trim tabs

[striper56]

My port side trim tab pulled 4 screws thru the trim tab last year so I removed the tab flattened the damaged area then replaced it with larger screw with washer. Worked fine for a month. First trip this year the screws got pull out of the transom. What could be causing this?

[NoBones]

No wood for it to grab onto...
Time for transom replacement..

Take screws out and see if water comes out or wet wood...

Pretty much a safe bet the transom is wet.

[DonV]

Ken is correct!! Even though that part of the transom has a lot of glass it won't hold screws very good without wood.

[striper56]

The transom was replaced 7 or 8 year ago. Water soaked wood was my first thought. when I removed the trim tabs last year I ground out the screw holes and found the wood to be dry then filled and then covered with several layers of glass. the first time it happened the screws remained in the transom but the trim tab was hanging by the 4 outboard screws.
Should I remove that section of the transom and replace it with new wood and glass? Could I thru bolt the tab?

[hermco]

Might want to raise them a bit too, they should be at least 1/4" above the bottom.

[Entourage]

You sure when the transom was replaced whomever did it went down that far as to where those tabs are screwed in. Don't be shy to put a few more screws to hold that plate in, it wont hurt nothing.

[striper56]

I will check the distance above the bottom. would it be worth cutting a two inch hole in the transom where the screw holes are and glass in a wood dowel and glass it over. would that work.

[Mikem8560]

did the screws pull through the mounting holes in the tab? and remain in the transom? perhaps the screw heads were too small