HELP!! Holes in transom

[kylant]

I need some advise, HELP, please.
Somehow my starboard side NSS actuator cover got ripped off and now there are 2 holes in the transom. Both holes are from screws that hold the cover on. There are steady streams of water coming in. Both holes are approximately 3/16" in diameter. One hole is through one of the actuator plates and the other is just under the water line in the gelcoat. I small bit of gel coat was torn away as well.

see pic of one of the holes


this must have happened yesterday because I noticed the bilge pump was running when we got to the dock, but I didn't think much of it. I thought it was probably from a recent rain we had. My dock mate said he noticed the bilge running every couple of minutes last evening. I noticed the bilge running as soon as I got to the dock this morning.

I called my dealer, no cover in stock, and they will get me in ASAP for the repair. Of course the are busy and booked for a bit because of the holiday. They are also 2 hours away from me. But they said I could temporarily repair it.

Questions:

What can I use to temporarily plug the holes? I have JB water weld, and a marine water epoxy. One hole will have to be plugged from inside the bilge, and the other from the outside. I am going to have to pull the boat to do this. This is a challenge because we dock at a fairly remote lake with a single lane road; and it's tourist season.

Also, I have seen other posts of this happening, did anyone else experience holes in the transom??

Thanks for any advise and tips

[NautiqueJeff]

I have heard of one other instance of this, but I don't think they ended up with holes in the boat.

Maybe try some of this until it can be repaired properly:

https://www.jbweld.com/product/waterweld-epoxy-putty

[mulde35d]

Since it is a bolt hole I would think the best temporary solution would be inserting a new bolt with some type of wet sealant under the head (maybe even simple caulk). You may still get some leakage but not a steady stream and the hole wouldn't have any "permanent" changes before the repair. Just a thought

[kylant]

I have heard of one other instance of this, but I don't think they ended up with holes in the boat.

Maybe try some of this until it can be repaired properly:

https://www.jbweld.com/product/waterweld-epoxy-putty

That is exactly one of the products I have. I am pulling the boat this am and will bring it home to have a look.
The weather has gotten cold for the next couple of days, so we weren't planning on going out anyway. I will be calling the dealer first thing in the am

[ffmedic74]

I'd try 3m 5200 caulk. Stays flexible so you can remove the product and reinstall your tab cover.

[shag]

I'd try 3m 5200 caulk. Stays flexible so you can remove the product and reinstall your tab cover.

Isn't 4200 the one that can be removed? I thought 5200 was pretty much permanent

[ffmedic74]

You're right... 4200 is what I'd use

[kylant]

i was reading about 5200 and 4200. 5200 looks to be permanent.

just pulled the boat from the water. here are some pics. it looks like there is 4 holes. I can confirm 2 were leaking, but I don't know about the other 2

[core-rider]

3M 4200 and some appropriate sized screws will temporarily seal the holes. For the hole missing some gelcoat apply the 4200 over the fiberglass to seal it so it won't soak up water. Allow it all to cure for the recommended time and you should be good to go until it can be repaired correctly.

[bturner]

I have heard of one other instance of this, but I don't think they ended up with holes in the boat.

Maybe try some of this until it can be repaired properly:

https://www.jbweld.com/product/waterweld-epoxy-putty

I carry this putty in my tool kit as a standard item. It works great and will even setup under water. It's easily drilled or tapped and won't leave a silicone residue to deal with if you end up needing to do gel coat work. The other methods would work as well but if this is going to be a temporary fix the putty would be my choice as it'll be an easy repair to work when you do the permeate fix later.

[Nautiquehunter]

KISS just put a piece of duct tape over the hole.