handfulz28

Silent Thunder platform of course...the stainless tips. 3 of 4 gaskets are sagging, the tips need some polishing, and I've got a guy compounding the whole boat, so I figured I'd just remove the tips so it's easier to work on. And it may give me a little room to "service" the baffles in there.
I started unscrewing the phillips heads, but it feels like there's a little nut inside. How the heck am I supposed to get to that?
Thanks,
Michael

ThirdBird

There are nuts on the inside, can't remember what size. Easiest way I found was to sacrafice an old wrench of the correct size. Heat it up and bend it to a little over 45 degrees or so (box end, of course). That will enable you to get on those nuts.

handfulz28

Thanks Third. they felt pretty small...looks like a fine excuse to get some flex head ratcheting wrenches
Thanks,
Michael

ThirdBird

That's a good thought Michael, but I think there are clearances issues inside that will not allow for the ratchet mechanism. I think those wrenches are just too big on the end to get on the nuts.

Might work though, been a while and I can't remember exactly how much room is in there. But, like you said, at least you'll have a new set of nice wrenches.

handfulz28

Well instead of breaking out the oxy/acetylene, or spending money on wrenches, it was easy enough with a flex-head socket wrench and deep 3/8".
Now my detail guy can clean up the transom and I can put some needed elbow grease on the exhaust tips.
3 of 4 of the gaskets are no good; I'm debating whether I can just seal the gap with some clear silicone RTV?
I also need to break out the sawzall and hole saw while I'm at it; need to re-read some old threads...
Thanks,
Michael

LAKE EFFECT

If you plan on removing the internal baffles in the platform, you might consider 4" round tips. The factory flappers, really flap(annoyingly) on a open platform, they eventually rip(mine did). I bought short 4" tips, cut the inside pipe to around 1", opened up the holes in the platform and bolted them down. The new tips/flanges will cover all but one of the original holes from the rectangular tips. You cant see them from the picture, but I also drilled 1-1/4" holes in the bottom of the platform. The boat sounds good at idle(platform in water),and even better on plane..

ThirdBird

That looks pretty cool with the round tips, might have to consider that for mine.