Square head screws not securing properly

[fmstuart]

One of the command bridge legs on my Cutwater CB32 has a square head screw that seems to be stripped. How can I fix such a problem? I turn the screw, but it never grips enough to tighten. I have same issue on the swim platform ladder door.

 

[Pilotnavigator]

Remove the screw, enlarge the hole with a drill bit a few sizes larger and fill the hole with thickened west system epoxy and re drill the hole the next day to the correct size for the screw. All will be back to normal and stronger than the original.

 

[knotflying]

Or, try using a larger screw than the one in there now.

 

[Pilotnavigator]

Reason to strengthen the area and fill with epoxy... if the deck is cored you want to prevent water getting to core, thus make the hole big and drill pilot hole through the epoxy. Also the glass area around the hole may be stressed and the bigger screw may pull out too. Always best to put the boat back to as good a condition as possible. Tests show that the enlarged area is stronger that the original. If you do not get the west system free news letter order it on line, it is a wealth of information for boat builders and repair details.
Also... those square screws are called Robertson screws. Invented in a small town of Milton Ontario Canada many years ago.
Yes fixing holes with epoxy seems like over kill but if you buy a can of epoxy and hardener and a can of filler they will last you many years.

 

[fmstuart]

Pilotnavigator, what are the products from West Marine that you recommend for this project?


Forrest Stuart
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[SgtAlf]

I have used the larger hole/epoxy method on several boats. If I can access the back of the hole I use masking tape to hold the epoxy. On a vertical hole I tape both sides and fill from the top using a 2 part syringe type with the mixing tube. Always use a quality epoxy. I use West System and Loctite heavy duty 2 part epoxy.

 

[Pilotnavigator]

I use west system 105 and 205 with 406 filler. Get the pumps too. Thicken to the peanut butter like thickness.

 

[fmstuart]

Thanks, all!


Forrest Stuart
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[daveme]

Or use 4200


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[vertigo]

Reason to strengthen the area and fill with epoxy... if the deck is cored you want to prevent water getting to core, thus make the hole big and drill pilot hole through the epoxy. Also the glass area around the hole may be stressed and the bigger screw may pull out too. Always best to put the boat back to as good a condition as possible. Tests show that the enlarged area is stronger that the original. If you do not get the west system free news letter order it on line, it is a wealth of information for boat builders and repair details.
Also... those square screws are called Robertson screws. Invented in a small town of Milton Ontario Canada many years ago.
Yes fixing holes with epoxy seems like over kill but if you buy a can of epoxy and hardener and a can of filler they will last you many years.

That is first-rate advice, right there!

Do it right the first time!