87 Lund pro Angler 16 - transom question - rot or not?

[ghostntheshell]

1987 Lund pro Angler 16

There is no motor on it - but I have a brand new yamaha F50 waiting to go on it.

Is there any real way to assess the transom without having a motor on it?
I suppose I could pop the top cap off and have a peak - but that’s really only going to show me the very tipy top.

I’m looking at 2k to have a new one installed. Which is reasonable to me.

But if I don’t need one in the first place that’s a better scenario.

 

[todhunter]

Drill 1/4" core samples near the bottom and evaluate the wood chips that come out. If they are dark and/or wet, you should probably replace the transom. If they are light in color and dry, fill the hole you drilled with 3M 5200 and call it a day.

 

[Baylinerchuck]

+1 on what @todhunter said. It’s the only way to really know if the transom core is good.