Transom repair

[ObieTiger]

I recently purchased a 1971 Larson Shark 165 with an 85 hp Evinrude outboard. This is a one owner boat (til now) boat, motor, and trailer all together for the last 42 years. Cleaning n inspecting before she goes into the water. So far everything looks good except a slight bow/sag in the transom. In front of the motor on the glass that covers the fuel tank is a slight crack. Any thoughts? Possible to reinforce? If it needs replaced, what does that process look like? Thnx in advance for your feedback

71 larson shark 165 with original convertible top

 

[coolbri70]

Re: Transom repair

i'm guessing the plywood core is rotted causing it to sag and crack the fiberglass, you need to dig it out and replace it with new plywood, to be safe take core samples on the inside, if you get light colored dry shavings then you are good to go

 

[Woodonglass]

Re: Transom repair

Hard to tell from the pic. If you bounce on the lower leg of the motor and the transom has any flex in it, any at all, then it's not good! A full transom replacement can be a time consuming task. Trying a "Band-Aid" Fix is not advisable, but is done by many with degrees of success. I would not want to take the risk if it were me and my loved ones in the boat. Do the "Bounce" Test and report back.

 

[ObieTiger]

Re: Transom repair

Hard to tell from the pic. If you bounce on the lower leg of the motor and the transom has any flex in it, any at all, then it's not good! A full transom replacement can be a time consuming task. Trying a "Band-Aid" Fix is not advisable, but is done by many with degrees of success. I would not want to take the risk if it were me and my loved ones in the boat. Do the "Bounce" Test and report back.

Transom has minimal flex when yanking ob. No creaking or cracking. Trying to upload some pics of the only area where glass damage is. I have someone telling me to put aluminum braces over the glass n clamping the ob on/through the bracing. Appreciate feedback. the crack you are looking at is directly between the ob mounting bolts on the fiberglass that sits over top the fuel tank (dont know what thats called, sorry)

 

[ObieTiger]

Re: Transom repair

i'm guessing the plywood core is rotted causing it to sag and crack the fiberglass, you need to dig it out and replace it with new plywood, to be safe take core samples on the inside, if you get light colored dry shavings then you are good to go

how far in should i drill and how do you patch up the hole?

 

[Bomber Goober]

Re: Transom repair

about and inch is good, make sure you do it from the inside low on the transom. Do not drill a hole in the outside of your boat. Not to be negative but if the transom had some flex most likely you are not going to have to worry about patching the hole.

 

[ObieTiger]

Re: Transom repair

Three things you don't wanna hear... Sorry bob but we're gonna have to let u go #2 remember that night 5 yrs ago? Well I'd like you to meet your son #3 looks like your transom is shot. I'm gonna man up n stop living in denial. The transom is sagging, has give when pulling the motor and there is a crack on the splash wall (right term?) looks like I've bought a $700 dollar project! How do I replace the transom on this boat? Can't believe I'm a week into owning my first boat and I'm already proving the bust out another thousand meme true !!!!!

 

[ObieTiger]

Re: Transom repair

Top off vs stern off? Two guys who are mechanically inclined with right tools, ballpark how many man hours n how much money. I like the boat. Worth the effort???

 

[coolbri70]

Re: Transom repair

took me all summer of weekends, but keeping up with other projects and my 1st time, waiting for money for supplies etc. I spent $1500 or so. now I think I could do it for less $ and in a week or so, if I went at it and had nothing else to do. this included the stringers and floor

 

[Woodonglass]

Re: Transom repair

Here's the issue. When the transom is gone, and your's is, more than likely the stringers will be too! The deck has to be removed as well. So you are looking at replacing all 3. To do this will cost approx $1,500 and 150 man hours. Now for the good news. When you are done. Your boat will prolly be better than factory, Will last as long as you keep a motor on her and you CAN'T find a boat like that Anywhere for $1,500 bucks. I think it's worth it, IF you like the style of the boat, and you're willing to put in the time and effort.

