Transom Concerns?

FELLOW-SHIP · #1 07-23-2003, 12:30 PM

Ha Ryank
I tend to approach this transom issue a little differently on wood transoms. Which is, it’s broke, when do I need to do something about it? It’s usually just a matter of TIME. Some ware at about 12-15 years down the line of a boat a transom job is in order. At about 20 years down the line all doubt is gone. I used all types of methods before I made my decision to do my transom but only after I got into the job and saw the wood or lets say mushy stuff all doubts were gone. It’s kind of like a tune up on your car, do you do it when it first starts to show slow pick up and it’s idling ruffle or do you do it when it stops running and your stuck on the side of the road.
Fellow-Ship [img]images/icons/rolleyes.gif[/img]

TUGBOAT · #2 07-24-2003, 01:17 AM

I had a similar problem on My 20 MA . Although I had NO Flex,some stress cracks. it had a plate to fix an earlier prob.(how Long ??) I ran it 4 years with no prob. I went to re-install a transducer & noticed wet/watery wood when drilling.Drilled a few 1/4 inch holes from the inside(hidden) transom.some not much was dry.Patched the holes.Pondered what to do for a while(long).I ended up replacing the transom with composite/Hi density foam.
If You have a reasonably strong transom & want to patch it for awhile, till the timing or $$ is right put a plate on it.seal it good & ride.Otherwise just fix it & let another Boating Problem come along.
Scream'n reels' [img]images/icons/cool.gif[/img]

Ryank · #3 07-23-2003, 10:00 PM

I just hauled my boat out and after a thourough inspection Ive found that the area around 6" by 6" on the starboard side of the engine has a very hollow thump sound , the rest of the transom sounds very solid . This area doesnt have any bolts near it, it starts about 4 inches away from any bolts or holes at all , kid of confused of how this occured. I spoke with a fiberglass repair facility in tarpon springs and they seemed very honest and said there are many options other then a whole transom job. ps they said they are in the process of atotal sc23 resto job , cant wait tio see that.

JohnB · #4 07-23-2003, 11:20 PM

Ryank,
It could be a air void from when it was originally manufactured. Who knows. I ran into that on a transom I did several years ago.
I check mine every year with a moisture meter and a rubber mallet. I have a couple of questionable hairline cracks in the corners that I monitor. At least you will have a baseline, and a professional opinion. Alot of guys when they redo a transom on one of these opt for a closed in full transom and a bracket.

Dave Hirshberg · #5 07-24-2003, 10:55 AM

Ryan, that hollow area is probably delamination. That when the fiberglass skin separates from the wood behind it. It dosen't mean the wood is rotten. This condition is repairable as long as the wood behind it is ok. It requires inspection though to be sure. If thats the problem I doubt its causing the flex you are seeing but it should be fixed so it dosen't spread. I just finished fixing the same thing on my 20. It had a few spots as you described so I peeled off the outer skin on those areas,scored the dry wood with a die sander , hot coated it with resin and re-laminated with bi-axil fiberglass and 3/4oz mat. It came out nice. I took pics of the whole process if you want them.
Dave

Briguy · #6 07-24-2003, 02:22 PM

GREAT ADVICE GUYS!!!!!!

That is what this board is all about! Keep up the good work.

My advice is to use a 1/4 inch drill and open one or 2 holes where the hollow sound is coming from about 1 inch in. Check the overall condition of the wood. Dry rot, solid, moist, mush etc. etc. Just to be sure, drill one or 2 holes near the lower drain holes at the bottom of the hull about maybe 2 inches up. Does water drip out overnight, if so how much a cap ful or a few ounces.
This is what I did and it really gave me all the info I needed. Just epoxy the holes up and noone will know.

If you are not rotted, perhaps a steel plate would sure things up until you decide how much $$$ you are willing to spend. Remember, this would be a good time to bracket!!!!

Ryank · #7 07-26-2003, 05:43 PM

God news sort of , Kevin from american boatworks in tarpon said I can probably get at least 5 years or so more out of my transom and suggests that to ease my concerns have a aluminum 1/4 plate and reinforcing plate put on both sides of the transom. found a place that is doing it total cost 350 .. very happy