trophy transom repair

[asthesun]

bought a 2000 17' trophy a couple weeks ago, have nearly everything in working order but discovered that the holes above the bilge hatch where water exits freely (and enters freely) leaks through the transom into the bilge. there's some rotten wood i can see in there but the transom overall seems structurally sound, i.e. no flexing and the gel coat hasnt cracked at all. should i just let in dry and fill it up with a sealant of some kind or look forward to extensive resto work? it's got a 90 merc

on an unrelated note, i couldnt find any manual or anything on bayliner's site. i know they bought trophy a while ago so i assumed that's where to look for that kind of thing, if not there, where?

 

[Woodonglass]

Re: trophy transom repair

Boat Owners manuals are pretty much worthless. Transom SEEMS solid. I'd recommend you drill some core samples to ensure that it is. If it is then fill the holes with 3m 5200 an go have fun.

 

[asthesun]

Re: trophy transom repair

so swiss cheese the transom? lol seems a bit intrusive. i don't think the rot has gone past a few inches from these holes. is there a way i could forceably dry the wood that's in there? the holes are like 1-1 1/4 inches diameter. i can't get more than a finger in there. also i saw online somewhere that the transom and stringers were guaranteed for life on these boats?

 

[jbcurt00]

Re: trophy transom repair

so swiss cheese the transom? lol seems a bit intrusive. i don't think the rot has gone past a few inches from these holes. is there a way i could forceably dry the wood that's in there? the holes are like 1-1 1/4 inches diameter. i can't get more than a finger in there. also i saw online somewhere that the transom and stringers were guaranteed for life on these boats?

You should definitely hunt that info down....

The holes WOG is suggesting are drilled from the interior @1" +/- deep w/ a 3/8" bit. They are for core sampling, and DO NOT go all the way through the hull. Wood is a natural sponge, and although the water & damage appear to be localized at the thru holes, it is more often then not, that the water has been absorbed much further then you'd think & done much more damage then you'd like.

1 1/4" sound fairly large to be wide open thru the hull hole.... Are you sure they aren't the drain plug holes? Pix would help......

You won't know how extensive the damage is until you start drilling (coring, NOT completely thru the hull) and or dismantling the boat....

This occured to a recently purchased, 'water-ready, good to go' boat that the buyer thought they'd done a thorough & complete inspection on:

It happens. Is your transom this soft? Perhaps not, but it is possible.....

Boat & resto boats safely.

 

[jigngrub]

Re: trophy transom repair

That wood should not be rotting if there's indeed a lifetime guarantee on your transom. Are you sure it's rotting, or is it just wet.

Pics would certainly help.

 

[asthesun]

Re: trophy transom repair

here's where i got the idea that it may be guaranteed for life: Trophy Bayliner Wood stringer & transom? - The Hull Truth - Boating and Fishing Forum . in hindsight i see that they mentioned a 2003, not a 2000 like i have and of course you can't believe what u hear on the internet.

here's the holes i am talking about. i sealed them so i could use the boat yesterday