drilling hole below waterline

[Pachanga Boy]

so I'm thinking about installing some underwater LED's on my 88 Sundancer and it would require me to drill a 1/4" hole below the waterline to run the wire through. now I've read that the best method for doing this is to drill a larger hole (1/2"). fill with epoxy and then drill that to prevent any possiblity of water intrusion into the transom core. that said I'm concerned that being an 88 there will be a high moisture content in the core preventing a good bond with the epoxy. given the age would I be better off just drilling the 1/4" hole, and getting crazy with the 4200? just hate to drill a 1/2" hole to find a geyser pour out and then have the "now what" moment. Thanks

 

[copb8tx]

Wouldn't you want to know, regardless of the installation of lights, if there was water in your transom core? I would think it's better to catch it now than wait for a major failure.

 

[Pachanga Boy]

not really, ignorance is bliss haha. there are no signs of failure, and I didn't notice any flex when I was inspecting, but I'm sure there is a possiblity of some moisture, I mean it's almost 25 years old and lives in water so....

 

[copb8tx]

I'd do what my surveyor did and take a little hammer and tap all over the back of it. Tap both above and below the waterline. You'll hear a big difference if there's an issue. A friend had an issue around a hatch and it was quite obvious where the good and bad core was.

Whether you drill a 1/4" or 1/2" hole water will seep if it's there. Might as well do it the safest way and drill the 1/2 hole, epoxy, and re-drill. JMHO.

 

[Big Island Lifer]

If you're gonna go ahead and do it anyway start with the 1/4 inch hole. If it's dry switch to a 1/2" bit and drill again.


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[fwebster]

I wouldn't drill any unnecessary holes below the waterline............. period. Underwater lights don't add anything to the utility or operation of the boat and I don't think they are worth the risk of future problems and given that recoring a transom is a very expensive process. The added risk that isn't worth what you get from underwater lighting , so if your only option is to drill holes below the waterline, I would look for another form of amusement.

 

[dpmulvey]

I wouldn't drill any unnecessary holes below the waterline............. period. Underwater lights don't add anything to the utility or operation of the boat and I don't think they are worth the risk of future problems and given that recoring a transom is a very expensive process. The added risk that isn't worth what you get from underwater lighting , so if your only option is to drill holes below the waterline, I would look for another form of amusement.

+1

When I first learned what a "sea chest" was I looked at Saint Max and said to myself, "if only."

 

[DustinL]

I echo Fwebster's remark about drilling. But if you really want to do this If it were me I would get a moisture meter to check the transom first. Why not run the wires through where the trim tabs bolt through. Just an option but I would check with a moisture meter first before drilling anywhere on the transom. Just a thought.

 

[Bucit]

I have two big holes in my transom for the outdrives so I had no problems drilling 4 small 3/8" holes for my underwater lights. I drilled, squirted a lot of 5200 in and around the hole and then screwed the light to the transom. 5200 was used in the pre-drilled screw holes also. These holes can be repaired to like new for very little $$$$ so it's not a big deal (at least for me).

 

[SCORPIO]

I just don't see the facination with underwater lights. To me, they are akin to putting purple neon lights under your car and having them flash in sync with the sub woofer. All seems like so much wasted money to my senses.
I agree with Franks' comment on drilling unnecessary holes below the water line.