transom (Mako)

[TUGBOAT]

I had the SAME problem took My trim tabs off & water poured out !I drilled a few 1/4" holes from the inside & wet wood.If its wet in a few places ? I'm putting a New transom in now.My old one came out& was in really bad shape everywhere a hole was drilled before.

[JohnB]

EBEACH,
Don't know what you were using for a mosture meter, but the GRP meter will find moister penetration in wood or synthetic coring material. It will find moisture if water is trapped in a section of the hull. Check out http://www.jroverseas.com/modelgrp.htm for specs. This is what the insurance, warrantee, survey, and manufacture industry uses. It is the best way to evaluate water penetration in any material. It only looks for water, and can see 'thru' glass.

[culley06]

Thanks for all the replies. I am going to drill some holes this Sunday and I will get back with the reports. I fear that this project is going to end up bigger than I expected. I bet no one else here ever had that problem. [img]images/icons/grin.gif[/img] [img]images/icons/grin.gif[/img]
dave

[Scott]

culley06
I had a similar situation .....I feel your pain...a little scary when, in my case, the stream of water coming out of the transom seemed to be under pressure.....I got out about 8 oz....for me the transom will be restored very soon....I'm certain it could never be totally dried out..even though it is solid ..hence the wood will continue to break down..I would rather know for sure the condition of the transom rather then always second guessing it.

[culley06]

BriGuy
Well, I drilled out the hole that gave me problems, and just a few drops came out after I put a heat lamp to it for a few hours. I also took out the brass tube of the drain plug and the wood is wet on the surface, but angled drilling shows it to be solid. The holes above these two are dry. I think (hope) I can dry everything out with the heat lamp. I know that I eventually will need a new transom, but not for a bit yet is my feeling.
Any thoughts?
thanks
dave

[Tom]

Back out one of the engine mounting bolts (I assume the engine is still mounted up) and 1) smell the material that comes with it and 2) check for moisture. IF your water impregnation is isolated to the trim tab mounting areas, you can live on borrowed time for a bit.. if there is moisture around the engine bolts, then, you might as well get it over with!

Another test, tilt the engine up, engage the lock/lever. Get the largest, strongest friend you have, and tell him to bounce on the lower unit. Feel around the bolts, and edges of the transom to see any flex (on the inside). If so, then you must replace the transom for sure.