Stupid Boat Question

[Ishboo25]

i am completly new to boating, but i have a few questions, to most will be dumb, but ive ben searching and have yet to come up with a good answer....

i understand where the transom is, but what does it exactly do, if the transom is rotted, what exactly happens, can you still use the boat, what happens if you do? would you notice a bad transom when driving the boat?

is there like a boat book for dummies or sumthing? i apolagize for asking simple questions, but i just wanna be sure..... Thanks

 

[oops!]

Re: Stupid Boat Question

the transom is the back part of the boat that the motor hangs off.

if it is rotten, you have a good chance that the back half of the boat will break away and the motor will fall of into the water and drag your boat down with it.

if the boat is an i/o.....(where the motor is in the boat and a drive leg is out the back)......

the forward pushing force of your boat is on the transom.....if it is rotten....again your boat is unsafe.

a good book....(if you dont want to search here) is called runabout renovation by jim anderson

but this place is the real boat university.......from kindergarten to advanced building and handeling classes.....this site has it....just ask away

cheers
oops

 

[ne7800]

Re: Stupid Boat Question

If you have a outboard motor then it actualy hangs on the transome, so if it is rotten then yes it would be bad to use the boat. There is no such thing a stupid question, how ever you may recive stupid answers lol

 

[Ishboo25]

Re: Stupid Boat Question

Ohh, i love this website, theres so much info, i just hate bothering people asking them simple questions

 

[scipper77]

Re: Stupid Boat Question

The transom is what the outdrive attaches to (or the whole motor for an outboard motor). Basically the motor pushes against the transom and the transom pushes the boat. If your transom is just starting to rot out you may notice stress cracks in the fiberglass around that area. If the transom was to fail it would not be good.

 

[ne7800]

Re: Stupid Boat Question

most of us are iboats junkies and can't stay away from this place so ask away

 

[oops!]

Re: Stupid Boat Question

no one ever minds answering even the simplest questions here...it may save a life....

and besides....we all had to start some where !

 

[Ishboo25]

Re: Stupid Boat Question

thanks for all the info!! I appriciate it!!, i guess im used to the mustang forum, where everyone gets mad if you ask a basic question


aside from doing a core test would you notice this when cruising? ive ben out on the boat probably 12-15 times, at full throttle some of the time..... its an i/o if that makes a difference

 

[ne7800]

Re: Stupid Boat Question

What makes you think it might be rotted ?

 

[Ishboo25]

Re: Stupid Boat Question

its a 1977 sea ray its in great shape, but the weather has ben not so great so i really havent ben out to check into it.... ive just ben anxious, even though its pretty much winter, im excited already for next year
im just figuring the boats 30+ years old

 

[ne7800]

Re: Stupid Boat Question

i guess the simlpest thing to do is just knock on it with you knuckles all over and listen for the "thud" rather than the normal knock

 

[Ishboo25]

Re: Stupid Boat Question

i started a topic here, and understood a core test was something i should do, im just wondering if i would have noticed any signs while the boat was in the water
http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?t=283652&highlight=1977+sea+ray

theres pics 1/4 down

 

[oops!]

Re: Stupid Boat Question

thanks for all the info!! I appriciate it!!, i guess im used to the mustang forum, where everyone gets mad if you ask a basic question


aside from doing a core test would you notice this when cruising? ive ben out on the boat probably 12-15 times, at full throttle some of the time..... its an i/o if that makes a difference

in a rotted transom situation....an i/o is safer than an o/b (outbaord)
as the weight is lower on the transom......but the force can still make a big enough crack to take on a lot of water.......the glass is self will give somewhat of a bit of protection.......but, the boat is still unsafe.

as a captain of any boat....from a rubber dingy with oars to a 1000 foot aircraft carrier......
you are responcible for all the souls on board the boat.

in other words. if the boat is unsafe......don,t go out.