Possible water damage to stern????

[JvtecDrsxM]

I have been rebuilding an 89 Glastron 237SL (23 feet, 454CI) I am what I thought was close to the end, I've repaired all of the old fiberglass damage, gone through and done lots of engine work but when I just cut a floor section out of the cuddy to do a little more fiberglass re-enforcing. I discovered that the wood that runs along my keel is completely rotted, I grabbed it and it crumbled in my hand, the boat has been sitting for almost 10 years now, I just acuired it about 2 1/2 years ago but it has always had lots of water inside the hull. My biggest concern is that the water may have weakend the stern and may have comprimised the strength of the area around the transom. Is there anyway I can take a look at it and somehow figure out what kind of danger/work I may have to do to it. I'm a backyard mechanic but this is my first boat so this is one of those things I have not had any experience with so any help is really appreciated!!!

 

[Mark42]

Re: Possible water damage to stern????

The common and accepted method is to take a drill and 3/8" bit and make some exploratory holes in the stringers and transom (from the inside). The shavings will tell the story: Dark, wet, its rotten. Light, wet, its going to rot. May be ok if dried. Have to try and see. Light and dry, its good to go. Its not uncommon to have water pour out the holes. Not a good sign.

Mark the drill bit with tape about 1" down so it is a depth gauge when drilling. Open the bilge and drill a few holes in the stringers, especially near where the motor is bolted down. So the same low on the transom. If its all good, fill the holes with some thickened epoxy or poly resin. If its rotting, you know what to do.... start reading the forum!

 

[Coho Ghost]

Re: Possible water damage to stern????

Jv....

Without a picture of the boat it is hard to say which is the best way to get inside the transom. If the transom is not accessible by removing a metal trim piece on the top of the transom ( I suspect it is not), then from the inside face of the transom drill several "test" holes (1/4"-3/8") to see what the drill pulls out. DO NOT DRILL THRU THE TRANSOM. Assuming the transom has a wood core, you will be pleased if nice dry normal looking wood chips come out of the holes. The holes can be filled with any good poly ester or epoxy filler when you are done. If wet, crumbly, very dark colored wood comes out, you more than likely have a rotten transom core. You said the floor stringers are rotten; it's a pretty good bet the transom is too.

Hate to tell you this, but you have a pretty big project ahead of you, if you do the repair in the proper fashion.

Start searching this forum on how to repair transoms, stringers and floor decking. There's tons of info.

Good luck,
Coho Ghost,
up in Washington state

 

[JvtecDrsxM]

Re: Possible water damage to stern????

Ok thanks guys, I really appreciate it! I'll drill some test holes this week or weekend and let you know what I find.... Also Will my keel hold up or do I absolutely have to cut all of the flooring up to replace it, It seemed as though it was still very sturdy once I got like 6 inches back from the start of the wood support?

 

[JvtecDrsxM]

Re: Possible water damage to stern????

Well I did drill some holes in various parts of my transom and found that they are all extremely rotted so I am pretty sure i'll be selling it for whatever I can but first want to know what does this actually entail to repair????

 

[Woodonglass]

Re: Possible water damage to stern????

This should give you an idea of what you are in for
http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?t=358277

 

[ezmobee]

Re: Possible water damage to stern????

Sounds like a total gut job to me. Big job but totally doable with the help of the guys on this forum.

 

[JvtecDrsxM]

Re: Possible water damage to stern????

Well guys I've decided not to continue on with this project, I'm already 3 years into it and don't feel like putting that much more into it.

EDIT: Selling is not permitted.