HELP !! How do you best tell if your transom needs replaced.

[randyd12n12]

I own a 1976 century 18ft boat.It has a 1500 90 hp outboard which i am having repaired. When I put weight on the engine it seems to spring some what. Is this a sign to replace the transom or just the motor mounts ? I am really new to all this and could use some help.

 

[phatmanmike]

Re: HELP !! How do you best tell if your transom needs replaced.

touch it, taste it, see it. tell us what it does. the transom. i knew mine was falling off when there was a 1/2 inch gap between the front of the motor and the back of the boat, because it had started to PULL THROUGH the "wood" in the transom. wood has no place on a boat

 

[Mark42]

Re: HELP !! How do you best tell if your transom needs replaced.

Put a 1/4 bit in your drill, wrap a piece of masking tape 1" from the end so you know how far in the bit is going. Go and drill some holes from the INSIDE of the boat into the transom. If the wood shavings that come out are nice and dry and light colored and look like normal wood you are good. Fill the holes with epoxy and 'forgetaboutit'. If they are wet, dark, if the bit sinks in after passing through the fiberglass, you have a rotten transom. You can also probe the holes with something like an ice pick or an awl. If it feels soft and spongy, it is shot. Just start taking the motor off and get ready to do a transom.