Transom leaking

[cusack]

I just recently bought a 1987 15ft Starcraft bass boat that has a 90HP Mercury. It had a bad switchbox AKA PowerPak so I changed that and got it up and running We put it in the water for the first time today and other than some carb issues the boat is running fairly ok and cruised around for almost an hour.

Initially after I bought it there was a few some small holes that was drilled on the back of the transom where I'm assuming that went to a fish finder but I filled those holes with 3M 5200 several days ago. I also put some of that 5200 all around the other plugs. Now my major concern and problem is we pulled the plug after getting it out of the water and about 2 gallons of water poured out!

The transom seems solid when I tap on it and I don't see any other holes anywhere. I just bought this boat and am now thinking about scrapping it and selling it because I don't have a lot of money to sink into it. Any advice or ideas on where to proceed or what to do?

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Transom leaking

aluminum boat correct? put the plug in put some water in the boat, and look on the outside for leaks. if it get is it will get out. also are you using new drain plugs, and what type?

 

[cusack]

Re: Transom leaking

No, this is a fiberglass boat. Any ideas?

 

[Mark42]

Re: Transom leaking

Fist check the plug and drain hole. Its a common place for leaks and easy to fix.

If it takes the rubber plug, be sure you have the plug with a T handle and NOT a flip lever. Flip lever plugs are generally for live wells, and do not seal well as a transom plug. Get T handle plugs if you need them. Also, check the rubber for cracks and splits that will let water in. Also check the plug hole for corrosion. Its usually a brass sleeve, so take some steel wool and polish up the drain hole so the rubber plug can seal well. Be sure to tighten rubber plugs as tight as you can with your hand, and then I give a half turn with a tool on my key ring.

If it has the brass threaded plug, clean the threads with a bottle brush or the like, and make sure the plug is really brass and not a steel pipe plug. If it still leaks, try some tefleon pipe thread sealer.

After checking out the drain plug and your sure it is tight, take it out again and see if it still leaks.

 

[Stoutcat]

Re: Transom leaking

Hi Cusack,

You wrote...

The transom seems solid when I tap on it and I don't see any other holes anywhere. I just bought this boat and am now thinking about scrapping it and selling it because I don't have a lot of money to sink into it. Any advice or ideas on where to proceed or what to do?

My $.02...

* First, find out the actual condition of the boat. Tapping the transom may not be a good indicator of the condition of it. Search this site and there are a ton of posts explaining how to drill test to check whether the transom has rotted.

* Does the deck have any "soft" spots? If so, the deck, stringers, and/or flotation might be cooked. Again, search this site for great explanation.

* I think someone else asked about not having "a lot of money..." Good question. Add to that the question, "How much time do you want to devote to fixing stuff?"

Alan

 

[Matrex]

Re: Transom leaking

I had a similar mystery. Lots of water, couldn't see where it was coming in. I pulled everything out of the inside aft of the boat so I could actually see the transom as good as possible, like the back seats and seat backs, the lower splashwell cover, then used the boat. It became pretty obvious. Could see water pouring in everytime we did a hole shot - through the splashwell drain and under the aluminum transom cap....and also when the swim ladder was used water came in through the holes there. Bottom line - transom was about as strong as balsa wood. I have replaced it ($300 materials) and am now doing the stringers and floor.

 

[cusack]

Re: Transom leaking

Mark42:

You offered some great advice. Let me add that I'm pretty sure that the drain plug hole tube is plastic...I think. I need to inspect it again to be sure (the boat is at my uncles) but from what I remember it looked to be plastic.
I do know that the drain plug is a flip type lever where you push it in, turn it several times and then flip the lever.

This is my first boat and yes I know I may sound stupid. (I'm trying to learn) but is any water whatsoever suppose to come out when you pull the plug?? Like I said before, I'm guessing it was about two gallons and the water flowed for about a minute.

So if the transom is not rotted is this an easy fix? Where can I get information about replacing the drain plug assembly or should I just try a new drain plug first?

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Transom leaking

this type drain plug is far superior, to the flip type. you insert, then tighten, it seals much better. they are made in several sizes, get the correct diameter for your drain. http://www.iboats.com/Brass_T_Handl...28067997--**********.623162041--view_id.50003

this is not the proper fitting, i can not find a picture, but i prefer this type for a replacement transom drain as you can seal the inside and outside.
http://www.iboats.com/Thru_Hull_Str...28067798--**********.623162041--view_id.56451

 

[Mark42]

Re: Transom leaking

There really should be no water coming out, if you do there is a leak or a lot of water came over the transom or bow. My MFG does get water when I don't tighten the drain plug well enough. It's the type TD linked to above. The Bayliner does not leak at all. After boating all day, the bilge is dry.

A good method of determining if the transom is wet/rotted is to take a drill with 1/4 or 3/8" bit and drill into the transom from the INSIDE. Wrap a piece of tape around the bit about 1/2 -3/4" from the end so you know how far in you are drilling (so you don't come out the other side!!!!). Drill a few holes as far down the transom as you have access (that is where the water will pool and things rot). Inspect the wood shavings that come out. If light and dry, its good. If light and wet, its good, but will eventually rot. If dark and wet or dark and moist, its rotten and has lost its strength. Also take an AWL and probe into the holes to see if the wood gives to probing. The harder the better.

If all is well, plug the holes with epoxy. Marine Tex is the best for this, but the basic "marine" grade epoxy in the double tube applicator from the hardware store will work too. Mix the epoxy, and if you want it thicker like putty, mix in some baking flower and it will thicken right up.

If water came out the holes, I suggest drilling holes about 1 1/2 inchs up from the lowest part of the transom (near keel) on the outside. Thats about as low as you can go and still hit wood. Let it drain well, maybe even put a vacume pump on it. Then plug the holes as above, and look for the source the leak.

Leaks come from through mountings, like motor mounting holes, swim platform screws, and anywhere that screws or bolts go through the transom or hull. Also inspect the bottom of the boat when on the trailer for screws coming out the bottom (don't laugh, lots of people have done this), cracks and puncture marks. These leaks should be fixed with Marine Tex.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Transom leaking

good stuff, Mark.

 

[mikesea]

Re: Transom leaking

Are you sure it wasnt rain water that has collected.Sounds like a dumb reply,but,unless your boat has no floor above the bottom,there are spaces whithin the structure of the boat ,like behind stringers,and with bouncing turns it can allow water to travel to stern area.Probably not the case,but maybe.Are there any other fitting ,like drain for fish/bait wells.They can crack and allow seepage,or get loose etc.As mark said ,the drain plug sleeve is a common area for leaks.Dont get discouraged.Your problem can easily /cheaply be fixed.I just did the whole transom of my boat.My labor for $300.Its a 23'.Do the water test and tell us what you find and how you fixed it if you do.Sharing problems AND solutions is the lesson here.Good Luck.Mike