Frame-to-stringer fastener repair

[marsbar]

The carrage bolts used to attach the frames to the engine logs do not appear have been drilled properly. The image kind of shows that the head of the carrage bolt, and the bolt itself pass between the frames and floor. This doesn't seem to be a desirable situation to me. I am replacing all the framework and have an opportunity to redrill the carrage bolt holes through the center of each frame, then through the stringers. I would have to plug up the old holes in the stringers with dowels first.

Am I going overboard? Is this a necessary concern? Are there any other ideas?

Thanks in advance for your suggestions.

Mark
http://images.kodakgallery.com/photos1721/3/1/4/82/17/7/717820401303_0_ALB.jpg

http://images.kodakgallery.com/photos1721/3/1/4/84/48/7/748840401303_0_ALB.jpg

[pcford]

I certainly see your point but I don't think it is a much of a problem.

Certainly Chris boats are often are like that.

Replacing those bolts is a real pain. You have to have the bottom off.

I must confess to using lags where I've replace a frame/floor and the stringer is not deep.

[marsbar]

I have the entire bottom off and am replacing all the frames and floors. Now definately is the time to make any repairs/corrections. I just dont know if its worth the effort. Would be real easy just to redrill the new frames by passing a 1/4 drill up through the existing holes in the engine logs and drill new holes in the frames/floors. Only problem with that is I will end up in the same situation as I started...improper drilling. I really would like the bolt to pass through the center of the frames.

[Jay Greer]

An open hole in a structural timber is always a dirt catcher and a potential area for dry rot to get a start.
I ,personaly, would opt to fill the holes with a dowel made of the same material as the frame or stringer.
The best insurance against rot is to dip the dowels in either white or red lead prior to driving them.
JG