cracked transom on a bass boat

[tc3drivers]

Looked at a fiberglass Sprint bass boat yesterday. The transom is cracked below the upper jackplate mount screws. No other cracks anywhere else. Since I have only owned alum boats in the past, the fiberglass hulls are new to me. Look at the pic and let me know if it is serious or not and if I should stay away from this boat? The owner says its due to the 250hp sitting on the back of it and all bass boats do this. Thanks!!

 

[a70eliminator]

Re: cracked transom on a bass boat

Could be superficial cracks in the gelcoat, but that area being the spalsh well if the cracks are clear through there is rot.

 

[ezmobee]

Re: cracked transom on a bass boat

Could also be a rotten/failed transom.

 

[pbmang]

Re: cracked transom on a bass boat

I would avoid it personally but an easy way to check for rot is to trim the motor up. Then, go push down on the prop/skeg area and see if the transom flexes at all. If it does, it's rotted.

However, just because it doesn't flex does not mean that there isn't water in the transom. Any time you mix wood with water, it will rot.

The best advice I would give you is to check the cracks, and see if they look like they go all the way through the fiberglass (like mentioned above). If they do, I would move on. If not, check to see if the transom flexes.

 

[reelfishin]

Re: cracked transom on a bass boat

Looks to me like the wood inside has gotten soft from rot or just being wet. Look at how the washer is caved in. If the wood was strong, and still completely filling the gap in between it wouldn't bend or compress like that. Chances are the wood is rotted. If not, someone way overtightened that bolt, leading to those cracks, and therefore most likely letting water into the transom wood anyhow.

 

[tc3drivers]

Re: cracked transom on a bass boat

Thanks for the info everyone!!! I will be looking at the boat again this evening and post back.

 

[180shabah]

Re: cracked transom on a bass boat

waitin to hear the update...

 

[Bob's Garage]

Re: cracked transom on a bass boat

While you are looking at this boat again, check the capacity plate for engine size. I don't know squat about bass boats, but a casual search of Sprint boats showed me a max engine on a 21' boat of 200hp, and 150hp on a 185 model.

If the engine is greatly over sized then that could be part of the problem.

I also agree that it appears the bolt was over tightened, compressing the transom substrate, cracking the gel coat.

This would indicate to me that then installation may have loosened up due to "rot" requiring tightening and cracking was a result.

More specific information as to the age, model, etc. would enable the on site experts to assist you in a meaningful way.

 

[marcortez]

Re: cracked transom on a bass boat

The owner says its due to the 250hp sitting on the back of it and all bass boats do this. Thanks!!

That previous owner is a liar. "All boats do this" is a famous phrase for making an excuse about a fault or problem.
Tread carefully on what else he has to say.

 

[seabob4]

Re: cracked transom on a bass boat

The owner says its due to the 250hp sitting on the back of it and all bass boats do this. Thanks!!

That previous owner is a liar. "All boats do this" is a famous phrase for making an excuse about a fault or problem.
Tread carefully on what else he has to say.

Guess I must look at ALL of the boats that moron doesn't see...

 

[tc3drivers]

Re: cracked transom on a bass boat

Sorry for not replying back, we had an awesome weekend weatherwise and I took my kids fishing. This is a 2000 Sprint 207 fish and ski model that is rated to a 225hp (I read that somewhere) so it is overpowered. When I looked at the boat again, I can put my fingernail into the crack and I'm not sure if its the top gel coat or broken all the way through. How thick is the fiberglass in this area? I have heard all kinds of excuses as to why boats have a particular defect. On a bassboat, is the wood on the transom visible if I did some digging below the deck? Would the lower jackplate mount screws be buried and not visible? Seems everyone just wants to sell and they don't care if they pass junk. I'm looking for a safe boat to bring my kids out fishing on the weekends. Thanks!!

 

[metriccrescentwrench]

Re: cracked transom on a bass boat

I've replaced transoms in 2 boats now, so have more experience with this than the average boater.

Don't waste your time with this particular boat, the transom has already started to rot. Putting a 250 on a bass boat rated for 225 in itself isn't necessarily a big deal, but a big engine on a weakened transom is. Tell the guy he's got a rotting transom, that he's selling an unsafe boat, and then walk away. Keep looking until you find something without such major issues.

 

[tc3drivers]

Re: cracked transom on a bass boat

The guy liquidated the boat before I had a chance to get back to him. I agree, the transom was not 100% and I appreciate all the help I rec'd on this forum. Thanks!!

 

[Steve.Eric]

Re: cracked transom on a bass boat

FYI...... there is no wood in the transom or stringers of that boat.......completely composit.