Free boat with history of leak... worth it? Will a survey catch issues?

[Batperson]

Hello,

I am being offered a free boat. It's a 1997 seaswirl striper. It has been a great boat, generally well maintained, etc. At some point over the last 6 months or so, it developed a slow leak somewhere. Over the course of 2-3 months, it filled up to where it touched the oil pan. So the engine is fine, still starts and runs strong, but there's a leak.

A mechanic looked at it at one point and determined that the leak was PROBABLY around one of the transducer bolts that run through the transom as there seemed to be some wetness there. So here's my question... how problematic is that?

I assume I can fix the leak, but would it dangerously compromise the transom with that kind of slow leak? And would a marine survey be able to tell me for sure? If I get a marine survey on this boat, should I feel comfortable taking it and using it? I guess what I'm asking is, I am 100% aware that any kind of leak can compromise the structural integrity. But there's also a chance that the structural integrity is okay. I just don't know if a marine survey can catch this kind of issue, like where it had a slow transom leak over potentially a few months, not too long ago. I feel like they use moisture meters, but it's probably still wet, so will they even be able to tell? Like how reliable or useful is a survey in this case solely for the purposes of catching structural issues?

Thank you all

 

[alldodge]

As many have said before me, Free boats are normally the most costly

Look at a full transom rebuild for starters

 

[Batperson]

Even if the marine survey comes back and says the transom is fine? My major question is whether a marine survey will tell me whether or not there is structural damage to the transom, stringers, things like that. thx

 

[alldodge]

A "good" surveyor will identify all issues with a boat

 

[Batperson]

Thx. So my big worry is that the fact that the transom has been so recently wet might mess with their readings, since I feel like they rely on moisture meters and stuff pretty heavily. Is this the case? Or can they identify issues (or lack thereof) with a wet transom? For instance, it's not true that every transom that is wet is an issue, right? It would depend on how long it's been sitting in water, how thoroughly it was dried out, things like that I would think. Or am I way off?

 

[alldodge]

Surface moisture meters are not very accurate and depending on who is using adds more possible inaccuracy

Normally by the time a transom starts leaking, the moisture has made its way further up then where its coming out.

Easy way to find out for your self is take a small drill bit (1/4 inch or so) and wrap a piece around it about 5/8 to 3/4 inch up from tip. Note the transom is close to 2 inches thick

Drill holes from inside just above where it's leaking. If wood shavings come out light and dry it's good, dark and moist not so good.

Holes should be refilled if dry with epoxy or 3M 4000 or 5200

 

[Sprig]

You say it’s been a “great boat”. Before I get further into this my first question is why is someone giving you a “great boat” for free and who is it that is giving you the boat.

 

[Scott Danforth]

Free boats cost the most.

Assume it's a complete restoration

 

[Batperson]

lol I forgot about the assumption of suspicion on this site this boat belongs to my cousin, he is pretty solid financially and when this happened he took it as an excuse to buy a new boat. The offer is basically “I think this boat is still solid but it *does* have a leak so it’s yours if you want it but otherwise I’m taking it to the dump. I have a new boat so I don’t want to deal with it”

It’s not your typical “free boat” that someone is trying to offload because it’s known to be bad or anything like that

 

[Sprig]

lol I forgot about the assumption of suspicion on this site this boat belongs to my cousin, he is pretty solid financially and when this happened he took it as an excuse to buy a new boat. The offer is basically “I think this boat is still solid but it *does* have a leak so it’s yours if you want it but otherwise I’m taking it to the dump. I have a new boat so I don’t want to deal with it”

It’s not your typical “free boat” that someone is trying to offload because it’s known to be bad or anything like that

Thank you. That’s import information. If it was someone you didn't know or barely knew it would make the boat gift highly suspicious . More likely there’s more wrong with the boat. Since the boat is coming from a known trusted source we can assume the boat isn’t a piece of junk bound for the junk yard. I say get it surveyed. Surveys aren’t cheap but now that we know the boat history is accurate and honest and the boat is free then it’s worth it to get it surveyed.

 

[nola mike]

.

