Checking a Transom
 

Looking to buy a V20. Whats the best way to check for a bad transom??

Assuming it's an outboard...w/a motor on it...tilt the motor all the way up...apply your full body weight across the lower unit...easy does it cuz you don't know what you got...as weight is applied, LISTEN!!...no noise is good news..snap, crackle, pop and present owner freakin' out is bad news...no kiddin'...it's the way I do 'em all the time...

also look for movement.... I weigh close to 250 lbs and my transom doesn't move with me REALLY bouncing on the outboard.... as he said tho start EASY.... you rip the transom out and you probably are better off buying it than dealing with being sued

Transom
 

Thanks guys:
I also heard you can use a rubber mallet to tap on the transom. I guess a dull thud would be a clue?? I like what you guys said better!!

Along with what has already been said, don't forget to check the floor as well as the transom. These boats also have a history of soft floors/rotten stringers... so you'll want to walk every inch of the floor, on the balls of your feet, with a springy/bouncing step... Feel for any soft spots. If the floor gives way that's a sign of future work that perhap you don't want to do. :head:

Internal Structure
 

Check out the pic in "Pete's '73 V20 Steplift" I didn't realize the damage until I decided to rebuild my motor and upon pulling the motor, found that the front mount was not secure at all. Had to replace all wood structure and re-glass before putting it back together. Still take water in somewhere on the transom but tough to find out where the water is coming in.

And when yer thru walking the floor, hop up on the bow deck in front of the windshield...that of course is a cored fiberglass construction as well...and has several screws run into it around the edge for the bow rail and inthe middle where the sliding hatch lid is mounted...water seeps into those areas on some and rots that core away w/time...