Gimbal bolts loose (lower)

[karayj]

I have been taking in water more and more each time i go out i have notice the the bolt s near the drain plug are very loose i and happy to finaly find out why water is coming in and where now how do i tighten the bolts it has a porclen type cap on the outside of the gimbal do i pop the cap off cause i tried that and it seems like im going to break it or do i tighten the bolt from inside the boat ????

 

[Walter]

Re: Gimbal bolts loose (lower)

Make, model, year??

 

[karayj]

Re: Gimbal bolts loose (lower)

1986 alpha 1

 

[karayj]

Re: Gimbal bolts loose (lower)

its a 1986 sea sprite 4.3 its the bolt that hold the gimbal bottom bolt

 

[Trent]

Re: Gimbal bolts loose (lower)

Sounds like you may have a major problem. Unscrew the anode (the cap looking thing) and the end of the bolt is their. This bolt will most likely break due to corrosion and is a 30.00 bolt. You can replace it with stainless steel bolt if you like. <br /><br />Have you run this boat aground? Check your transom for rot from inside the boat at the transom plate.

 

[karayj]

Re: Gimbal bolts loose (lower)

i can see the bolt it looks great no rot so i will unscrew in and tighten it from the out sid ei thinks its just loose casue its been getting worse and the metal bolt looks new thansk i will post a follow up later

 

[Trent]

Re: Gimbal bolts loose (lower)

Those bolts normally corrode where they go thru the transom. You cant see the corrosion til the bolts breaks... <br /><br />Those nuts are self locking and dont normally get loose.

 

[karayj]

Re: Gimbal bolts loose (lower)

OHH joy the how come when i pull on the anode the bolt does not come out ??? and if i pull it out for inside hte boat and outside can i replace it with a regular bolt if so whats the big deal???

 

[karayj]

Re: Gimbal bolts loose (lower)

again your saying that the bolt is rotted out so ican replacxe it with a bolt from sears and it should pry out inside and outside the boat ???

 

[Trent]

Re: Gimbal bolts loose (lower)

Im saying it could VERY well be bad. Try to tighten it. And if it does break. Replace with a stainless steel one from the hardware store. (Carriage bolt)<br /><br />You will have to tap it out from the inside if you want to take it out; Unless it breaks. Then you will have to tap it out from both sides.<br /><br />Look at the transom wood inside the boat around where the bolts come thru for rot.

 

[karayj]

Re: Gimbal bolts loose (lower)

thanka for all your help to everyone you have all been great the bolt is fine it was just loose along with another one above I tighten both of them took it to the boat ramp and NO MORE LEAK!!!!