Need advice on the outside of my boat?

[Jasoncook48]

Hello everyone I'm new to the forums, I'm trying to repair this boat I received as a gift from my boss. I'm not really sure what to do about this spot on the back of the boat any advice is helpful. Thanks in advance.

(I'm also not sure if this is the right spot to ask questions about repairs)

 

[GA_Boater]

Yes, you're in the right place to ask about fixing the transom. You are about to find out two things;

1) How to replace transom wood.
2) A free boat is the most expensive boat.


Adding number 3) Ask your boss for a raise to pay to scrap it or to fix it. Much more if you decide to fix it.

Stand on the anti-ventilation plate above the prop and gently bounce on it. The motor and transom shouldn't move. You can use a knife to probe the crack to see if it's wood or mulch behind the crack.

 

[Chris1956]

That is an ugly crack. Does it look to be from a collision? If the transom is sound, you can fix the crack, w/o much issue. Matching the metalflake finish will be difficult.

If the transom is not sound, you can replace the transom wood from the inside, preserving much of the exterior finish.

 

[JASinIL2006]

The dark staining coming out of the crack is concerning. Looks like evidence of rot...

What kind of access do you have to that spot from the inside of the boat?

 

[Jasoncook48]

The dark staining coming out of the crack is concerning. Looks like evidence of rot...

What kind of access do you have to that spot from the inside of the boat?

I have the back cubby hole for the gas tank directly in front of the spot I would have to remove the gas tank. However I can access the spot, also it is not leaking in the boat I have taken it on the water and it takes on hardly any water. The color matching of paint is not really a huge concern of mine. I'm not one to look a gift horse in the mouth. The spot looks concerning and I'm just curious what I can do to fix it.

 

[Scott Danforth]

Hello everyone I'm new to the forums,.........

(I'm also not sure if this is the right spot to ask questions about repairs)

This is the hull restoration forum, it is the right spot..... prior to working on the boat, go to the DIY stickies at the top of the forum, and read links 14, 15, 18, 2, 3, 4a, and 4b...... then you can move on to the others. those stickies have the majority of the knowledge you will need

I'm trying to repair this boat I received as a gift from my boss.

What did you do to upset your boss?

 

[JASinIL2006]

I have the back cubby hole for the gas tank directly in front of the spot I would have to remove the gas tank. However I can access the spot, also it is not leaking in the boat I have taken it on the water and it takes on hardly any water. The color matching of paint is not really a huge concern of mine. I'm not one to look a gift horse in the mouth. The spot looks concerning and I'm just curious what I can do to fix it.

The dark staining is a concern, not because of appearance, but because it usually means tannins and rot from the wood substrate are leaching out through the crack. The absence of a visible leak or water pooling in the boat really doesn't mean anything. What you want to find is whether the transom and structural parts of the boat are waterlogged and/or rotten. If they are, your boat can experience a catastrophic failure and capsize. If the flotation foam is also compromised, your boat and it's occupants could sink in a matter of moments.

By gaining access to the inside of transom in the vicinity of the crack, you can evaluate the wood transom for integrity. That usually involves drilling some test holes thru the inner skin of fiberglass (most wooden transom cores are fiberglassed in place from inside the boat). Drill 1/4" holes about 1" deep (you want to avoid drilling thru the outer hull, of course). If the shavings come out dry and light colored, you are OK and can patch the crack. If the shavings are wet and/or dark, you have some big work ahead.

 

[briangcc]

What's with the duct tape on top of the transom? Also looks like that "crack" has been repaired a few times. IF I was guessing...that's because the transom is rotted out and is in need of replacement.

How do well you get along with your boss again??


Based on what you find as you explore more you may be adding words to your vocabulary like...PPE, Sawzall, Polyester Resin, etc...