Hi. I was installing a jack plate today and I noticed that when the holes were being drilled, that the wood being forced out by the drill bit is wet. It wasn't real wet, or even soggy, but kind of damp. There doesn't appear to be any rot anywhere. I even ripped off the trim around the cutout and the wood looked fine. The sawdust from the drilling looked pretty normal, and the drilling was difficult enough that the transom must be solid.<br /><br />The transom is almost 3" think with three layers of plywood laminated in fiberglass and very heavy laminations on the outside layers.<br /><br />Now get this: The boat hasn't been in the water for five years! I can't for the life of me figure out how moisture got into the wood, unless it's from internal condensation or rain. There are no gel coat or fiberglass cracks or any other type of breach that could lead water into the transom.<br /><br />My gutt instinct is to just not worry about it, but my cautious side is leaning towards taking some kind of action. I had thought about drilling holes into the wood, treating with some type of water-absorber like isopropyl alcohol or glycol. Then maybe inject some thin epoxy like git-rot. <br /><br />But then, I was wondering if this dampness isn't normal for a transom with so much wood. <br /><br />Any suggestions on what you would do in a situation like this?<br /><br />Thanks,<br />Dennis
