Fluid coming out of Stern

[kdmiller8251]

ok this is a crazy question, I have a the other day I was mounting a fishfinder on the back of the boat. I drilled 2 small holes in the stern. a brown fluid started to seep out of these holes after drilling them. It doesnt really smell like anything that I can put my finger on any ideas what this could be. It is not gushing out just seeps out very slowly. All help is greatly appreciated

 

[CalicoKid]

Re: Fluid coming out of Stern

It's most likely water coming out, it's brown because it's been in there a while and the wood inside your transom has stained it. You might or might not have problems (rot) inside. You may want to read more into transom diagnosis and repair here. Sorry for the potential bad news.

 

[Mikedg]

Re: Fluid coming out of Stern

Tallman:<br /><br />I hate to give you bad news but it sounds like you have water in the transom. The brown fluid is water reacting with the core and/or the laminate.<br /><br />If you are not experienced, have a qualified surveyor or marine fiberglass repair shop take a look at the transom and determine the extent of the water penetration and damage.<br /><br />This needs to be fixed as soon as possible since the transom will weaken structurally if left in this condition.

 

[Solittle]

Re: Fluid coming out of Stern

tallman - Before you take it to a shop go to the red Search at the top of the page and enter a variety of search arguements like "transom rot" or "wood rot." Ther is more info than you would care to read on what it is, how to check for it and how to fix or treat it. The fix may be minor and something you can do yourself or it can involve rplacing your complete transom. Get educated before you take it to a shop because most shops will tell you that you need to replace the transom as that is what they do and how they make a living. Best case is minor rot that you can treat by injucting some "stuff" into the transom.<br /><br />You can tell a lot by tapping the transom from the inside with a rubber mallet ot hammer. The sound will tell you where the rot is. You can then drill a few holes to verify (making sure that you plug later with 5200).<br /><br />Also much depends on what you have for power. If you have a relatively low powered I/O mounted on the stringers, the transom is not subject to a heck of a lot of force. On the other hand twin outboards put a lot of stress on the transom.<br /><br />I had my transom replaced 3 yrs ago due to major rot by a shop. I have twin SeaDrive outboards. Cost me $3,000 for a 23" CC and worth every dime.

 

[kdmiller8251]

Re: Fluid coming out of Stern

Well I drilled about a dozen or so small holes in the transom and clear water only came out of two on the exact opposite side where the brown fluid is coming out. Kind of weird... I banged on the Transom and it all sounds solid. Would using marinetex to fill the holes be ok?? Has anyone tried that Git rot stuff? Anythoughts? should I be ok since water only came out of a few holes vs all of them??<br /><br />tallman

 

[Solittle]

Re: Fluid coming out of Stern

tallman - I don't think that you are going to get off that easy. If you use marinetex to cover the holes you will just be sealing the water and rot inside the transom and the rot will continue to spread. Try the Search as I suggested before if you have not already done so. Also check:<br /><br /> http://boatbuilding.com/content/rot.html <br /><br />My suggestion - fix it right or sell it.

 

[kdmiller8251]

Re: Fluid coming out of Stern

Ok thanks for the tips, Not sure what I am going to do, I got a motor that wont turn over and need to get bottom painted....<br />I dont think the rot is bad yet, Just trying to get out of this the cheapest way possible and still maybe use the boat for a year or two before dumping it...