Was having a hell-of-a-time steering the other day, turns out I was just a few minutes away from losing the gudgeon all together. The lower 6 screws had all stripped their threads and were working their way out with only the top two screws remaining secure.

Before I just go retapping to a slightly larger screw is there anything I should be aware of?

Why did this happen? Wind was very heavy but for the lower six to come loose and not the top one that would indicate a strong moment about the gudgeon and I certainly don't remember running over anything. Old boat yes but other side feels solid as a rock.

Thanks.

you might have trouble with larger screws because of the limited amount of space in the gudgeon.

we had to put in an inspection port and through bolt one of ours when we changed over from the multi piece to the die cast one because the screws kept slipping.

not sure as to why, but it makes me want to go check mine haha

That actually sums it up pretty well.

The boat looks VERY old. Since the newer style gudgeon was added... maybe because there was an issue already.

The screws are stainless, the plate inside the transom is aluminum, there will be some corrosion over time. Perhaps the threads corroded or the screws came loose and wore further.

Through bolting is the final solution if tapping to a larger size doesn't work.