Drain Plug Help

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Michael_Perazzo

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I just got my first boat, 74 Tahiti Tropicana! It needs some engine work, a new floor soon and a few other things. I have a question about the drain plug, it looks like its missing and the hole is half covered by the rubber diaphram thing. I can push a screwdriver into the hole so I know the plug is not there. See pic. This doesn't seem right? does the plug go from the inside? this would be very hard to reach! Anyone seen this before?

I am sure I will have more ?'s soon...

Thanks,

Michael.
 

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Howard Sterndrive

Howard Sterndrive

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Re: Drain Plug Help

that looks like a butcher job. Like maybe someone started to transplant that drive and engine in there - cut a big hole, shoved it in and then gave up...with good reason.
Is that some sort of rubber caulk hanging out?

or maybe the transom is seriously rotten to the point where the drive fell into that area...
 
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Michael_Perazzo

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Re: Drain Plug Help

Pretty sure its a factory installed setup. My first boat so what do I know.... Its a OMC 120HP 4cyl. The picture looks worse than it is. It does have some brown caulking around it that is starting to come loose. The transom looks pretty solid. I will post some pics soon.
 
Scott Danforth

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Re: Drain Plug Help

that hole isnt right.
 
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Michael_Perazzo

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Re: Drain Plug Help

OK here is a pic of the drain plug hole from the inside, the first time I have seen it, its way down behind the engine. The bilge area looks like it had a flood recently, maybe because the plug was missing. It looks like an insert has been put through the transom, and just needs a plug in it? I also have some other pics of the transom area.

Thanks,

Michael.
 

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Michael_Perazzo

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Re: Drain Plug Help

OK, the right pics this time.
 

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sam60

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Re: Drain Plug Help

Michael_Perazzo said:
OK here is a pic of the drain plug hole from the inside, the first time I have seen it, its way down behind the engine. The bilge area looks like it had a flood recently, maybe because the plug was missing. It looks like an insert has been put through the transom, and just needs a plug in it? I also have some other pics of the transom area.

Thanks,

Michael.
Click to expand...

Yeah scary looking down in there,....don't know what to say about the auto steering column and light switch.;)

I'm with Howard thinking it's sinking. How solid is base at the motor mounts?
 
Scott Danforth

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Re: Drain Plug Help

why is there not fiberglass covering the inside of the transom? it looks like someone did a transom repair and didnt encapsulate the wood.
 
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Michael_Perazzo

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Re: Drain Plug Help

Here are some pics of the engine mounts. Some of the bolts are loose or missing. In general they look like they aren't sinking... I am starting to get a bit nervous about this!!!
 

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sam60

sam60

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Re: Drain Plug Help

What Scott said. That exposed wood is not a good sign. Look at your second pic in this thread..P5020009.jpg..if that's a gold nugget things can't be too bad.:facepalm.

I bought a boat that only had a bad starter,.....but found out that also bad was the engine that it was attached to. I think about 50% is dis-honest sellers and 50% seller not knowing any better or letting them sit too long.

EDIT: And 100% buyer beware
 
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Michael_Perazzo

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Re: Drain Plug Help

mzahn said:
What Scott said. That exposed wood is not a good sign. Look at your second pic in this thread..P5020009.jpg..if that's a gold nugget things can't be too bad.:facepalm.

I bought a boat that only had a bad starter,.....but found out that also bad was the engine that it was attached to. I think about 50% is dis-honest sellers and 50% seller not knowing any better or letting them sit too long.

EDIT: And 100% buyer beware
Click to expand...

Hopefully this one will be better... going to get under there and get that nugget!!
 
Howard Sterndrive

Howard Sterndrive

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Re: Drain Plug Help

there's still plywood "fur" around this hole - that wasn't cut in 1974
fresh.jpg

I don't know what sort of project someone started with that transom, but it doesn't look like it was a pro job
 
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Michael_Perazzo

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Re: Drain Plug Help

So I guess thats why the drain hole is 1/2 covered, an amateur transom repair at some point. So what is next? I think I should just seal up the hole and use the bilge pump to remove water?

So my next question is what would be the easiest and best way to do this?

If the transom should have been glassed over, what should I do now to protect it?

My goal is to just get out on the lake this summer and see if my kids and I like it! I really don't want to start a long project if I can avoid it.

Thanks,

Michael;.
 
island mike

island mike

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Re: Drain Plug Help

michael,
I would seriously think twice before taking the kids out for a fun ride..Your boat is not safe..
Truth is.. you bought a project boat !
Not to worry we have all been there,if you really want to get her back in shape or even better you are in the right place. Lots and lots of wisdom here.
Check out the restore threads,It gives you an idea of what you can expect..
Welcome aboard!
 
island mike

island mike

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Re: Drain Plug Help

michael,First boat huh?
I would seriously think twice before taking the kids out for a fun ride..Your boat is not safe..
Truth is.. you bought a project boat !
Not to worry we have all been there,if you really want to get her back in shape or even better you are in the right place. Lots and lots of wisdom here.
Check out the (restore) threads,It gives you an idea of what you can expect..
Welcome aboard!
Regards I mike
 
Howard Sterndrive

Howard Sterndrive

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Re: Drain Plug Help

I agree with island mike. It appears from our limited perspective of digital photos that plywood was just slapped over a rotten transom to hide the structural issues. If that drain hole is centered, the whole engine and drive are off to one side. The boat wouldn't steer well like that. Loose, rotten lag bolts say rot everywhere.
Sorry, no words of encouragement here either. All voices of experience will say ditch that project.
 
bruceb58

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Re: Drain Plug Help

And, that stringer drive relies only on the motor mount/stringer connection so that better be absolutely sound or you could have a dangerous situation if something decided to tear loose. Best case is that your boat would sink when the failure occurs. I don't even want to think what could also happen.
 
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Michael_Perazzo

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Re: Drain Plug Help

Here are a few more pics. The transom does look like it was redone with a new piece over the old. It has been fiber glassed at the top and has a thin covering over the bare wood... the inside of the holes is unprotected tho. You can the see the fiberglass at the top and bottom in one of the pics.

I am going to check and see what kind of shape the engine mounts and bolts are in and take it from there I guess.

Might end up getting the engine running and sell it as a good engine and trailer with a bad boat attached.

Thanks for all of the responses!

Michael.
 

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island mike

island mike

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Re: Drain Plug Help

Michael_Perazzo said:
Here are a few more pics. The transom does look like it was redone with a new piece over the old. It has been fiber glassed at the top and has a thin covering over the bare wood... the inside of the holes is unprotected tho. You can the see the fiberglass at the top and bottom in one of the pics.

I am going to check and see what kind of shape the engine mounts and bolts are in and take it from there I guess.

Might end up getting the engine running and sell it as a good engine and trailer with a bad boat attached.

Thanks for all of the responses!

Michael.
Click to expand...

In your first pictures your transom looked like a bare piece of wood,Now we can see that its resin coated.Not even glassed.
Even worse that its slapped onto the old one.....
And it just gets worse from there on...
Unless you have a peculiar affection for this boat and want to invest money and time in it to repair it, I agree with what you said and sell it for parts,And move on to a good,safe boat.
Look at it as an learning experience ,Now you know what to look for when bying a boat..
good luck michael. Keep us posted.
Regards I mike
 
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