transom guestions

[1beanie]

my aluminum starcraft superfisherman 1993 has a couple of holes in the transom i cant seam to keepm sealed and a white pastie discharge comes from the holes the wood seems very thick and solid what do i have to look for in transom detection to see weather or not i need to replace it. The way the transom is it is sealed into the back area i wouldnt know where to start to even replace it if i needed to thanks guys again

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: transom guestions

have you tried using marine JB Weld, to fill the holes.

 

[fwmud]

Re: transom guestions

"White pasty"? Sounds like putty or homeownwers silicon to me.
If you can't weld, try googleing "Durafix". It's a rod that you use with an regular propane tourch to weld aluinum.
Pay close attention to use a new stainless steel brush to clean the area first.
I've used it a couple times for a friend before I got a wire welder.

 

[Marcq]

Re: transom guestions

my aluminum starcraft superfisherman 1993 has a couple of holes in the transom i cant seam to keepm sealed and a white pastie discharge comes from the holes the wood seems very thick and solid what do i have to look for in transom detection to see weather or not i need to replace it. The way the transom is it is sealed into the back area i wouldnt know where to start to even replace it if i needed to thanks guys again

Good luck man, I have the same problem with a 1997 Wako bass boat, no mater what we used after a week it bubbles out and we have to start all over again. It looks like it's corrosion that's eating the aluminum slowly releasing this green liquid with some kind of gray looking paste. we have the boat for sale right now but can't sell it in that condition, looks like I'll have to replace the the aluminum sheet that covers the transom, bummer

Marc..

 

[1beanie]

Re: transom guestions

yeah man its is a bummer indeed its a pain in the *** like the blob attacking the transom is still solid thats what i dont understand. I bought that brazing kit ill give it a shot thanks

 

[JoeCrow]

Re: transom guestions

Have you tried Marine Tex?
I (and a lot of other people) swear by that stuff

 

[1beanie]

Re: transom guestions

yeah man i will give that stuff a shot and see how it works thanks again

 

[fwmud]

Re: transom guestions

I don't mean to sound like a know it all,but,
Are either of you guys using your boat as a ground?
As in you don't have anything "lugged" or Grounded to the metal?
I.E Have anything electrical connected to the aluminum boat as say a groung or negitive wire bolted or connected to the aluminum?
The reason I'm asking is, it sounds like by the colors you are describing and how long the "repairs" last.
(Just a thought)

 

[1beanie]

Re: transom guestions

i dont have any wires grounded to the boat anywhere. are u supposed to? the motor is grounded to the battery thats all no grounds to the actual boat though.

 

[1beanie]

Re: transom guestions

bump

 

[1beanie]

Re: transom guestions

anyone know are u suppossed to ground the boat?

 

[cprince]

Re: transom guestions

I'd like to know the answer to this question too...

Anyone?

 

[ssurfview]

Re: transom guestions

I have the same situation. I have watched it develop for the last three years and I am totally convinced after reading these threads that the white "paste, pus" is the result of a chemical reaction between the aluminum, the saltwater and the copper in the chemicals used to threat marine plywood. Does anyone know what we could inject between the plywood and the aluminum to neutralize this stuff?
Steve:

 

[Tim Frank]

Re: transom guestions

One of the very senior members gave the opinion (paraphrased slightly) that you "should absolutely never, under any circumstances, for any reason, even think about using an aluminum hull as a ground....especially if you are operating in salt water."
I think he probably understated the case!

Re: this pasty discharge....is it a white powder or an actual paste? Are these holes above the waterline or close enough that they are continuously getting wet?

 

[ssurfview]

Re: transom guestions

Thanks for the response.
The ground issue was my first thought. Negative to that. I rang out the electrical, everything has it's own return. I even disconnect the battery at the terminal when it is on the trailer.
2nd issue: Is if the white stuff is a paste or a powder? It is a paste, at least it when cleaning the boat after a day on the water. even when the boat has not been on the water, is is still a paste. The location of the holes is below the water line but well above the high bilge mark. I am sure the salt water works into it. somebody out there must have found a solution for this other than rebuilding the transom. Is there any point in keeping a sacrificial anode in the bilge?
Steve

 

[Nova II 260]

Re: transom guestions

I've used Lab-Metal by Alvin on my aluminum Tracker (old transducer holes and such)
A bit expensive but, works really well. Easy to work with, paintable and lasts forever. Be sure and follow the instructions.
Bought it at Fastenal But should be available at any welding or industrial supply house.

 

[Tim Frank]

Re: transom guestions

Thanks for the response.
2nd issue: Is if the white stuff is a paste or a powder? It is a paste, at least it when cleaning the boat after a day on the water. even when the boat has not been on the water, is is still a paste. The location of the holes is below the water line but well above the high bilge mark. I am sure the salt water works into it. somebody out there must have found a solution for this other than rebuilding the transom. Is there any point in keeping a sacrificial anode in the bilge?
Steve

If the weeping material is in fact a paste, there must be moisture coming from somewhere and I would want to eliminate that rather than just to seal it in.
Are there any through transom penetrations that are nearby and might be the source?

 

[ssurfview]

Re: transom guestions

You have brought up a very intresting observation, At each of the points of corrosion, there is some sort of fastener within 3". In three of places, the fastener is what. the manufacturer installed to bolt the transome board to the Aluminum skin. I will investigate this week. I think your point is, stop the water. That will stop the rot.