 

[ObieTiger]

Re: Transom repair

wish i would have listened. i had a gut feeling that the transom wasn't water worthy. had three guys with varying degrees of boating/restoration experience telling me i'd be fine. charged the battery, turned the motor over before heading to the lake (with baffles on of course) packed the trailer bearings, gotter legal, all safety gear in line, cleaned n ready to go, trailer lights all working properly etc etc. went to a local lake with one of previously mentioned boaters and two passengers and the boat ran like a top. engine, controls, etc all worked perfectly. went to another lake two days later and once again performed flawlessly. near the end of the day i took a fourth and final trip that almost cost me the boat. halfway through the trip i noticed water in the back, not enough to sink her initially but enough to concern me. floored the boat hoping to get back to the dock in time. by the time i got back to the dock the water had receded (bilge pump i suppose) so i went to get the truck/trailer. by the time i returned with the trailer the boat was taking water. by the time i had it lined up to the end of the trailer the tail was almost sunk with the motor about to get dunked. literally made it by the skin of my teeth. thankfully i gotter on the trailer and saved the motor from rebuild. it was a close call that should never have happened. cant believe i was so foolish. once on the trailer i noticed the problem, the bottom motor mount bolts had broken through the transom. should've listened to my gut and the advice i received here.

 

[Bomber Goober]

Re: Transom repair

WOW. First I'm glad your ok, Could have been a lot worse for you and any passengers. Luckily the motor didn't take a dive. Post some pics of the damage. Luckily you can still rebuild this boat and make it SAFE.

 

[Woodonglass]

Re: Transom repair

PLEASE post some pics to go along with this story. It will be a Testament for future iBoaters who have the same emotions that you had. You might be able to convince them that it's not worth taking the chance!!!! A Picture is worth a Thousand words!!!!

 

[jbcurt00]

Re: Transom repair

Good to hear you, the boat & all aboard didn't need rescue.

Yeah, that little nagging voice is a real PITA sometimes. Saves your bacon sometimes too....

At least you had been asking lots of questions & knew what to do w/ little thought. And made it to the trailer........

 

[ObieTiger]

Re: Transom repair

Here are some pics of the transom damage. Although it might seem minor, it almost cost me the boat. I easily could have lost the boat and even worse I risked the lives of family n friends. I don't have any pics of the boat almost sunk, was to busy trying to save it but believe me when I say that the water was coming in over the splash well. I was seconds away from a motor rebuild, minutes from losing the boat. My advice to future readers is trust your gut and the advise of those on this forum. Don't take shortcuts, do it right. In spite of deep embarrassment I post this so that you may learn from my mistakes! Before transom failure all that was noticeable was a little sag and a little give. Now starts the rebuild.

 

[ObieTiger]

Re: Transom repair

The previous posts pics are with the boat on the trailer and the outboard tied over the bow and to the front of trailer to prevent losing the motor during transport home. The bolt breakthrough was worse when the motor was hangin in drive position

 

[jbcurt00]

Re: Transom repair

In spite of deep embarrassment I post this so that you may learn from my mistakes! Before transom failure all that was noticeable was a little sag and a little give. Now starts the rebuild.

Don't beat yourself up about it (or your buddies TOO much, some is appropriate :watermelon, learn something, help others avoid it, and start the rebuild as you said.

Unfortunately, it's a somewhat common tale. You are not the only one, these were both 'water ready' good to go boats that had fairly thorough inspections prior to purchase by other iboaters:

Good news, no loses for them either...

 

[Woodonglass]

Re: Transom repair

Thanks for the pics and testimonial. It will go a long way for future iBoaters when they ask the same question. Like i said, a Picture is worth a thousand words, but... a Picture with a Testimonial is PRICELESS!!!!!

 

[ObieTiger]

Re: Transom repair

any thread suggestions so i can look, learn, and THEN ask instead of the other way around

 

[jbcurt00]

Re: Transom repair

Don's Sticky: How To's and Other Great Information

Has some great info.

Just start poking around in the resto forum, many good threads, and lots of great info in most.

You can not read & study too much. Dig in.

Friscoboater has good videos on his builds, one is linked in Don's list, his latest is a tad heavy on LONG videos, but great info.