Author Topic: U bolts at stern  (Read 1495 times)

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Offline Carlcvx20

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U bolts at stern
« on: January 24, 2023, 09:45:08 AM »
Hi everyone. First time posting here, hopefully not my last.

I have a 1978 CVX20 Sprint. The U-bolts (tow eyes) at the stern have come loose. As you likely know, they are not easily accessible because of the way the stern is shaped.

Is there any way to tighten up these u-bolts with relative ease? I would like to think there's a good way to do so that doesn't involve separating the cap from the hull but i'm not seeing it.

Any insight is appreciated.

Cheers.

Offline Hyperacme

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Re: U bolts at stern
« Reply #1 on: January 24, 2023, 10:12:54 AM »
Welcome to the forum Carlcvx20 !
I don't have an answer to your question .. but there's a guy on the CGOA that has a CVX20 Sprint and might know ..
http://www.classicglastron.com/phpbb/index.php

His user name is ..   "  CharlieN  " on CGOA forum.

Offline Carlcvx20

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Re: U bolts at stern
« Reply #2 on: January 24, 2023, 10:58:56 AM »
Thanks, i'll look into it.

Offline Plugcheck

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Re: U bolts at stern
« Reply #3 on: January 24, 2023, 12:36:46 PM »
Not certain on a Sprint, but have had to tighten these before on other boats, I used a 3' long extension(3/8") with deep socket.   I'm thinking on a Sprint you may have to pull the back seat?
Michael
1979 CVZ-18 388 CI Vortec Mouse
1980 CVX-16SS 140 Mercruiser
1979 CVX-16 Johnson 175
2002 Bennington 2275CC 90 Mercury
1985 Intimidator project
1989 Lowe 200 Redneck fishin Toon
2001 Godfrey Sweetwater pontoon 115 Rude

Offline Fatlenny

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Re: U bolts at stern
« Reply #4 on: January 24, 2023, 04:16:12 PM »
I hate to say it but if they are loose, I would believe it is a sign of rot. I would look into the issue further.

Offline natewg60101

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Re: U bolts at stern
« Reply #5 on: January 25, 2023, 02:44:55 AM »
Mine were loose on a cvx17. I could have technically reached the inside nuts with the correct wrench and body position, but I worked around it for the time being. You can of course tighten the outside bolts down as it sits, but the downside is that you will be making the u bolt reach out slightly longer and put more side to side torque on the hull. What I did instead was took some larger sized aluminum washers, cut a slit in them, and bent them apart so I could put them under the nuts on the outside. Then I bent them back together with the slit facing down and out of sight, and tightened the outside nuts from there. That sort of gave the u bolts a bit more strength and compensated for making them stick out further.

Offline Carlcvx20

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Re: U bolts at stern
« Reply #6 on: January 25, 2023, 11:58:56 AM »
Thanks to all for the suggestions and comments.

I had considered removal of the bench seat as a requirement if i'm going to access these bolts from under the rear deck. They became loose after i started using ratchet tie-downs for securing the boat to the trailer. I hope rot is not the reason but we'll see.

Thanks to Plugcheck for suggesting a 3 ft extension and 3/8 deep socket. Knowing the socket size is half the battle.

Cheers everyone.
« Last Edit: January 25, 2023, 12:00:29 PM by Carlcvx20 »

Offline Plugcheck

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Re: U bolts at stern
« Reply #7 on: January 25, 2023, 12:15:07 PM »
What I meant was 3/8 drive extension, not 3/8 socket.   I have an assortment of long extensions for transmission work.   If I were to guess, I probably say  9/16 or 5/8" sockets  would fit the nuts.
Michael
1979 CVZ-18 388 CI Vortec Mouse
1980 CVX-16SS 140 Mercruiser
1979 CVX-16 Johnson 175
2002 Bennington 2275CC 90 Mercury
1985 Intimidator project
1989 Lowe 200 Redneck fishin Toon
2001 Godfrey Sweetwater pontoon 115 Rude

Offline Hyperacme

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Re: U bolts at stern
« Reply #8 on: January 25, 2023, 02:16:30 PM »
45 year old wood in transom .. Unless your very lucky .. is most likely bad in spots.

Offline carlsoncvx18

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Re: U bolts at stern
« Reply #9 on: January 25, 2023, 06:55:20 PM »
The ones on my intimidator went thru a piece of 3/4 plywood on the inside. The block was approx 3?x4? .   You might have to remove some foam back in that area to access them. At least on mine that area was filled with foam.
1987 CVX18.     1968 Glastron alpha sail boat
1977 GT150
1986 CV23
1984 Intimiadator
1981 CV27
1969 V-180 fundeck

Offline nes-cv23

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Re: U bolts at stern
« Reply #10 on: January 26, 2023, 06:18:45 AM »
Check that wood out?. If they are loose it?s probably because the wood is going.   Good luck.
84 ssv-151, 76 cvx-16 ss, 77cvx-20 jet, 90 CSS-19, 78 cv-23, 77 gt-150, 2-78 cvx-16, 79cvx-16, 79 cvz-18,  73 cv-16, 74 cv-18, 89 219 Futura, 76 gt-150 jet, 79 cv-23, 02 Gx-225,  1980 intimidator = done!.. 79 hvp175   Now  done?

Offline Plugcheck

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Re: U bolts at stern
« Reply #11 on: January 26, 2023, 09:55:39 AM »
Just assuming the CVX-20 bottom hull half is the same on Timi's, Sprints, and Ski Machines? At least as far as tie down points?     Like Jeff stated, those tie down u- bolts go through a separate block of plywood.   During my Timi resto, those were the only two pieces of wood that weren't rotted.    Its a sinking feeling to find rot in your boat, but as others have stated, you should check it.
Michael
1979 CVZ-18 388 CI Vortec Mouse
1980 CVX-16SS 140 Mercruiser
1979 CVX-16 Johnson 175
2002 Bennington 2275CC 90 Mercury
1985 Intimidator project
1989 Lowe 200 Redneck fishin Toon
2001 Godfrey Sweetwater pontoon 115 Rude

Offline Carlcvx20

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Re: U bolts at stern
« Reply #12 on: January 27, 2023, 07:52:11 AM »
Thanks again, all. Your advice about the rot is sound.

I bought the boat 5 years ago from the second owner. Everything was original, even the outboard. I have plans to have the floor and transom rebuilt in the next couple of years. But i have to admit, if there are bad spot i haven't found them, so i don't think i'm at a critical point and i check annually.

Cheers.