Inside the Transom Area

[Bygracealone]

Hey guys,

I went outside to get a better idea as to what I'd be looking at if I were to go bracket on my dually. I opened up the compartments near the transom and I noticed some cracking in the fiberglass right where the stringers meet the transom. Is this something I can just repair with filler or is it more serious than that? It's the same on both sides. On the other side, somebody tried to use some tape or something...

http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f334/bygracealone/100_0456.jpg

http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f334/bygracealone/100_0457.jpg

Sorry about the sizing issue, it wouldn't let me fix it for some reason... Anyway, it's easier to see blown up...

[msbhammer]

It doesnt look bad at all to me. You could do a quick grind job, wet it out with West System and toss on some cloth.

[macojoe]

Maybe a easy fix.

I would take a small drill, and drill a hole into the stringer.

What comes out?? Dirt, or clean wood??

If good looking wood fill hole with epoxy and fix as msbhammer said, some cloth and resin.

If dirt, its rotted and needs more attention.

[pikfish]

It does look like something to take a careful look at. More pics would help but it looks like the stringer/transom bond area is showing signs of delaminating. This is a critical area of strength especially on an outboard powerboat. I think you also have a bracket? Which would add to the loads imposed on this area. One test I would do is put your finger on the cracks and have someone bounce down on the motor. If you feel movement in the crack get more concerned. Also take a careful look at the joint between the floor and the transom. This having been said if the core materials are sound then grinding and rebonding would fix you right up.

[Bygracealone]

Thanks guys, I'll perform the tests you've suggested. *Currently, a sea drive is on her and I'm looking into the idea of going bracket...

Don't get too excited MJ, I'm just considering it ;D

[Bygracealone]

good news is the wood appears to be in solid condition up high and down low. Additionally, the deck everywhere else in the boat feels solid. No soft spots at all.

Question: How does one get down to the bottom in the transom area to grind and fill? I could barely reach it with my hand...

Also, when I bounced on the sea drive, I could definitely feel some movement at those areas. Not a bunch, but some. Is that okay? Will the filler and cloth take care of that?

[willy]

Does it look to you like the joint between the stringer knee and the transom is severed, can you have someone get on the sea drive while you are down as close as you can get and observe the joint, see how much the crack expands. There will be some flex but picture a piece of plywood that is secured around the perimeter and you step in the middle, it's going to flex. Those knees are like putting a block of wood underneath the middle of that plywood. Still some flex but not like before.

[pikfish]

Could you give us some pics. of the transom/deck area maybe from the helm facing backward so we could get an idea of what is in your way to gain access to the stringer knee area. I am sure you would want to fix this before using the boat much more to avoid any further damage. Where there's a will there's a way!

[Vic]

Man that sure looks and sounds to me like the lower part of the transom is soggy. I cant feel any flex with my outboard bracket.

[Bygracealone]

Hey guys,

Just to be clear, the flex I'm talking about is only felt where the fiberglass has become delaminated up top. And I don't mean a lot of flex. It's just enough to know that it does flex. I didn't see nor feel any movement down low.

Vic has me all worried now :-/ :o

[willy]

No worries Mate, the guys on this site can talk you thru disarming a bomb if need be. Did you get my reference earlier and try it with someone outside doing the weight on the sea drive?

[willy]

Also do you have any attachments like a swim platform etc. on the transom that has screws into it, especially down low. If you do pull one or more of the screws and see how the wood fibers look on the screw when it comes out. Also leave it out awhile and see if you get any moisture seeping out. When I was shopping for a V (one and a half years) I did this and found that you could see if you had a wet transom by just doing this simple routine.
If the wood in the stringer/knee was dry when you checked you will be able to grind back to clean material and re-glass it like new.

[macojoe]

Well theres one way to tell, drill some holes in the trransome, just like you did in the stringers and see what comes out, Dirt you have problems, clean wood seal and your all set!!

Yes have some one move the motor while you look at the cracks and see if they are moving, if not or very little you good!!

When you glass the cracks they will be solid again!! As for grinding the cracks you will have to do the old fashion way with a file and sand paper!

[Vic]

Sorry about that Grace. I didnt mean that I thought your boat was falling apart. I would and still do check for things like that on my own boat. Maco's right there's one way to find out.