Re: swim ladder screws stripped out fiberglass
I had the same problem on the swing-over ladder on my swim platform. The platform was only about 4" thick (hollow) and no way to get inside it.<br /><br />I drilled the wallowed-out holes with progressively larger bits (to keep from chipping the gelcoat) until I got about 5/8 to 3/4" holes. I found a cardboard wrapping paper tube about 2" in diameter and cut it to the depth of the inside of the swim platform. I folded the tube so it would go into the drilled hole, and then using my fingers and various tools, pushed the sides of the tube back into shape - thus making a containment vessel within the hollow void of the platform. I then took a 1/4" stainless steel rod coupling and inserted a stainless bolt, cut to a length that when screwed 1/2 way into the rod coupling, and sitting in the bottom of the now contained hole, the top of the rod coupling was just below the top surface of the swim platform. After much adjusting, I got the perfect length. I then took the bolt out, put the largest washer I could get through the holes I drilled on it, and installed a jam-nut to keep the bolt where I wanted it in the rod coupling. I then took a 2" length of rod and after coating it with vaseline, inserted it into the other end of the rod coupling. Wiped the assembly down with alcohol (not the greased rod part), and inserted it into the hole so that the greased rod was sticking out. I coated the ladder mounting brackets with vaseline at this point, and set them aside. I mixed some 2-part white epoxy (my boat is white in this location) and put it into one of those big 60cc syringes - without a needle - and injected into the hole. Filled the entire space that was contained by the cardboard tube with the epoxy. Had to re-mix and inject SEVERAL times
Poke and tap to get as much air out as you can, and then set your pre-greased ladder bracket down over the exposed studs to insure alignment when the epoxy cures. After 24-48 hours you can remove the ladder bracket and finish the surface area so that it's smooth and level with the deck. The exposed rods can then be removed (Epoxy doesn't stick to vaseline), and you can install the ladder bracket with the correct length bolts.<br /><br />Be sure to use only stainless hardware, because this is a one-time repair. If the hardware rusts out... you ain't gonna be able to replace it. It was a royal pain in the butt to do this - but I could not see any other way since the area was totally inaccessable. Our ladder is used regularly as a diving point (don't ask me why) for a 300 pound female friend of ours. It has never moved. The boat usually does... but not the ladder brackets.
<br /><br />Hope this helps - and welcome to the board.
