Fiberglass Boat Transom

[blackhawkdc]

How can I check a transom on a fiberglass boat to make sure that it is sound before buying the boat? I posted a thread already on fiberglass repair. but am looking for advice on inspecting for transom rot too. the boat is a 1975 Chrysler Charger with a 170 horse Volvo Penta powertrain. any advice and things to look for would be much appreciated!!

Seth

 

[oncebitten]

Re: Fiberglass Boat Transom

I'm sure others will have more ideas, but I would start with the following. This is assuming the transom is a laminated sandwich of wood with a fiberglass skin.

1. knock it with your knuckles or the rubber hande of a screwdriver or other non-maring thing. Listen for differences in tone. If it sounds lively in one spot and then dead in another, it might bear closer attention. Other things can cause a shift in tone, like how close a stringer might be and variances in fiberglass thickness, but I'd pay attention for strange tones and soft areas.

2. Look for brown sludge and cracking in the bilge or around the drain plug if it has one. That could be an indication of a problem.

3. Look for delamination of the glass from the core material. If you see bubbles or peeling up in corners or in the field that's an indication of moisture problems.

4. Does it smell like rotting wood? Trust your nose. Investigate further if it smells funny.

That's all I can think of off the top of my head.

 

[andy6374]

Re: Fiberglass Boat Transom

There is a bunch of different methods...

First any cracking of the gelcoat on the outside or inside skin of the transom is a tell-tale sign that things aren't good.

Get a small hammer a tap the transom in a bunch of different spots. If the wood is dry you should here a loud 'pop' if it's wet you'll hear more of a 'thud' sound. Do the same for the stringers too.

With the motor tilted up and put on the lock. Then put good pressure on the skeg of the motor and watch to see if the transom is flexes.