Easy way to find out for your self is take a small drill bit (1/4 inch or so) and wrap a piece around it about 5/8 to 3/4 inch up from tip. Note the transom is close to 2 inches thick

Drill holes from inside just above where it's leaking. If wood shavings come out light and dry it's good, dark and moist not so good.

Holes should be refilled if dry with epoxy or 3M 4000 or 5200

This. None of the guesswork of a moisture meter, easy and foolproof

 

[Batperson]

Thx all. Just to confirm, the strong sense I'm getting is that IF I were to have this boat surveyed (as the extent of the damage is unknown), and it passes the survey, I should consider the hull to be sound despite the leak. So if I can track down and fix the leak, I should consider this to be a good hull.

I would want to do a separate mechanical inspection since it wasn't used much and the water DID get up to the oil pan, but in terms of a sound hull that is safe to use, a survey should be able to catch any potential issues regardless of whether the wood is still wet from the leak.

Is that all correct? thx.

 

[Batperson]

@alldodge Thank you for the self test. I don't think I understand. Clearly I'm dumb but why would you drill above the leak? Wouldn't any water go down and I should drill below the leak to test the quality of any wood below the leak where the water possibly sunk in? And just to confirm I should only be drilling in 3/4" at most from the inside, not the full 2 inches, right? thx

 

[alldodge]

Water wicks thru plywood it doesn't just go down. I would start about 2 inches above the leak. If it's dry there then you good chance to be able to fix without ripping the transom out.

Yes only about 3/4 inch, if it's wet there it's wet all the way thru. Don't want to chance going clear thru and have to fix a hole coming out the other side

 

[Baylinerchuck]

“Water to the oil pan”, so safe to assume I/O. I would be more apt to think you have a leak at the u-joint or cable bellows. I may also suspect the outdrive transom bolts. If it’s leaking through the small screws in the transducer, then the whole transom is soaked and has been for quite some time. Transducers aren’t normally through bolted.

 

[cyclops222]

NO bilge pump ? How many times has it reached or gone over the oil pan ?
Oh well.

 

[Batperson]

“Water to the oil pan”, so safe to assume I/O. I would be more apt to think you have a leak at the u-joint or cable bellows. I may also suspect the outdrive transom bolts. If it’s leaking through the small screws in the transducer, then the whole transom is soaked and has been for quite some time. Transducers aren’t normally through bolted.

Yeah this one has a through bolted bracket, it has a fish finder transducer and a speedometer and some other stuff but it's definitely through bolted. It's don't know whether the whole leak is here or what, maybe it's bellows or something for sure but for now I'm just trying to figure out: IF I assume that I can find the leak and fix it, and IF a mechanical inspection comes back that the motor is fine, and IF the survey comes back and says that the transom is structurally sound and the stringers and all of that... is this boat safe to use? Or are there other hidden gremlins that come up when the boat gets flooded that far, that maybe a survey won't catch or something? It sounds like all indications are that a survey will tell me what I need to know! But I agree, pretty dumb system for the transducer :/

NO bilge pump ? How many times has it reached or gone over the oil pan ?
Oh well.

This is a good and fair question. I think just the once

 

[Batperson]

Water wicks thru plywood it doesn't just go down. I would start about 2 inches above the leak. If it's dry there then you good chance to be able to fix without ripping the transom out.

Yes only about 3/4 inch, if it's wet there it's wet all the way thru. Don't want to chance going clear thru and have to fix a hole coming out the other side

Thank you this makes sense! I will probably have the surveyor do that test since I don't trust myself but it'll get done

 

[tphoyt]

Just to add my 2 cents the drill test is the way to go and know for sure how far the water got and make the repair asap. The wood will never dry out and it will become an issue some day.
If the leak is a recent discovery the fix is within reach without a big rebuild project. A good thorough inspection will be worth every penny.
Best of luck

 

[Grub54891]

I’ve seen a lot of boats in my lifetime that passed the survey with flying colors. Then they get to our shop with multiple issues. Including bad transom’s. Not all surveyors are competent, I’m sure there are good ones out there but not all of them know enough about boats. If they run and drive, that’s all they care about.