]

any idea what sized socket they are?

[guisertj]

Here is a thought, can I cut off the bend in the u bolt. There should be nothing else holding the bolt on. Then I could tap on the outside pieces and it should fall in. Right?

[guisertj]

Nevermind, that won't work. Guess I will be cutting out some foam to get to the bolt.