Larry, Those "spiked threaded things" are Tee-nuts. Once everything is set up, you can actually pull them through (called "fishing") with a piece of line. Doug Kelch described the procedure a few years ago. I have done some caving and don't have a fear of tight places, just high places. So I just squirmed in under the cockpit, as described in the following, from the archives, April 2003: "Well, I bought Fulton motor mount WM#380321, and a Garelick transom ladder WM#283770, and have begun the installation process. I chose the Fulton model without the torsion springs because of the weight difference - over 4#. The motor is light and my back is still strong (knock on wood). So that's 4# less hanging off the stern. It's hard to believe the 4# of spring is only $10 - maybe there is an error in weight in the catalogs. I figured I would try to install using the "fish the backing plate into place" method, and if I ran into trouble, cut a seat-top hatch for access. I started to unscrew the original fixed mount, and, of course, the nuts just turned with the screw. Not having a kid handy, I thought I would try transom diving one time. I had my wife stand by with the screwdriver while I squirmed under the port cockpit seat. Surprise! I was able to get in, hold the nuts while she loosened the bolts, and, bigger surprise, squirm back out again! I'm not large, at 5'6", 160. But it was easier than I thought. What worked for me was to begin feet first from the port bunk, but aim my feet to Starboard, just behind the bunks. After popping my head in, I was lying abeam, feet to starboard, head to port, just behind the bunks. Then I leaned head first under the port cockpit seat, and slithered in with little trouble. I used some old corrugated along the forward cockpit bracing to help me slide by. While measuring and fitting, I ran in to the same problem Connie had with the release lever on the mount hitting the transom flare. I cut a piece of 5/8" plywood to fit between the motor mount and the transom, effectively moving the mount 5/8" farther astern, and think this will give me just enough room. Since there is plywood glassed into the area where the original mount was located, I don't plan to use a backing plate, just fender washers. I have made a 5/8" backing plate for the ladder, on the starboard side. I will still use stainless T-nuts for the ladder. When I was removing the motor mount I realized how little room there is between the outer transom and the hull liner. T-Nuts will make it easier, but at least I don't have to fish the rig in there now! I still have to epoxy the plywood pieces and install the equipment, but I have the fitting and measuring done. That probably took as much time as epoxying and mounting will. Can't be too careful. I don't want the rudder hitting either piece of hardware. Speaking of the rudder, I disassembled it for it's second varnishing since I bought Storm Petrel in 1998. The pivot hole on one of the cheek plates is elongated, vertically, to almost twice the size it should be. Has anyone else seen that? I think I will just reassemble it as is and next winter have my machinist brother cut new aluminum (or stainless?) cheek plates for both sides." I ended up making quite a number of trips to the sub-cockpit cave, installing both the motor mount and ladder, and can now slide in blindfolded, so to speak. Maybe this will save a hole in your boat. Whatever method you use, good luck. Bill Riker M-15 #184 Storm Petrel -----Original Message----- From: montgomery_boats-bounces+wriker=mindspring.com@mailman.xmission.com [mailto:montgomery_boats-bounces+wriker=mindspring.com@mailman.xmission.com] On Behalf Of Hughston, Larry Sent: Monday, July 11, 2005 6:14 PM To: 'stever707@mail.saabnet.com'; 'For and about Montgomery Sailboats' Subject: RE: M_Boats: re: M-15 Ladder AND Locker Storage Thanks Steve, I am getting some great ideas and methods from all you folks out there. ---Larry -----Original Message----- From: Steve R. [mailto:stever707@mail.saabnet.com] Sent: Monday, July 11, 2005 12:54 PM To: montgomery_boats@mailman.xmission.com Subject: M_Boats: re: M-15 Ladder AND Locker Storage Larry and Bo, I have two shallow cockpit lockers. In order to install my transom ladder, I mounted a Bomar hatch on the horizontal surface of the starboard cockpit seat. It is centered between the locker and the transom. And, in order to install my motor mount, I mounted a Bomar hatch on the horizontal surface of the port cockpit seat. I think they were about $35 each. I used a hole saw of about 2 inches to drill holes at the corners, and a reciprocating saw to make the straight cuts. Great storage for fenders and lines. Water tight. Very easy to check the mounting bolts for the OB, ladder and rudder. The hatch does stick up slightly above the seat, but is not uncomfortable and I do not sit there for long. Your mileage may...you know. steve Steve R. M-15 #119 Lexington, KY _______________________________________________ http://mailman.xmission.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/montgomery_boats _______________________________________________ http://mailman.xmission.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/montgomery_boats