transom crack/gap

[alittledinghy]

I recently acquired a 1962 16 foot Larson (fiberglass) with a 1961 Evinrude 75 HP hanging on the back. I am concerned about a crack where the transom joins the top of the boat (starboard side).the crack is very narrow and i believe it will close entirely if i take the motor off. There was a casting(aluminum) that covered this joint but it was lost sometime. The casting /cap is still present on the port side. At some point in time there was an attempt to either repair or cover the gap with what appears to be a white epoxy like material or even fiberglass without the mat. How do I fix this, as I’m afraid it will just spread if I leave it and I’ll end up losing the transom and engine, and I really don’t like surprise swims.

 

[Solittle]

Re: transom crack/gap

Can you get a picture for us? I'm not sure from your description where the crack is. If by the top you mean the deck, that is one thing. If by the top you mean the hull, that is another. Either way I wouldn't use it until I better understood what I was dealing with or you may very well take an unplanned swim.

 

[alittledinghy]

Re: transom crack/gap

I am unable to paste a picture to the message. How do i do it ?<br /><br />i think i just posted this twice

 

[roscoe]

Re: transom crack/gap

Pictures have to be posted to another web site, or hosting site. Then you reference the link to that site. Do a search at the top of the page on posting pictures for the details.<br /><br />Here is a link to a site you can store your pictures on.<br /><br />www.imagestation.com

 

[KenOhki]

Re: transom crack/gap

my fiberglass boat had 2 cracks in the transom, One on each corner where the transom dipped down in the middle. I took a dremil and ground out the cracks completely to make sure the cracking was stoped from getting larger,and to insure I could get fiberglass in the cracked area, then applied 2 layers of fiberglass & mesh over each crack ( vertical cracks ) then a small cap on the top of the transom where each crack was, then another final large sheet of mesh covering it all both inside and outside the boat. after it dried, I used some bottom paint, and it is the new most solid part of the boat.<br /><br />Good Luck

 

[alittledinghy]

Re: transom crack/gap

here is a link to the photo. If the link doesn't work, copy and paste please.<br /><br /><A HREF="http://www.imagestation.com/album/?id=4290125149"><IMG SRC="http://www.imagestation.com/images/is/community/this_album_button.gif" BORDER="0"></A>

 

[Stan Williams]

Re: transom crack/gap

That link gave me nothing but porn, changed my homepage to porn. was it just me?

 

[alittledinghy]

Re: transom crack/gap

it sure shouldn't link to any porn and i'm sorry that it did. i am having trouble copying and pasting the url also. it worked fine three times for me and now it gets messed up and can't locate the picture. i will work on it some more and see if i can straighten it out. If you'd allow me to email the picture to you, send me an email at Godspocket@aol.com and put some reference to the transom in the subject please. i get spammed alot and delete any mail i don't expect

 

[kdmiller8251]

Re: transom crack/gap

Heres the picture<br /><br />

 

[JerseyJim]

Re: transom crack/gap

ooh that looks ugly... you may have to reglass the whole transom

 

[alittledinghy]

Re: transom crack/gap

I've done some of almost everything except that, how would i go about it ?

 

[rschnack]

Re: transom crack/gap

I may be wrong, but I think that is a normal joint when a "shoebox joint" is used instead of a "flanged joint" to join the deck to the hull. That portion would normally be covered by the piece of trim. See if you can get a copy of Jim Anderson's "Runabout Restoration". It describes this well.<br /><br />Best regards,<br />RCS

 

[Solittle]

Re: transom crack/gap

If you tilt the motor up and grab anywhere on the lower part of the lower unit and lift up and down, does the transom flex? If so go to the project Boats section of this site and read to your hearts content on redoing the transom.

 

[alittledinghy]

Re: transom crack/gap

RCS, You're right,the trim is missing from the starboard side, but the port side piece is still present. I'ts a fairly thick aluminum casting, I'd say 3/8 of an inch. I plan to cast one for the starboard side but i didn't want to merely cover what might be a weak spot. When i wiggle the motor up and down, that crack does open and close about 1/16 th of an inch. Ya think that by replacing the cast trim and resealing that joint that it'll be back to normal ? The transom is solid and dry and it was only that one joint that concerned me. What do you think would be the best material to rejoin that spot with ( after cleaning the old stuff out)?

 

[rschnack]

Re: transom crack/gap

alittledinghy,<br /><br /> Do a search on this site for methods of checking and repairing transoms. I think the crack is just a normal joint between the top of the boat and the hull but someone may have removed the piece of trim trying to determine if the transom was rotted or not. If the transom is sound I don't think the seam is important. I would definately seal it to keep water out. There are many on this website who have much more experience than me. Hopefully they are following this thread and will give more imput.<br /><br />Best regards,<br />RCS