Gelcoat cracks around mercruiser transom plate opinions and repair questions.

[kccoe]

Pickup a 1998 baja sidewinder 320 hrs . Left in water during part of summers under cover slip so it does has a few areas of small bb blisters on bottom of hull, not many . Need some thoughts on what to do to gel coat cracks around outdrive plate No leaks so far but want to prevent transom rot . Transom and stringers , limber holes and upper deck very solid . I want to pull the motor and transom plate to repair cracks. The black caulk is not normal I am sure of that unless it was something that Baja did on that model or was done later if transom seal was replace . Any thoughts or I am worrying too much ?

 

[Scott06]

normally when somebody runs a bead of sealant around the transom housing it is leaking either from a drive impact or rotten transom. Did you drill into the wood of the transom to verify they are sound? Are u sure that is gel coat and not a repaint of the boat? If the transom is indeed sound leave it alone IMHO. I suspect the boat was painted and u see some peel back around where it was taped off and hard to prep for good paint bite.
big issue i see is why did some one seal that area. I would be worried about loose transom plate nuts and rot. If thats not there look ate the bow and enjoy it

 

[kccoe]

No core samples … but I did use a moisture meter had no significant readings inside or out . Tap with mallet. Transom hardware seems tight. Hopefully transom ok .

 

[jbcurt00]

No core samples....
... Hopefully transom ok .

Pull the drive and confirm

There is a reason its caulked, drive strike possibly, which could lead to transom rot

 

[88 Capri (2022 SOTY)]

Tapping with a mallet will not give you a true answer in regards to rot or no rot.

 

[Scott06]

No core samples … but I did use a moisture meter had no significant readings inside or out . Tap with mallet. Transom hardware seems tight. Hopefully transom ok .

Ive never had to deal with transom rot but general consensus is you can only really tell by drilling , if wood shavings come out dry just seal with 5200.

transom hardware being tight is a good sign.

 

[zool]

A: That looks like paint peeling as stated above, plus gel doesnt peel, it chips.

B: If it aint broke, dont fix it.

If ur not getting water in the bilge, and you dont have any stress cracks on the outer skin, imo, there no need to pull a running drivetrain. Use it and see if u have any water intrusion, aside from bellows issues.

PS Some people caulk the shield, cuz they dont know any better, doesnt mean its broken.

 

[Scott Danforth]

A: That looks like paint peeling as stated above, plus gel doesnt peel, it chips.

B: If it aint broke, dont fix it.

If ur not getting water in the bilge, and you dont have any stress cracks on the outer skin, imo, there no need to pull a running drivetrain. Use it and see if u have any water intrusion, aside from bellows issues.

PS Some people caulk the shield, cuz they dont know any better, doesnt mean its broken.

look closer zool, that is a chip of gel coming loose and retained by the caulk

 

[zool]

look closer zool, that is a chip of gel coming loose and retained by the caulk

Yeah Scott, I see it now zoomed, thats chipped gel.

 

[kccoe]

Here is few more photos . Pulled the caulk off not as much chipping or cracking as I thought but looks like flaking gel coat with a crack or two . Looks to be Very thin Peeling . Anyhow will need attention

 

[kccoe]

Here is few more photos . Pulled the caulk off not as much chipping or cracking as I thought but looks like flaking gel coat with a crack or two . Looks to be Very thin Peeling . Anyhow will need attention

 

[kccoe]

 

[Scott06]

Might be why the sealant was put there to keep it from shipping more. As long as transom is truly solid you 'll be ok.

Looks like in this photo there are two layers of yellow? either re gelcoated or painted?

 

[rustybronco]

Looks like at least some of the boat has been repainted.

 

[jhande]

Looks like possibly the gel coat cracked and someone painted over it without sanding it smooth and flush.

My question would be "why" did the gel coat crack like that?

 

[88 Capri (2022 SOTY)]

I've come across where spider cracks had formed in the gelcoat on the transom and were covered up with gelcoat and or paint to cosmetically make it look new again but with the owner not realizing why they formed. I'm not saying this is your situation but just input is all.
Was the whole boat repainted at some time?

 

[Grub54891]

Looks like paint to me. If the hull was neglected, some will paint them to make it look nice again. taping around the transom housing the easy way, then add caulk to cover the paint line.