transom condition?

[PmDavis300]

well my transom is in questionable condition, and im wondering if anyone can tell me how to tell if it will make it through another season... wont be suprised if you tell me to replace it asap if in question, but the bottom line is i just cant afford it right now, so i want to determine if the boat is still usable or not. any suggestions?

 

[OhWellcraft]

Re: transom condition?

If you could provide a bit more info might help to answer your question. Size boat, size motor, outboard or I/O, primary use of boat etc will all be factors in what people will have to say. Usually though if it really is bad its best to replace or atleast repair if possible. Post back and I'm sure you will get the answers your looking for.

 

[PmDavis300]

Re: transom condition?

If you could provide a bit more info might help to answer your question. Size boat, size motor, outboard or I/O, primary use of boat etc will all be factors in what people will have to say. Usually though if it really is bad its best to replace or atleast repair if possible. Post back and I'm sure you will get the answers your looking for.

out board, 50 hp '59 rude
boat is a 15ft trihull.

boat will be used for fishing mainly, i might speed around sometime, no water sking or tubing or anything which might stress the transom more.

it seems to be solid, but the first 1/8 in or so is rotten in spots and coming off, but its dry underneth that layer as far as i can tell.

also, there are some hooks on the back of the transom to secure the boat to the trailer, and they go straight thru the transom, and are fairly solid, if that helps at all.

 

[gcboat]

Re: transom condition?

One thing you could do is to remove the tie down hooks from the transom and poke around with an awl - or icepick. You'll be able to feel if the wood is rotten or not. Good wood will have a certain amount of resistance to it - rotten wood will seem like warm butter. Also give your motor a good shake and see how the transom reacts. If it looks like it wants to fall off - well, it probably will sooner or later. ( If your luck is like mine it will be sooner ).

 

[erikgreen]

Re: transom condition?

If you really want to be sure, then take a drill and a 1/8" bit and drill about 10-12 holes from the inside of the transom - space them all over, specifically in areas around through-hulls, the drive or outboard, and anywhere there were screws in from the outside.

On each hole you should get only white fiberglass/resin and dry white or off white wood. If you get dark brown, black, water, or dampness, then that's an indication that it's rotted or about to.

Erik

 

[oops!]

Re: transom condition?

ditto on above....^^^^^......be sure.....or you'll loose your motor....

the shake test is also good basic indicator

if it is rot....fix it now.....if rot is just starting...your good for a season

 

[jcsercsa]

Re: transom condition?

Hi .. what they said x 2 !! check really well I thought i was going to get away with out doing mine .. it was rotton in one corner and thought the rest was ok !! I took out the U-bolts and got looking and it was rotton !! like they said if it really dark it gone , and aslo when i took out the bolts you could see tell tale signs on the treads !! So good luck !! John

 

[PmDavis300]

Re: transom condition?

well i gave it a few real good shakes yesterday and it seems solid, it moved the whole boat around, and no flex or anything i could see on the transom. i feel alot better about it now, but ill take out those hooks at some point and check the wood in those holes.