Transom replacement on I/O

[WimJall]

Recently discovered my transom has a wet spot.. hit something in the water and had a little water start coming in. Pulled engine out to find one of the studs from the Transom Support pulled through the inner portion of the transom.
Question is.. how much of the transom will I need to replace? Appears i caught it soon enough and only a small section is soft.. Its not the best picture.. took it rather quickly as a storm was rolling in and wanted to get boat covered back up.

 

[todhunter]

Can't really tell what's going on in the picture, but if any of the transom is rotten, you should replace the whole thing.

 

[Drivewayboater2]

I agree with Todd hunter….. looks like you’re gonna need to replace the entire section. Have you taken core samples? Looks pretty nasty. Start at the drain plug and work your way up every 4 inches or so. Use 1/4 drill bit from the inside. Don’t go through the outside glass. My guess is you’re gonna need to do the whole transom. Good information and help can be found in this forum.

 

[Scott Danforth]

Question is.. how much of the transom will I need to replace?

All of it. Its one big piece

 

[JASinIL2006]

Replace the entire transom. This is not the place for a halfway repair.

 

[WimJall]

Yes it does look pretty nasty, only checks I've done is with an awl.. poking into the transom and around the one stud was soft. I agree I do not want to short cut anything at this point. When the weather quits ill get back in, take the rest of the transom supports off and cut the glass out of the inside. I'll keep everyone posted.

 

[Scott Danforth]

dont be surprised if you find that the stringers are gone too.

pull the drive, pull the motor, make a cradle
start removing rot with the tools of descruction

 

[WimJall]

dont be surprised if you find that the stringers are gone too.

pull the drive, pull the motor, make a cradle
start removing rot with the tools of descruction

I'm confident I found it early enough.
What do you mean by cradle?? I mean, I know what a cradle is.. but what and why in this instance..

 

[Scott Danforth]

because replacing stringers and transom is structural work. if you do not properly support the hull, you could end up with a hook in the hull

 

[todhunter]

If your stringers and transom are rotten and you pull them out, a cradle will reduce the chances of your boat flexing out of shape without the structural pieces (floor, stringers, transom) in place.

 

[WimJall]

Ah, okay.. well I'm pretty certain the stringers are perfect. No discoloration, no flaking. Awl wouldn't penetrate past the glass. All deep thuds with a mallot. Shy of drilling, which i really don't want to start doing, I'm pretty certain I. Good there. When the weather turns for the good ill get back out and take more pictures.

 

[Scott Danforth]

Ah, okay.. well I'm pretty certain the stringers are perfect. No discoloration, no flaking. Awl wouldn't penetrate past the glass. All deep thuds with a mallot. Shy of drilling, which i really don't want to start doing, I'm pretty certain I. Good there. When the weather turns for the good ill get back out and take more pictures.

only way to check is test drill

if the shavings are light-colored, dry and smell like fresh cut wood, you are good to go

if the shavings are dark-colored, wet and smell like rotten mulch, you cut out the floor

 

[todhunter]

Nobody wants to drill because they know what they will find.

I only laugh because I've been there too.

 

[zool]

Nobody wants to drill because they know what they will find.

I only laugh because I've been there too.

I see countless boats out on the water that look like they were pulled from a landfill, chalked up gel, weather worn upholstery, bumpers hanging off the sides on plane, pulling a tube off the strap downs, and they arent aware, or dont want to be aware they are rotted to the core. They seem to be having fun. If they knew, it would ruin their day lol.

A % will end up in the drink hopefully without the fam on board.

 

[WimJall]

I see countless boats out on the water that look like they were pulled from a landfill, chalked up gel, weather worn upholstery, bumpers hanging off the sides on plane, pulling a tube off the strap downs, and they arent aware, or dont want to be aware they are rotted to the core. They seem to be having fun. If they knew, it would ruin their day lol.

A % will end up in the drink hopefully without the fam on board.

Haha I laugh when I see the bumper daggers, and their bumpers have just as much build up of algea as the boat does.

So let's say I do drill the stringers.. what do I fill the holes with when I'm done??

 

[Chris51280]

3m 4200 or 5200 adhesive

 

[88 Capri (2022 SOTY)]

Ah, okay.. well I'm pretty certain the stringers are perfect. No discoloration, no flaking. Awl wouldn't penetrate past the glass. All deep thuds with a mallot. Shy of drilling, which i really don't want to start doing, I'm pretty certain I. Good there. When the weather turns for the good ill get back out and take more pictures.

It's better to be certain than "pretty" certain