hairline cracks in transom gelcoat

[hotrodnailhead]

This is my first post on Iboats, but I signed up a long time ago. There is a wealth of info on here, and I'm hoping that, based on the pictures, someone can predict the status of the transom of the boat I'm considering.

This is an old sleekcraft that I'm considering purchasing. It passes the "thump" test, and I haven't drilled any holes to see about actual water penetration...

The crack is thin, and there is no chipping of the gelcoat around it. (It kind of looks like chipping, but that is just dirt from where I was running my finger over it to see how deep the crack went.)

The crack extends all the way around the edge of the transom on the outside. It doesn't appear to where the stress would be concentrated from the weight of the engine, or torque. Rather, it looks like it may be from temperature, expansion and contraction.

Am I nuts for considering buying it? I'm not really interested in replacing a transom. Should I even bother to pay a professional to check it out?

Thanks in advance!

 

[Silverbullet555]

Re: hairline cracks in transom gelcoat

I'm not an expert, but I would be worried. Notice the sealant around the outdrive. that means the previous owner had a leak and was trying to seal it up. The crack all the around the transom is scary as it means there is some movement across a large area.

Others will chime in, but if you have no interest in a rebuild, might look somewhere else.

 

[steveclv]

Re: hairline cracks in transom gelcoat

I agree.

Anywhere that the transom is penetrated with a hole is a potential source of problems. With I/Os, you have the huge hole for the outdrive and this is probably where 95% of all leaks occur. The older the boat the greater the chance of a leak. When it starts to leak the only true fix is to pull the leg and to reseal with the correct seals.
However, a lot of people (most?) will attempt a quick and easy repair using some sort of silicone crap - from bathroom sealant and up - none of these will work below the waterline for long and so water enters the transom and rots it in that area.

I/Os are far worse in this regard than outboards and you only have to trawl through this thread to see the number of I/Os being rebuilt with brand new transoms - and there are thousands more out there that need it done.

Unless it's very cheap and you have the desire to restore it then I'd walk away - and beware any I/O leg that has any form of sealant applied around it like that.

 

[hotrodnailhead]

Re: hairline cracks in transom gelcoat

Thanks for the info! I suppose that's what I expected to hear. I wouldn't consider it "cheap" but it's not even close to the cost of a newer boat.

It appears to have been stored inside for most of it's existence. It's the only thing that could explain the condition of the upholstery and stuff... it's very original... and "groovy".

 

[steveclv]

Re: hairline cracks in transom gelcoat

The only real test is to start drilling holes on the inside of the transom and no seller is going to allow you to do that - unfortunately it means that you are well advised to walk - the risk is just too high.

 

[hotrodnailhead]

Re: hairline cracks in transom gelcoat

I'm taking the boat to the pros to check out the transom, stringers and motor mounts in a day or two. I'll let you know what we find, and I'll take some pics.

My wife explaind to me that my time is more valuable than it would take for me to do the work of replacing these parts of the boat. So she recomended that i just pay them to do it if it needs it. She's awesome. Ha ha.

 

[Cadwelder]

Re: hairline cracks in transom gelcoat

I'm taking the boat to the pros to check out the transom, stringers and motor mounts in a day or two. I'll let you know what we find, and I'll take some pics.

My wife explaind to me that my time is more valuable than it would take for me to do the work of replacing these parts of the boat. So she recomended that i just pay them to do it if it needs it. She's awesome. Ha ha.

Be sure you're sitting down when they give you the estimate for this repair.

 

[hotrodnailhead]

Re: hairline cracks in transom gelcoat

Heh, yeah, they already gave me a range. About as much as the boat itself.

 

[hotrodnailhead]

Re: hairline cracks in transom gelcoat

Welp. The diagnosis is, the transom is bad and needs to be replaced soon. The floors seem okay, and the motor mounts are okay. I got a repair estimate, and negotiated with the seller to deduct that amount from the sale price and a deal was struck.

I now have a little project on my hands, but for now, I think I'm going to take it out and enjoy it for a while!