Screw or bolt gudgeons to transom

[mwybo]

Hi, finishing up a Pooduck skiff and wondering if I should screw or bolt the gudgeons to the transom. I would assume screws as it would be better to have the gudgeons rip out in the case of a collision rather than tear the transom off. There is a kick-up rudder so I am wondering if through bolting the gudgeons would just make a more secure attachment that would be less likely to eventually work loose.

Pictures are on another computer but will post the next time around.

Thanks.

[Dave Gray]

I am bolting mine on my Pooduck. You have to consider that screwing into plywood isn't a terribly secure proposition, and the fact that you have a kickup rudder means the threat of tearing up your transom is rather minimal. I didn't make a kickup rudder and am now contemplating the wisdom of that. I also used the pintle and gudgeon set as shown in the Shellback monograph which helps in removing the rudder (I hope).

[rbgarr]

If your transom tears out in a collision you've got more problems than gudgeons to worry about. Bolt 'em, I say. Epoxy the bolt holes first.

[Rick Starr]

Bolt.

[Cec]

Bolt. One trick that works is to bore a larger than needed hole. Fill it with epoxy and let it cure, then drill the hole needed for the bolts. The epoxy will seal the hole and be stronger than just a hole through the transom.

[mwybo]

OK, bolting it is

thanks