Drilling holes in aluminum bayrunner transom for transducer and bait pump

[rudedogsurfrat]

Hello I've got a bayrunner 15 and am installing a bait pump with a transom mount and a fish finder transducer. Should I use this removable mount from bass pro: Transducer Brackets for Outboard Motors
or drill into the transom. I'm really concerned about drilling through the transom. Anyone with an aluminum boat who's done it? Any tips?

Rudy

[dratsab]

I have a 22' aluminum Gregor and I drilled straight into the transom. Just make sure to seal the holes with 3M marine sealant when you screw into the transom.

[cwi.nathan]

Yes, 3m 5200 is the primo sealant, above or below the water line

[KruzCan]

Rudy,

I have a Gregor Baja that I drilled and sealed with 5200 and my boat is bone dry.

M.K.

[rudedogsurfrat]

inside the transom is it wood under the aluminum?
should I use ss wood screws?

[mongo75]

Yes use stainless screws for small things, stainless bolts and lock nuts for heavier items

[rudedogsurfrat]

The transom is over 2" thick so I probably want to use screws and not drill a hole all the way through. Anyone know what's inside of the transom?
should I use sheet metal or wood screws?
Thanks

Rudy

[tonsher90]

Dude if you don,t know what kinda screws or how big or what metal maybe you shouldn't own a boat. It ain't rocket science

[Duffy]

Use a squirt bottle of kerosene for whatever drilling tool you employ: Acts like a release agent to keep the aluminum from welding itself to the tool and making a nasty looking hole. Just have plenty of ventilation.

Mac.

[rudedogsurfrat]

Originally Posted by tonsher90

Dude if you don,t know what kinda screws or how big or what metal maybe you shouldn't own a boat. It ain't rocket science

them are big words coming from a "gas supervisor" ha ha ha

[sickcat]

Consider bolting a piece of starboard where you want to mount your pump and transducer. That way you don't have to drill more holes to make adjustments or when the time comes to change things. !/2" startboard is fine and then you can screw things into that. Make sure the piece is large enough to give adaquite space between the pump mount and the transducer. If it is a Kodiak tramsom mount it can cause some turbulence and you don't want to screw up the transducer. Personally I would put them on oppisite sides of the transom.

[Gil Marlin]

Make sure you know exactly where to mount both items so they are under the water and out of the white water the motor creates. The instructions should tell you how to do this. There's a full piece of wood in the transom that gives it it's strength, pilot drill your holes and use pan head sheet metal screws, 1/2 to 3/4 in. deep will work. You can apply blue tape to the area you will be working on and lay out everything in pencil first...