Rotted Transom.... Solid???

[RetiredSoldier919]

My bargain($2500) 1986 190 Horizon has a rotted transom. However the outboard seems solidly mounted. I trimmed it all the way up and pulled up on the lower half. The transom doesn't flex at all. I tapped around the outside of the transom, where the OB is mounted, and it sounds solid. A nice sharp knock. I drilled some inspection holes in the transom from the inside. The bit went in without any resistance, some spots the bit came out wet. I can't figure out what is holding the outboard so firmly. I'm not likely to be replacing the transom because I don't have the time to do it and I just want to be boating in my spare time. So with that in mind I've just been treating it with Minwax consolidant and Elmers wood restorer. In the pic you can see the white stuff, that's the Elmers. What is left is real solid now, just not very much left. I hope to get maybe the rest of this season and next year out of it. I'll probably keep the Mercury 150HP OB and part out some of the better parts. Then buy a boat and add my OB.

 

[andgott]

Re: Rotted Transom.... Solid???

Going to use it as is? Update that life insurance policy.

And, I hope you don't expect someone to risk their necks to come out and pluck you from the water when she goes down.

Seriously- Transom rot is not a small thing. You should NOT use a boat with a rotten transom... Period.

 

[GT1000000]

Re: Rotted Transom.... Solid???

Yeah, sorry RetiredSoldier919, I gotta agree with "andgott"...you'd better make sure the life insurance premiums are paid up and always wear your life jacket, even sitting still...remember, being out on the water in a boat is a lot like flying in a plane, you can't just pull over...

 

[Decker83]

Re: Rotted Transom.... Solid???

++1^^^^ You are putting yourself and any others in danger with a boat like this. You can not tell how bad the transom is by hitting it with a hammer. It may sound good, but you can't see how bad the rot is. I have personal seen a gut hit a large under water stump and the transom gave away and the motor fliped over inside the boat with the prop going full speed. It wasn't a pleasent site to see. The guy in the boat was very lucky the prop didn't hit him before he got the motor turned off.
Just a thought.

 

[marauder11]

Re: Rotted Transom.... Solid???

Would you use your truck if the brakes where not working? Drive at night if head lights wheren't? It is really something that has been talked to death here. Common response is do not use it or limp it thru till next year. I have family and friends who are first responders and I hate the strory's they tell of having to put life at risk to help people who make bad choices.

 

[catfishcarl99]

Re: Rotted Transom.... Solid???

ya thats like driving down the highway doing a wheelie on a motorcycle with no front wheel. your fine till ya have to come down. you hit something you could be in serious trouble. and since were in the worst drought in decades thats a real possibility in these low waters.

 

[RetiredSoldier919]

Re: Rotted Transom.... Solid???

Your responses are greatly appreciated. And give me great pause in my choice to use the boat as is. I will likely keep the motor and find a better boat. I'm thinking a pontoon. This one is proving to be too small and too costly to repair. Thx.

 

[jigngrub]

Re: Rotted Transom.... Solid???

Your responses are greatly appreciated. And give me great pause in my choice to use the boat as is. I will likely keep the motor and find a better boat. I'm thinking a pontoon. This one is proving to be too small and too costly to repair. Thx.

That would be a better choice if you don't want to repair that hull. I say hull instead of transom because you more than likely have more problems than just a rotten transon, more than likely your floatation foam is saturated and your stringers are rotten too. They all 3 go hand in hand on fiberglass boats, it's rare to find one and not the other 2.

When you bought that boat, you paid $2500 for the motor, trailer, and any nice accessories on the boat... the rotten hull was free.

 

[RetiredSoldier919]

Re: Rotted Transom.... Solid???

That would be a better choice if you don't want to repair that hull. I say hull instead of transom because you more than likely have more problems than just a rotten transon, more than likely your floatation foam is saturated and your stringers are rotten too. They all 3 go hand in hand on fiberglass boats, it's rare to find one and not the other 2.

When you bought that boat, you paid $2500 for the motor, trailer, and any nice accessories on the boat... the rotten hull was free.

You're right, the motor/controls are great. The trailer is a nice galvanized model. It came with lots of extras. I didn't have to buy anything to make it legal on the water. I got a wakeboard, skis & all the ropes needed. So I feel that even with the rotten hull I got a good deal. I think I can find a motor-less boat to get to a safe setup. Now I know what to take a closer look at.

 

[jigngrub]

Re: Rotted Transom.... Solid???

You're right, the motor/controls are great. The trailer is a nice galvanized model. It came with lots of extras. I didn't have to buy anything to make it legal on the water. I got a wakeboard, skis & all the ropes needed. So I feel that even with the rotten hull I got a good deal. I think I can find a motor-less boat to get to a safe setup. Now I know what to take a closer look at.

Consider yourself very fortunate, yours was cheap education. Some folks wind up paying much more with little to show for it which makes for an expensive education.

We see this scenario on this forum a lot and I don't know how some of the low life sellers can live with themselves and sleep at night.

 

[69starcraft]

Re: Rotted Transom.... Solid???

I really don't like the music, but this video really sums up those "solid Transoms"

http://youtu.be/S9KDg1vaLGU


A transom on a boat I bought once felt ok with the motor on it, but I actually dug most of it out with a spoon later that day