Trim Tab screws ...3 striped out ....advice
 

I have a 29 PQ the last weekend i accidentally left one of the trims tabs down,,, when the forklift grabbed it kinda tore out some of the screws.

I noticed this after it was taking our some water and the bilge was running.. so i took it out and noticed the problem with the trim tab.

I have so far took the starboard side tab off and straightened it out in the vise and got new stainless screws. Problem is 3 of the 5 are striped out ?

I got new #14 x 1.5 inch screws and 3 will not grab really well ..do i go with 2" screws ? . i also got a tube of 4200.

question is what do i do to fix this ....

Can the Powerful network of OSO help me out ?

Thanks,
Steve

I think you are going to have to patch with dowels and resin, and re-drill. I would look up "glassdave" in the fiberglass/gel forum.

Where were you taking on water?

Yes we were taking on some water ....

Where was the water coming in exactly? Was the entire transom plate lifted away the transom?
Was it leaking water around the holes for the hydraulic lines; or down where the tab mounts to the lower edge of the hull?

Do you have Bennett Trim Tabs? Are there one row of screws that hold the tab on?
If so, Bennett has a stronger hull plate that has two rows of screws, and you could upgrade to this easily.
If you have Bennett Trim Tabs, give them a call. They are extremely helpful in customers service.

I am concerned that if you don't to this right, one bad landing off a surprise Lake Michigan swell; and you are going to be right back where you started--or worse.

yes i have a photo of the issue ... i just can't get it to load on here somehow. ?

They have 2 cylinders and have 2 rows of screws 5 each ?

Your tabs are most likely Insta-Trim Boat Leveler....no matter what brand, get it fixed right! Even if the tab re-attaches okay you'll want to make sure you don't have water seeping into the transom and creating rot...not to mention what Sydwayz stated.

http://www.insta-trim.com/trim-tab-s...inder-blk.html

BOOM, that is it exactly !