All:<br />Have a 89 20' VIP Victory with 5.0 Cobra. First year owned, our family put 46 hours on it and it looks and runs like a champ. We have loved it. It has always been a trailer boat, never stored in the water and now has 491 hours.<br /><br />I noticed some water coming in during cruises, but kept on it with bilge pump. One time left in water overnight and pumped out 3 gallons in the morning. Could see small trickle from right side of engine/transom when doing contortionist positions looking into the engine compartment.<br /><br />When taking to winterize, my guy showed me that the bellows were OK, but when the outdrive was moved right or left, the transom flexed a bit and water could get in on the left side of the engine mount (looking at the stern from outside). He "knocked" on the wood and said it sounded ok, but maybe one area sounded sort of hollow.<br /><br />He said it could be 2 items:<br />1. Bolts loose and transom gasket needs to be replaced.<br />2. Transom Rot. <br /><br />He is pulling the engine to get to the area from the inside tonight/tomorrow to see how bad it is. I am hoping for #1, and preparing for #2.<br /><br />Question (I knew I had one somewhere)<br />A. How likely is it that tightening bolts/new gasket will solve this? Anyone successfully done this? <br /><br />B. If transom rot, I hear prices between $1,000 and $3,000 to fix. Anyone have experience with this type of repair?<br /><br />Any words of wisdom will be appreciated.
