Checking Transom for Rot

[atengnr]

Im going to remove the inner skin to access the transom wood to check for rot. Boat is almost 40 yrs old and wood was wet for many years before fixing the leak source this summer and drying transom. Transom doesnt appear to flex when motor is bounced.

My question is whether it is possible to have significant rot in the transom that wouldnt be visible when looking at the wood from inside the boat - for example if it were rotting starting on the other side of the wood (towards outter skin)...

Is this the best way to inspect this wood for rot??
Thanks.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Checking Transom for Rot

it's the best way. but what i do as a preliminary is drill holes from the inside, put a depth guage on the bit, so you don't drill all the way thru the outer skin. if it's not rotted the shavings will look like new wood.

 

[surlyjoe]

Re: Checking Transom for Rot

you can almost tell better by tapping on it and listening carefully, good wood and rotten wood have 2 very distinct sounds

 

[stevieray]

Re: Checking Transom for Rot

at - the sound method is ok if you have the experience (I can tell what key a guitar tune is in just by hearing it - most others cannot). I would drill the holes as tashasdaddy recommends - it's a no brainer. Black, wet dust = rot. Dry clean wood = no rot. Just do it in a few representative places to be sure.

 

[atengnr]

Re: Checking Transom for Rot

ok, I drilled several 1/8" holes and shavings were dry. I expected this because I dryed out the transom this summer....However, shavings are red in color and seem to have a flaky soft texture (when compared to a 2x4 drilled in the garage.

I also drilled a much larger hole to get larger chips of wood. Chips are not black or wet, but seem to have very little strength when bent or squeezed....Wood is some type of red wood.

Is this weakened wood that has had the chance to dry out or some type of inherently quite soft wood used in this transom??

If transom is at all questionable, I want to replace.

 

[Lootas1]

Re: Checking Transom for Rot

A follow up question. I drilled into my transom and wood was bright yellow but very wet (water came out hole). Does that mean not yet rotten but soon will be?

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Checking Transom for Rot

haven't encountered red. Lootas 1 start cutting out the transom. once the waters there, you won't get it out. water is woods enemy.

 

[strizzy]

Re: Checking Transom for Rot

If all else fail, give that out drive a good amount/all your weight when trimed up and see if the transom flexes.

 

[DJ]

Re: Checking Transom for Rot

Got water? Transom needs to be "opened up".