Hairline crack in transom

[jm_middleton]

I'm looking at purchasing this 97 Sprint 286. Right next to the pick up for the speedometer there is a hairline crack that runs from the screw hole to almost the top of the transom. Is it possible this is from the screw hole not being predrilled? Or is this from a damaged transom? It has a 150 mercury on it and a jack plate. The boat feels solid and has been garage kept it's entire life. The crack doesn't look deeper than the gelcoat but I don't want to get ripped off. I hope someone here can give me some sound advice.

 

[matt167]

Well, the transom looks cracked under the jack plate unless my eyes are playing tricks

 

[Scott Danforth]

Its a 24 year old boat....it doesnt look good.....assume it needs a transom and stringers

 

[jm_middleton]

The black around the jack plate is from the boat being re-powered. It had a 115 johnson and it looks like the shop didn't clean up the old sealant real well. Is there any way to be certain if the transom is bad? Short of core sampling the transom? I'm going for a test drive this evening so any advice on checking it would be great.

 

[Scott Danforth]

get 2 200# people to jump up and down on the motor with the motor up.

there should be zero movement of the transom or the motor

(and no, you wont break anything on the motor)

however a long crack like that isnt from a non-chamfered hole. its from movement of the structure.