checking transome questions

[tad7777]

my boat is a 1968 fiberglass i found i little rotton area around the drian plug hole,,the transome seems sturdy ,,is there any way to see or check the transome for reasurance? A experts opion would be great.. When I pull & push the motor , the whole transome, moves about a quarter inch while pulling & pushing it ,,is this normal?? i put alot of tension on it ,while testing it , it does move a bit but seems strong,, Is this transome plywood inside?? tad

 

[Link]

Re: checking transome questions

Tad<br />A: most likely your transom is /was plywood <br />B: No it's not normal for it to flex like that<br /><br />I guessing that by the time I get home tomorrow you will have several post here from people who have done mild to wild transon repair. Take a look at Project Boats and Backyard Boat Building <br />here on this board.<br /><br /> <br />Also here a wilder side <br /> http://www.iboats.com/cgi-bin/ubb/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=1;t=006634 <br /><br />Luck to you on this<br />Link

 

[Solittle]

Re: checking transome questions

Most boats of that period (and even today) were/are a combination of fiberglass and plywood. The transom is usually made of plywood with fiberglass on both sides with some kind of cap, often alumnium, on the top. When water gets to the wood it rots. When it rots it is suseptable to breaking and ripping off of the back of the boat when subjected to heavy force - - such as a motor trying to push it at speed - hitting waves etc.<br /><br />If you continue to use it I hope you wear your life jacket and stay within swimming distance of shore. And make sure that your insurance is paid up. Prayer helps also.<br /><br />Suggest you fix it or sell it.

 

[tad7777]

Re: checking transome questions

thanks for the replys , i dont know for sure if it is in bad shape or not yet, i understand what your staying about safey , especialy with my kids on board,, but since it is plywood , i think it would move a bit ,because i put alot of presser on it, even a new sheet of plywood would move a little bit, maybe this question is impossable to answer without looking at it ,,i guess i will have to take it in to the shop ,, thanks tad

 

[tad7777]

Re: checking transome questions

httpi//photosyahoo.com/eddy1462@sbcglabal.net

 

[tad7777]

Re: checking transome questions

http;//photoyahoo.com/eddy1462@sbcglobal.net<br /> http://photoyahoo.com/eddy1462@sbcglobal.net

 

[Solittle]

Re: checking transome questions

How big of an engine do you have on it and does the water you run in ever get choppy?

 

[tad7777]

Re: checking transome questions

i tried putting a photo on here just for conversaion,, it is a evinrune 40 hp 1970 old so it is heavy tad

 

[vegard]

Re: checking transome questions

your transom is probably totally rotted. Thats what mine was and I had the same symptoms. I hope you have a small motor on there. start poking around, and tapping it. if you find any more rot, your boat could be a deathtrap.