Bought a rotted boat

[somerspeat]

Hi everyone, I’m new to this page and new to boating. Last week I bought a 1989 cutter boat with a 120hp evinrude outboard. I did a decent amount of research about transom rot and soft spots in fibreglass. But I apparently did not think to look in the bilge. And I feel sick to say I think my transom is rotted. The motor mount bolts are sunk into the fibreglass. It looks there has been square plates used to support the bolts. There also has been a half inch or so metal plate installed on the inside of the splash well for support. The outboard when pressed on does not bend or flex the transom at all. When knocking on the outside of the transom it sounds solid. But the inside has cracks that are pretty big, I can even see soft wood on the floor of the bilge. I’m on a super calm lake this week with no waves so it’s been fine. But should I be worried about taking it to a bigger lake? Or even putting it in the water again? I don’t have the money to fix it, and even if I did I don’t think it would be worth it for the age of the boat. So my main question is, am I okay to keep using the boat for 2-3 years until I can buy a better one? My only intention with this boat was to see if my family and I are into boating at all and if not we don’t have much skin in the game.

 

[matt167]

Watch YouTube videos on boats where the transom collapsed and sinks. Then decide if your family is worth the risk. Floor is rotted so is transom

 

[briangcc]

I wouldn't trust it knowing the structural components are suspect - calm lake or not. One good wake could be all it needs to get the boat to say adios amigos. The stringers under your floor probably gave up the ghost long before the transom did.

There are plenty of people here that, just like you, bought what they thought was a water ready boat and, just like you, had no experience with these types of repairs. They've pulled off some amazing restorations and I have a feeling you could as well with the guidance from the peeps here. Key here is you have to be willing to dive in and repair it.

Look at it another way....do you think you could sell the boat, knowing what's currently wrong with it, to another family? If you're going the least expensive route to boat ownership, do you think, knowing what you know now, that a similarly priced boat won't have the same issues you have now?

I hate to be that guy but this might be one of those cases where belonging to a boat rental club might have been a better option to see if ownership was in the cards.

 

[somerspeat]

I wouldn't trust it knowing the structural components are suspect - calm lake or not. One good wake could be all it needs to get the boat to say adios amigos. The stringers under your floor probably gave up the ghost long before the transom did.

There are plenty of people here that, just like you, bought what they thought was a water ready boat and, just like you, had no experience with these types of repairs. They've pulled off some amazing restorations and I have a feeling you could as well with the guidance from the peeps here. Key here is you have to be willing to dive in and repair it.

Look at it another way....do you think you could sell the boat, knowing what's currently wrong with it, to another family? If you're going the least expensive route to boat ownership, do you think, knowing what you know now, that a similarly priced boat won't have the same issues you have now?

I hate to be that guy but this might be one of those cases where belonging to a boat rental club might have been a better option to see if ownership was in the cards.

I agree with that, tbh I don’t have much in it. I did some trading of stuff this summer. It’s kinda my hobby to keep trading up without putting extra money in. I trade…. Fix up a tiny bit… trade/sell. So I only have $1400 in this boat tbh. And they sell for 6-8k CAD. My father in law knows a ton about boats. He restored his 40ft sail boat. Haul, engine and everything else. So I know I could restore it. But it being a pretty small boat is it worth it?

 

[buxmj]

That is definitely a loaded question but will try to give you my .02. I am 5 years into my build but am enjoying the thought of finishing soon. These boats are not classic muscle cars so you most likely could never sell it for what you will have into it after restoration. What you will have is a boat that will most likely look better and definitely be safer than the day it left the factory. If it is done right it will last decades if taken care of. I said I am 5 years into my build, yours may take less time, might take a lot less. Look through some build threads here and some YouTube videos before you take the plunge. You might end up with a boat you don't want to get rid of and will enjoy for years. If you decide to not dive into the resto you can part it out and sell the motor and trailer and maybe get most of your money back. I definitely agree that you shouldn't pass the risk on to another family and don't take it out on the water yourself, not worth the risk. Good luck!

One thing to remember, the more rot you find, the easier it is tear to out!

 

[airshot]

Next time get your father in laws expertise before buying......now you understand why people buy aluminum boats....

 

[tpenfield]

Greetings . . .

Few if anyone will tell you it is 'OK' to use a boat with a compromised transom and structure. Your issue is where you go from here. . . Fix the boat or junk it?

Post some pictures for further guidance.