Repairing old screw holes in aluminum boats

[FSH4EYZ]

does anyone know how to repair exsiting screw holes on a aluminum boat. Its a 1993 crestliner 160 tournament edition, I just replaced my fishfinder to a new one and have holes from my other one. please help.. thanks

[Hot Runr Guy]

Are we talking about transducer mounting holes in the transom? If so, get some stainless self-tapping screws that fit the old holes, and use a below-waterline sealant like 3M #4200 or #5200. The type of sealant is important, a lot of silicones are not to be used in submerged applications.
HRG

[antlers & eyes]

Billy Mayes "Mighty Putty" lol :howdy:

[Shellback]

Like Hot Runr Guy says, but before installing your new transducer, I would have used a transducer mounting board, so that any future changes wouldn't result in more holes in the transom.
Here's what I did. After I reinstalled the screws in the old holes, I placed a mounting board in the correct location, then marked where the screw heads touched the back of the board. I then drilled shallow holes, just deep enough for the board to lay flat on the transom. I then installed the board with a bead of 5200 around the perimeter of the board and at the mounting holes.

[twobearlake]

Shellback and HRG have it right on. Follow their advice and you will have no worries.

TB

[Terroreyes]

Bondo holds just fine in small holes in aluminum. Instead of putting screws in the old holes, I carefully pushed some bondo in the holes and wiped the area around it clean and flush to the surface, then put some touch-up paint over them. Came out beautiful. Even without a board, you really had to look to notice it.

[walfshmn]

Like Hot Runr Guy says, but before installing your new transducer, I would have used a transducer mounting board, so that any future changes wouldn't result in more holes in the transom.
Here's what I did. After I reinstalled the screws in the old holes, I placed a mounting board in the correct location, then marked where the screw heads touched the back of the board. I then drilled shallow holes, just deep enough for the board to lay flat on the transom. I then installed the board with a bead of 5200 around the perimeter of the board and at the mounting holes.
And make sure the new mounting board is long enough that when you put the new screws or bolts in they are ABOVE the water line.

[FSH4EYZ]

Thanks for all the good advice..