Rate my Transom!

[Ben78]

Hi All, this is my first post here, and the recent purchase of a 20 year old Cruise Craft has me firmly planted in the world of old Glass! I figured that any old glass boat I bought would need a bit of TLC and or repairs/maintenance, but my transom has me a little worried.

When I swung on the motor like this when I was first checking the boat out it barely moved, there was a little, but not much. Now that I have had it out at sea a couple of times, it seems to have softened up. The boat had about 14 hours use in last 2 years. Is it possible for a transom to dry out and not move then once it gets wet to start flexing again?

As someone who has not owned a glass boat before, or even seen a soft transom I am interested in how far gone mine is, and how soon it'll be before I have to get the grinder out?

I made a little video and put in on youtube, any comments would be appreciated!

Thanks

Ben

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xzIEq4Tk240

 

[redfury]

Re: Rate my Transom!

It's definitely not rock solid. I'd consider doing the transom if you plan to keep the boat, though you'd get a better idea of the stress on the transom with the motor putting a load on it in the water. Anyway you look at it though, movement will eventually cause failure due to stress on the fiberglass skin on the outside, and the wood on the inside.

You may want to look into seeing how much water is actually getting into that boat when you are out on the water...you may have a hidden leak somewhere if you are taking on any water which you will need to address first, or a transom replacement will be pretty pointless.

 

[NSBCraig]

Re: Rate my Transom!

I'd be worried if mine moved like that.

 

[Ben78]

Re: Rate my Transom!

A trip to sea on the weekend with forecast 1.5-2m seas and 1-2m swell (it was actually about that) and actual 15kt winds saw plenty of water inside the splashwell and a little in the fuel tank well. When I returned to the ramp I don't believe any water came out of the actual hull bung, only the tank well bung. I believe water has gotten in through the top of the transom where the aluminium capping is, and also through the splashwell drains and a couple of other holes.


I think I'll fit an inspection port to the floor and force dry the hull void and take it out and see if any water is getting in there.

 

[drewmitch44]

Re: Rate my Transom!

"hull bung" I like that. Its like the buthole of the boat.

 

[eli_lilly]

Re: Rate my Transom!

I made a little video and put in on youtube, any comments would be appreciated!

My transom flexes that much, it's never been rebuilt, and the hull was made in 1969. I plan on replacing it next year.

-E