I have a 1987 Ericson 35 MKIII The bolts that hold my motor mounts have stripped the fiberglass bed. I would like to drill 3-3inch acesss holes in the sides of the bed and install through bolts with backing plates to hold the mounts in but am concerned about weakening the moter bed. the sides where I want to drill the holes seem thin and dont' seem to be structural. Has anyone fixed a similar problem? any suggestions?
treilley
Sustaining Partner
You could also attach a new plate under the mounts and secure them in new holes. This would allow you to rethread the original holes but in the new plates. Some 1/4" G10 Garolite would work well. You can get some at McMaster-Carr. You should have enough adjustment in the mounts to build them up 1/4".