Transom Bolt Leak on Lowe 1467 WT

[josephsimpson]

I am new to the forum so I am sorry if this belongs in another topic area. I have a 2010 1467 WT Lowe boat that I bought last year uesed. It has a leak and I feel it is likely one of the transom bolts but I can't confirm or fix since it is one of the bolts located behind the port side bench. Has anyone dealt with this issue before? My thought is, since the bench is rivited to the hull etc, I will have to put in an inspection hatch pull the floatation foam out to get to the nuts on the bolts and back the problem out out to put in some 3M sealant. Looking for any tips or thoughts on how best to install the hatch and or access the bolts. Why they designed it this way beats me. Those bolts are bound to leak at some point since about six or eight are right at and oftern below the water line. Link below to the boat and you can see the bench I am talking about up agains the transom.
https://www.loweboats.com/2013/utility-boats/v1467wt/

 

[DearJon]

I think installing a hatch in that corner bench is a great little project. Not just to reach the bolts you mentioned, but to add some extra storage space. Check out Tempress products for the hatch of your choice. Hatches come with a template that will allow you to cut the proper size opening. Once the metal is cut with a jigsaw, clear out enough foam to satisfy your storage requirements. Then, position the hatch in the opening. Mark each screw hole, remove the hatch and predrill the holes. Use 3M sealant around the perimeter of the hole you cut, drop the hatch in place and secure with SS screws. I routinely stand on the hatch I installed, so yours will still serve as a seat.

 

[DearJon]

Check out page three of my thread to see the hatch I installed. It works great. The link is below.
https://www.tinboats.net/forum/viewtopic.php?f=21&t=26483

 

[josephsimpson]

Check out page three of my thread to see the hatch I installed. It works great. The link is below.
https://www.tinboats.net/forum/viewtopic.php?f=21&t=26483

Ok, I was thinking a 6 inch round hatch on the side of the bench but you have given me a lot of things to think about here. Thanks for the ideas you have given me. Since I would be going through the top instead of the side, now that you planted the bug, to put the rectangle hatch in with the snap in compartment on the top... (found that hatch option at the site you told me about) The aluminum is fairly thick on the benches so I doubt there are any additional structural bracing under the seat. Only reason I ask is there are four screws in the top of the benches which look really out of place and may have been there for optional equipement from the manufacturer. It is possible they are there for no reason at all since they engineers boxed in the transom bolts :LOL2:

 

[DearJon]

Is it possible that the four screws are there in case customers want to mount a pedestal for a swivel seat? How far apart are the screws? I'd check the spacing of the screws with a standard pedestal bracket to see if they line up.

 

[lckstckn2smknbrls]

You could put a sealant on the bolt on the outside of the boat.

 

[josephsimpson]

Just in case someone has the same issue. It took some time but I figured out the water was coming in from the corner where the transom meets the side. Both sides of a small gap that is somewhat hidden under the lip of the L shaped aluminum. Under the right conditions the spray hits the L and eventually comes out behind the seat against the transom. I guess they left those for ventilation for moisture to get out. Drove me nuts trying to figure out where the leak was and it appeared to be from the bolts but like air water will take the path of least resistance. You have to bend and look up to find the holes by the top of the transom.

 

[warefishin]

I am not familiar with that actual setup but it sounds like if there was a leak it may be in contact with some of the flotation foam, be sure to check it out and clean out any of the wetstuff. it could lead to some corrosion.