i had a few posts before sayin i had water coming<br />in by the bilge. well i found it .the mounting<br />collar. the top is flat against the transom. but the bottom is around an 1/8 inch away. someone before me that owned the boat put silicon on it.<br />my question is iam afraid to tighten dowm the bottom bolts because the wood by the nut inside <br />the boat looks a little rotten,can i put a plate <br />behind the bolt ,and then tighten it up so its flat against the transom. or will a good grade silicon seal it so i can take a few more trips out on the lake to fish with my son.then for the winter i can replace the o ring. it does not look in bad shape at all. \ 
