Drain Plug Rot

[b16fy]

Hello, first post here. I just picked up a 1990 211 Mako from Michigan.

While I was sanding the bottom paint off, preparing to do a barrier/bottom paint job, I noticed softness around the drain plug. I sanded down through the gelcoat to find the outside fiberglass to be pretty soft around that area -- with the rest of the area in good shape. As you can tell from the image some of the softness runs up along the edge of the bottom transom. I also assume the "flake" or "crack" that was present before i sanded let a good amount of water trickle in and sit in the bilge.

Any thoughts on how to tackle this? I'm pretty new to glass repairs. Would I grind around then lay new glass down? There seems to be a core fiberglass structure behind this thinner layer on the outside, and that seems solid.

 

[JimS123]

You have a 30 year old boat that is beyond its normal usable practical lifespan. It may require a total rebuild of the innards. What you have identified is a probable rotten transom. If that is the case, the deck and stringers are all probably compromised as well. You need to start investigating from the inside to see the extent of the damage.

 

[Scott Danforth]

Fiberglass boats are designed to last 15 years. Anything past that is a bonus.

Since the 2022's are now being built, your boat is 32 years old and your transom is soft, guaranteed you find other issues. I would plan on a full hull restoration

 

[crazy charlie]

Dont let these guys scare you ....at least not just yet.What I see in the pic looks like it may have been previously repaired by the different colors.I have owned (and still do own ) several fiberglass boats far older than what they claim is the "lifespan".Get a professional opinion before any panic.I have a friend that has done EXTENSIVE fiberglassing and restoration and I remember him mentioning something similar years ago.I think he said that he cut the entire drain out with a larger hole saw.Epoxied the hole with West system and then drilled out a new drain hole and 5200d a brass sleeve in the new drain.hope this Helps.Charlie

 

[briangcc]

Boats rot from bottom up, not top down. First spot is either stringers or drain plug since they're more than likely not sealed properly. A 30+ yr old boat probably didn't have the best QC when it was assembled...ahem slapped together.

So...once the transom starts rotting around the drain plug its going to wick that moisture into the rest of the transom and start rotting it. Matter of when, not if.

So the advice to poke your head inside the boat and start investigating what's going on should be followed.

I wouldn't try a band-aid solution as my family and friends who board my boat are irreplaceable...although sometimes I wish they were

 

[racerone]

Get rid of that copper tube thingy.------Repair / fix the voids in the glass ( Monday morning type work ) from factory.------Find a new drain plug fitting.----The kind with say 3 bolts going through transom and a pipe plug.----On my project I am getting rid of that and custom plate with pipe plug going on there.

 

[Ray74]

Those classic makos are tanks and built to last. Maybe check out the classic mako forum's. Alot of knowledge about these old hulls there. Someone can steer you in the right direction.