1970's Glastron Transoms

[poods2]

I have owned two Futura 162 outboards and both have had cracks on each side about a foot in from the outer corners of the bottom of the transom. The location of the cracks are no where near the engine bolts and the transom themselves have no give at all. The first boat was kept on a mooring in Dorchester bay for the entire season and I used to get up to speed and open the plug to empty the bilge but that was before kids.
The funny thing is the wood under the glass has been solid on both boats. Is there a problem with the design of these hulls and if so what is the best way to fix them permanently. Anyone had similar experiences?

 

[JustMrWill]

Re: 1970's Glastron Transoms

Are you saying that the outer skin is cracked where the load-bearing transom meets the "non-load bearing" transom at the 90* angle?

If so...it sounds like the fiberglass (on the inside) is probably the problem. Does your boat have the knee brackets coming from the inside of the transom on either side of the splashwell?

Do you have any pictures? Would help greatly to see it to figure out what is wrong.

Check out my project (click link in sig) to check out my transom pics (demolition) to see how they were built.

What size engine do you have on it?


-JMW

 

[redfury]

Re: 1970's Glastron Transoms

I also have a similar glastron and just posted a picture of my transom area without the cap on the boat in my projects page.

What size engine have you been running on these boats?

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: 1970's Glastron Transoms

glasstron are noted for being overpowered causing just the problem you described. people hang things on them, they weren't designed to handle. i bought a merc 1350 for the motor, attached to an old glasstron, barely made it home with the motor the transom was so bad, from the overweight motor, and excess stress on the transom.

 

[poods2]

Re: 1970's Glastron Transoms

Thanks all for the help.
JMR, you are right on the money and I have an exact duplicate of your 162. Thankfully my floors and stringers are solid.
The scupper well (where the bildge drains) is solid has no cracks inside. I have decided to try the easiest fix first. I drilled some small holes at a 45 deg angles into the sides of the scupper well and injected penetrating epoxy until the holes were filled. Hopefully this will pevent the cracking from getting any worse and may just fix it for good.
Redfury and JMR good luck with your boats and tashadaddy I have seen these boats carrying 150's & 200's and couldn't agree more thats probably a major contributing factor to the transom failings. BTW I am running an old Mercury 800 at present and my first 162 pulled skiers, although not very fast, with a 50 Evinrude. Thanks for input and a bad day on the water is always better than a good day at the office.