flex in transom

[JohnB]

You will get a lot of flex, and if you hop waves or trailer on rough roads, eventually, you will start to get cracks around the corners, and on the inside of the cut out of the motor. You will also start to see cracks in the splashwell too. The cracks are from the fiberglass flexing because the coring is disintgrating. Once the cracks start, you need to think about fixing it. If it hasn't had any patch/repairs, and is all original, it probably will be fine until the cracks show up.

The size/weight motor you have on it will also affect how fast it comes apart. If you slap a 500+ pound motor on something that was originally designed for 350, and the transom is weak, it will go even faster. Boats that were used if fresh water, or those that are left in the water for extended periods of time tend to fail faster.

IMHO, there are 2 types of "classic" SeaCrafts, those with rebuilt transoms, and those that need one. 25 years is a LONG time to ask a transom to last, especially with the newer/heavier/more powerful motors people are slapping on them.