Snapped Transom Zinc mount

[Greg Brophy]

I was replacing the Zinc's on my 2005 420 sundancer and one of the bolts on the transom zinc snapped flush with the transom. I thought OMG now I have to drill it out and get an ez-out. Got the equipment and started drilling and about 1/4" deep in disappears. Yep gone. Turns out it is a bolt that just passes through the transom and easily replaced.

 

[JVM225]

I was replacing the Zinc's on my 2005 420 sundancer and one of the bolts on the transom zinc snapped flush with the transom. I thought OMG now I have to drill it out and get an ez-out. Got the equipment and started drilling and about 1/4" deep in disappears. Yep gone. Turns out it is a bolt that just passes through the transom and easily replaced.

Yikes! That had to be scary for a minute or two.

 

[Blueone]

I always use PB Blaster and let it soak for a while...I am in fresh water though...might be different in salt water if you don't change it each year

 

[Snapon24]

Mine snapped last year. They were bronze bolts through the transom. I replaced them with 316 stainless bolts of the same length since finding replacement bronze bolts that long seemed impossible. The SS works fine and is stronger.

 

[Greg Brophy]

Yes I had a hard time finding a long thread but went to bolts.com and got a threaded rod and just put a double nut on the inside and then one on the outside with washers of course and then the zinc and nut.

 

[Lazy Daze]

Ha! I'm laughing because I can appreciate the emotional swing. Crap! Oh, wait a minute... cool!

SnapOn - when you have the opportunity (sooner than later), replace those SS bolts with bronze. We are dealing with "below the waterline". In this case, bronze is the superior choice. SS can corrode underwater. This is why you never see SS thru-hulls below the waterline - they are specifically not allowed. Bronze is MUCH more durable than SS.

 

[JVM225]

Mine snapped last year. They were bronze bolts through the transom. I replaced them with 316 stainless bolts of the same length since finding replacement bronze bolts that long seemed impossible. The SS works fine and is stronger.

Defender may have the bronze bolts. If not, MarineMate in Lindenhurst can usually get most anything for you in a day or two.
They’re near my dock and my go to place. The owner and a couple of the guys there are real knowledgeable too.

 

[Snapon24]

Defender may have the bronze bolts. If not, MarineMate in Lindenhurst can usually get most anything for you in a day or two.
They’re near my dock and my go to place. The owner and a couple of the guys there are real knowledgeable too.

I will check them out. I also just found a place online boltdepot.com has them. Thanks

 

[JVM225]

I will check them out. I also just found a place online boltdepot.com has them. Thanks

What size were yours?
I’ve been back in the water for a few weeks now, but it may be smart to pick up an extra set and keep them on standby for the next time.
Mine were looking a little scary when I changed that zinc this year. It was a Sunday when I painted the bottom and changed the zincs and I just wanted to get it done.
I was able to change that zinc without either of those 18 year old bolts snapping, but I was sweating it when I was backing off the nuts.
I cleaned up the threads really well before installing the new zinc, but always better safe than sorry.

 

[Snapon24]

What size were yours?
I’ve been back in the water for a few weeks now, but it may be smart to pick up an extra set and keep them on standby for the next time.
Mine were looking a little scary when I changed that zinc this year. It was a Sunday when I painted the bottom and changed the zincs and I just wanted to get it done.
I was able to change that zinc without either of those 18 year old bolts snapping, but I was sweating it when I was backing off the nuts.
I cleaned up the threads really well before installing the new zinc, but always better safe than sorry.

Mine were 3/8"-16 and 5" long

 

[villain style]

Be careful when installing your Zinc and tightening nut. You do not want to over tighten that nut and crush your Transom..