Transom and stringers problems

[fishaman]

Hi All,

I am looking at a boat, a 1996 bayliner 2859, and the stringers and transom look somewhat suspicious to me.

- The front motor mounts sit on plywood spacers... is it normal?
- Both stringers have stress cracks between the motor mount and the transom... should I be worried?
- Transom gelcoat is warped a bit directly above the sterndrive... strait vertical dent, no cracks ?
- It looks like some caulking was done around the transom assembly on the outside... looks not good to me...

Is there any chance this boat does not have a rotten transom?
Any comments will be greatly appreciated.

Thank you,
Alex

 

[Another retired guy]

Re: Stringers and transom question

Re: Stringers and transom question

Doesn't sound good to me Walk away from it!

 

[tpenfield]

Re: Stringers and transom question

Re: Stringers and transom question

I think there are only 2 chances that is does not have rot . . . Slim and none.

 

[fishaman]

Transom and stringers problems

Hi All,

I posted it originally in Mercruiser forum, but it got moved to "not motor related boat questions". I think it will be an appropriate topic for the experts in "Fiberglass Hull repair". Anyway, the original post is at:

http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?t=576074

Any comments will be greatly appreciated.

Thank you,
Alex

 

[Alwhite00]

Re: Stringers and transom question

Re: Stringers and transom question

I'm guessing it is rotted but rap on it with a mallet and see what it sounds like. Also, Give teh outdrive a good shake and see if it moves at all. (Be careful so it doesn't fall on your foot if it lets loose)

LK

 

[GT1000000]

Re: Transom and stringers problems

Hi fishaman,

Saw your other thread...

Sounds like this is an I/O...Motor mounts having plywood spacers...doesn't sound Kosher...

Stringers with stress cracks...mmmmm, nope, not good...

Gel coat scar, possibly a replaced transom at some point...maybe, done from the outside, not the preferred way but adequate if done right, still I would be wary...especially with that scar running down the center...things that make you go, Hmmmmm...

Caulking around the transom, doesn't look good to you, doesn't sound good to me...

Unless the owner is willing to give you an iron clad, no questions asked, written in triplicate, signed by several high priced lawyers, registered at the local court house Guarantee that the boat is in excellent, perfect condition, and the price is right...I would go with my gut instinct and walk away...

If, however, you are a gambler, and are willing to take a very risky chance on it...odds are NOT in your favor...go for it...worst case scenario is you end up in the restoration section, head and shoulders deep in fiberglass dust, completely gutting it and then either restoring it or using the good parts from it to rebuild a tin boat and taking whats left to the dump......

Best of Luck,
GT1M

 

[emoney]

Re: Stringers and transom question

Re: Stringers and transom question

Take a crescent wrench and a screwdriver and remove something that's mounted to the transom, like that eye hook for example, and have a look see for yourself. It's always better to confirm than to speculate. I'm sure the current owner isn't in the "drill a few spots" mood, but a lot of times you can just pull off a transducer or speedometer spito (sp?) and the screw ends will tell a tale.

 

[emoney]

Re: Transom and stringers problems

Alex, it would probably be better to PM a Moderator and ask them to combine these two threads in this particular forum. Just a thought.

 

[Bondo]

Re: Stringers and transom question

Re: Stringers and transom question

Alex, it would probably be better to PM a Moderator and ask them to combine these two threads in this particular forum. Just a thought.

Ayuh,.... So done,.... Same answer though,.... Slim to None.....

I think there are only 2 chances that is does not have rot . . . Slim and none.

 

[fishaman]

Re: Stringers and transom question

Re: Stringers and transom question

Thank you all for the replies, I really appreciate it.
The transom was never replaced, so it looks like the answer is pretty clear, transom repair should be done.

I do not mind doing it, but at this time the price is not really a basement bargain. How much would you estimate the transom repair will cost?

Also, if the outer layer of the fiberglass had delaminated from the rotten core, and warped a bit, will it be possible to straiten it during the repair, or I will have to grind it from the outside?

Thanks again, all my previous experience is with a smaller boat, your advice is really important to me.

Alex

 

[GT1000000]

Re: Stringers and transom question

Re: Stringers and transom question

OK, first of all...you already bought this boat?

Second, if you did...start at the beginning...a thorough and complete inspection, including taking core samples of the transom, stringers, etc...

Third, post up a ton of pictures of what you have going on, it makes it easier for us to see what you are seeing...

A very basic estimate is between 1-5 thousand dollars for a complete restoration of the structural part of the boat, that can include the deck, stringers and transom, if you do all the work yourself...it is such a wide range because so many factors come into play, the size of the boat{28 foot?}, the amounts of materials, your location {shipping costs of materials}, etc. etc...

If the driveline is in perfect condition, that's a plus, otherwise...you could easily add hundreds or even thousands to that figure...

Then there is all the peripheral stuff like the electrical system, gauges, etc...

BTW, if this is a 28 foot boat, you could almost double that estimate...just beware...most of the complete boat restorations that are done by us amateurs are in the 12-21 foot range...

And if the answer to first question is yes, well then, welcome to the dry dock...