Water on inside of transom

[SkaterRace]

So I am clueless on why water might be on the inside of my transom. I thought maybe a leak so I figured if it was a little extra water could not hurt so I sprayed it down from the topside and the stern but nope no more water. I did dry it first to see. Confused I left it for a few hours thinking about what it might be. I go back and it is there again, at this point I am thinking it is condensation from the water in the bilge. With the plug out a small about of water maybe a 1/4 inch still collects in it and I can't get it out. So could this be my problem or is it likely something I have not thought of?

 

[steelespike]

The boat may have absorbed water If its glass it could be serious.
If aluminum not so serious .With aluminum the water may be in the foam under the floor.
A pain to replace but should still be sound.Needs new foam.
Raise the bow, take the plug out and put a can under the boat.
Possible water is only in the transom this test should help tell how serious.

 

[Old Ironmaker]

Just spraying it down usually won't show where the leak is especially in the hull. I don't like filling the hull with water as it causes stress on the boat especially when sitting on a trailer. You may have to. You found water sometime after spraying it down, it may have taken that long for the "small" leak to let the water through. I once bought a Lund from a dealer used that I could not splash because it was winter. It had a crack stem to stern that I found by putting water in it when dry on the trailer. I was smart to have them give me a leak warranty for when I could put it in the lake. Long story.

Glass or Aluminum Crestliner? I'm not sure if all Crestliners are aluminum.

 

[SkaterRace]

Just spraying it down usually won't show where the leak is especially in the hull. I don't like filling the hull with water as it causes stress on the boat especially when sitting on a trailer. You may have to. You found water sometime after spraying it down, it may have taken that long for the "small" leak to let the water through. I once bought a Lund from a dealer used that I could not splash because it was winter. It had a crack stem to stern that I found by putting water in it when dry on the trailer. I was smart to have them give me a leak warranty for when I could put it in the lake. Long story.

Glass or Aluminum Crestliner? I'm not sure if all Crestliners are aluminum.

It is a glass one. I am pretty confident it is not a leak not a issue with the transom itself. I had done core tests last fall on the transom and stringers so any water in there would have came in since then and everywhere but 1 screw holes is sealed and the open one has been there less than 48 hours. If it was a leak it would show up when it rains or when I am out on the water which is does not show. So that is what leads me to be nearly 100% sure that it is not possible to be a leak. I did just take and look again after wiping it down again, I do see moisture there again. I will be taking a pump and clothes to get all the water out of the bilge and see if that is the issue.



Just a side note, it does seem everyone here just assumes the worst instead of the likely. Anyone care to explain why that is? Just being overly cautious?

 

[SkaterRace]

The boat may have absorbed water If its glass it could be serious.
If aluminum not so serious .With aluminum the water may be in the foam under the floor.
A pain to replace but should still be sound.Needs new foam.
Raise the bow, take the plug out and put a can under the boat.
Possible water is only in the transom this test should help tell how serious.

When/where could it have absorbed water? I can not find a single spot where it could have, no holes, stress cracks, anything. Only thing I can find is the holes for swim platforms and fish finder both of which are new this year and sealed with lots of 3M 5200.

Drain plug is out and it is always tilted up far as the jack will go. Carpet is wet from when I spilled a bucket yesterday and there is a tiny bit of water in the bilge but other than that nothing. It did rain today but new cover shows no signs of water intrusion. Air is very damp though and today is the first time I noticed it so maybe the damp air combined with condensation. But as I said to old ironmaker, I highly doubt there is any water in the transom for the reasons I listed in that reply. So I can count that one out for sure unless water is magical and with how today has gone it just might be

 

[JASinIL2006]

Just a side note, it does seem everyone here just assumes the worst instead of the likely. Anyone care to explain why that is? Just being overly cautious?

It does seem like that, doesn't it? I guess it's the cumulative effect of seeing so many topics where a 'small' soft spot in the floor leads to a discovery that the entire under-decks structure is rotted and the owner initially is in denial. (Unfortunately in those cases, it seems the problem often is much worse than the owner wants to admit.) I also think this is a very cautious, safety-conscious membership, and rarely encourage folks to gloss over potential problems (especially if there are safety implications).

 

[steelespike]

If a boat was stored improperly at some point or allowed to stand with water in the slip or in the yard ; at 39 years old
it wouldn't be surprising to have absorbed some water along the way.
You said you were mystified where the waster was from ; would it make sense to suggest a leaky cover or a splash or plug leaking
or some other simple course?"water inside the transom" sure sounds like it shouldn't be there.

 

[Watermann]

I agree ^^^ the water has gotten into the boat in the past and is making it's way into the bilge not the transom. If the foam had gotten saturated it will continually weep water into the bilge.

 

[Old Ironmaker]

Water isn't magical but air does contain plenty of water as humidity, up to 90% when it isn't even raining. I get plenty of condensation in my bilge and do not have a leak.

 

[pckeen]

So quick question - are you saying there is water inside the wood in your transom, or are you indicating that there is water in the bottom back of the boat?

 

[SkaterRace]

So quick question - are you saying there is water inside the wood in your transom, or are you indicating that there is water in the bottom back of the boat?

Was saying there is water on the inside of the transom on the inner skin. It was not there today and today was not humid so I am guessing that I was likely right on the idea of it being condensation.