screws in plastic SOT for side carry handles spinning. (see pics)

[Squidly-Diddly]

Trying to replace busted side carry handles on Tarpon 16i. Just spins, and center hatch is too small and my arms to big to get to anything from the inside. Seems to be factory install. Any tips?

Will I end up mounting handles on fresh deck surface fore and aft of existing screws? How to make new mounts strong enough to handling carrying the big SOT with one strong hand? Some sort of butterfly? I assume thats what the factory mounts are. Maybe drill about 1/8" bit close to edge of screw to hold in place to back out, then a dab of sealant if needed?

 

[philSweet]

J-nuts are probably the best to try first. If you need more oomph, try semi-square shank or semi-hex shank rivnuts.
Jack Nuts | Hanson Rivet https://www.hansonrivet.com/threaded-inserts-2/jack-nut-threaded-inserts/
Squaresert Threaded Inserts | Hanson Rivet https://www.hansonrivet.com/threaded-inserts-2/squaresert-threaded-inserts/
https://www.pencomsf.com/product-category/inserts-for-plastic/

 

[Kayakmarathon]

I would use a Dremel high speed drill with a flush cut tip to remove the screw head. Recover the nut / anchor with flexible grabbers and a $30 wireless endoscope. Examine the inside mounting surface to determine how the bolt was held in place while the bolt was turned. Remove the remaining bolt from the nut. Find new bolt. Make new nylon web grips. Assemble.

 

[Squidly-Diddly]

J-nuts are probably the best to try first. If you need more oomph, try semi-square shank or semi-hex shank rivnuts.
Jack Nuts | Hanson Rivet https://www.hansonrivet.com/threaded-inserts-2/jack-nut-threaded-inserts/
Squaresert Threaded Inserts | Hanson Rivet https://www.hansonrivet.com/threaded-inserts-2/squaresert-threaded-inserts/
https://www.pencomsf.com/product-category/inserts-for-plastic/

I'm thinking more like this with 3 or more long legs to spread load over the fairly weak and thin plastic. Its a 70lbs+ boat most of that load will be on just one of the two connection points when I use almost all my strength to heave it up or down. https://www.amazon.com/T-K-Excellen...jbGlja1JlZGlyZWN0JmRvTm90TG9nQ2xpY2s9dHJ1ZQ==

But main issue is getting the old screws to unscrew.

 

[Squidly-Diddly]

I would use a Dremel high speed drill with a flush cut tip to remove the screw head. Recover the nut / anchor with flexible grabbers and a $30 wireless endoscope. Examine the inside mounting surface to determine how the bolt was held in place while the bolt was turned. Remove the remaining bolt from the nut. Find new bolt. Make new nylon web grips. Assemble.

$30 Scope ordered, didn't know they'd gotten that cheap! If I cut the screwhead off wont I still be stuck with screw shaft in whatever its screwed into and it will still be just spinning so no way to drill out the shaft? It was the fabric of the old handle that broke and I've got new handles, so I'm hoping to re-use factory connection method. I'm thinking once I get the scope I'll be able to rig a gig (probably grab with long nosed vise grips) to stop the backside from spinning and go from there.

 

[BlueBell]

Have you considered epoxying the screw, both sides, and drilling it out?
Or, easier still, take a grinder to the head...

What's an SOT?

 

[Tops]

Have you considered epoxying the screw, both sides, and drilling it out?
Or, easier still, take a grinder to the head...

What's an SOT?

Sit-On-Top kayak

 

[BlueBell]

Sit-On-Top kayak

Not to be confused with a SOF.

 

[Squidly-Diddly]

Have you considered epoxying the screw, both sides, and drilling it out?
Or, easier still, take a grinder to the head...

What's an SOT?

not expoxy but I was thinking of cutting the sides of the head flat so it would become like a two sided nut I could grab with Vise-Grips then drill out.

I wasn't thinking clearly before and now understand that if I cut the head off whatever the shaft is screwed into should fall into the hull.

Be nice to know what is the default factory way they do these handles on these SOTs where the shapes and locations make it tricky to access the back-side. I guess it might be some boat-specific factory trick gig to hold the anchor in place. Waiting on Scope to show up.

 

[Tops]

But main issue is getting the old screws to unscrew.

It might work to pull up on the bit of strap and unscrew slowly, possibly with a small cat's paw levering under the screw head and against the hull.

Not to be confused with a SOF.

Or any other SO_ three letter acronymn...

 

[BlueBell]

Or any other SO_ three letter acronymn...

Like SOR?

 

[Squidly-Diddly]

It might work to pull up on the bit of strap and unscrew slowly, possibly with a small cat's paw levering under the screw head and against the hull.

sorta tried that, might try again.

 

[BlueBell]

And taking a grinder to the head...?
If you hit it right it won't spin.

 

[BlueBell]

It might work to pull up on the bit of strap and unscrew slowly, possibly with a small cat's paw levering under the screw head and against the hull.



Or any other SO_ three letter acronymn...

Like SOH