Ski Boat Forum
Repairs and Maintenance => Boat Maintenance - American Skier => Topic started by: Ericelgin1 on September 11, 2010, 07:29:50 AM
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I have a 1984 18 foot skier, and when you pull a skier the pylon moves and creaks. I looked under the pylon and noticed that a bolt in the frame is missing and was wondering if any one knew what size it is? it is the bolt from the metal frame to the stringer on the spotters side. it seems usable but is driving me nuts.
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Back then I believe we used 5/16 x 2 1/2 stainless bolts w/ fender washers & nylok nuts on the back side. I have never heard of one of these breaking or coming loose before. I would be more suspect if the floor had been changed & someone forgot to put the bolt back in before covering up. If the pylon is tight to the alum frame, but you see movement between the forward/port side of the motor mount & stringer you need to correct it before it gets worse.
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Thank you, I will check to verify that the 4 nuts on the u bolts are tight. I also noticed that the bolt on the other Side was sticking out about 1/4 inch so I tried to tighten it and it just kept turning, is that because there is a nut that needs to be held on the backside? Thanks.
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Ron, I tightened up the nuts on the pylon and this made a huge difference on how the pylon feels. When you shake it with your hands it does not move very much at all now. I will go skiing wed. And while someone is skiing I will watch it. I am a little concerned about the bolts being left out and loose, should I be loosing tons of sleep over it?
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About the bolts that attach the motor frame to the stringers. I tightened mine this summer and I had to drill a small hole large enough for a the wrench to fit through in the floor to get to the back side nut. Ron may have another solution to this but its all I could think of and it worked really well. I do know that you dont want those bolts coming loose.
John Doerfler
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I wouldn't loose sleep over it, just fix it when you get the time, who knows how long it's been that way. Getting to the backside of the stringer will be the creative part, minimal hole cutting, minimal carpet slitting etc.