Does a rotten floor always mean a rotten transom too?

[Cudos]

Just wondering what the correlation between a rotten floor and transom condition might be. How can one tell if the transom is rotting?

Thanks

 

[Isaacm1986]

Re: Does a rotten floor always mean a rotten transom too?

It does not Always mean a rotted transom, But most of the time it does.

Take some core samples of the transom. use a drill bit with the drill on a slow speed. Drill into the transom from the inside of the boat. Carefull not to go all the way though the transom. Look at the wood shavings, if they are dry shaving than the transom is probably ok. If the shavings are wet, then it is time for a transom. In most cases replacing the transom is not as bad as it seems at first. Make sure to take about a dozen core samples in different spots on the transom. When all done, and if the transom is solid, get some 3m 5200 and fill the holes.

Hope this helps. Pictures are always a useful thing for us to help determine the state of the transom.

 

[oops!]

Re: Does a rotten floor always mean a rotten transom too?

no...it does not.

the wood of the deck rots because of water that cannot drain off the deck.

transoms rot because of holes in them that are not properly sealed.

it is possible that a rotten deck will rot the stringers and that will rot the ransom.....as the stringers are attached to the transom usually with no barrier between.

in the above mentioned core sample test...take a peice of tape and wrap it around the drill bit one inch one inch from the tip...(your transom is two inches) then drill to the tape. no more..

cheers
oops

 

[Cudos]

Re: Does a rotten floor always mean a rotten transom too?

Thanks guys, I will check for that and test it.

 

[oops!]

Re: Does a rotten floor always mean a rotten transom too?

it is also imperative that when you put in the new deck....that you glass or coat the underside of the deck with a protective coating...

moisture will seep from any wet foam and attack the underside of the board. and rot begins

 

[Cudos]

Re: Does a rotten floor always mean a rotten transom too?

I will make sure that happens, Thank-You

 

[foodfisher]

Re: Does a rotten floor always mean a rotten transom too?

With the motor tilted, assuming it's an outboard, push down at the lower leg and watch for give at the transom.

 

[singinout]

Re: Does a rotten floor always mean a rotten transom too?

Just wondering what the correlation between a rotten floor and transom condition might be. How can one tell if the transom is rotting?

Thanks

I don't have enough experience to say for sure but based on my personal experience and from reading other guyz projects - soft transom and floor are husband and wife. They generally go hand in hand!

 

[oops!]

Re: Does a rotten floor always mean a rotten transom too?

- soft transom and floor are husband and wife. They generally go hand in hand!

it really depends on the manufacturer and how the boat was treated by its owners.

if the boat was left in the open by the owners...yep you have a rotten deck....but if its new enough, not nessarily the transom or even the stringers.

on the other hand all it takes is an owner to screw in a transducer or speedo pitot to the transom with out the proper sealant, and whammo....a year later the transom is rot.

for example my bayliner had a shot deck and wet foam, but bayliner heavily glassed the stringers, and the transom was properly seperated from the water by gellcoat.....so the transom was good and so were the stringers after totally soaked foam and two rotten decks (the previous owner just laid another piece of plywood over the rotten deck and carpeted it).

the only way to know is wait till you actually get in there and take samples once everything is exposed !

cheers....happy grinding !
oops

 

[bigredinohio]

Re: Does a rotten floor always mean a rotten transom too?

Normally a boat being restored is 15 to 40 years old and usually has seen it's fair share of water intrusion into the wood from holes in the transom that weren't sealed properly, screws through the deck (floor), etc. Back then, boat mfg's didn't "soak" wood with a layer of resin before glassing like the way most people prescribe here in the forums. That's why it's always recommend by members here to check the three main wood components of a boat that could compromise the structural integrity of a boat.

As a side note, I do know that some of today's boat mfg's such as Checkmate & Nordic Power Boats have replaced using wood with composite materials such as coosa and such.

 

[Intermediate Mariner]

Re: Does a rotten floor always mean a rotten transom too?

One thing Ive noticed so far on 2 transom removals: If there is rot to be found, it ia ALWAYS near whereever any holes were (engine mounting bolts, stern eyes, ladder, speedometer, drain plug etc)... no matter how they tried to seal it water gets in. I like to dip all screws in fiberglass resin and of course drill a pilot hole first.

In addition to pressing on lower leg, knock on the transom, you will notice a difference in tone on the rotted areas.

An alternative: I have done this once and seen guys do it... install an aluminum plate on each side of the tansom and bolt it through to get a few more years out of it.

 

[langeruds]

Re: Does a rotten floor always mean a rotten transom too?

One thing Ive noticed so far on 2 transom removals: If there is rot to be found, it ia ALWAYS near whereever any holes were (engine mounting bolts, stern eyes, ladder, speedometer, drain plug etc)... no matter how they tried to seal it water gets in. I like to dip all screws in fiberglass resin and of course drill a pilot hole first.

In addition to pressing on lower leg, knock on the transom, you will notice a difference in tone on the rotted areas.

An alternative: I have done this once and seen guys do it... install an aluminum plate on each side of the tansom and bolt it through to get a few more years out of it.

I hope this is true...
I am in the process of adding a motor extension to my boat. After drilling a few holes I have noticed the wood as being soft or mildly damp. I didn't know of this condition until yesterday and that is the reason for me to be doing my current research in this thread subject. I wanted to find out what others have done in my predicament.
Fortunately for me my extension is going to include plates on the front and backside of the transom. Everything will be mounted to that. I'm sure that will help to hopefully get a few more years out of the boat. I have already spent 1000's of dollars into it..

 

[bigredinohio]

Re: Does a rotten floor always mean a rotten transom too?

Knocking on a transom isn't a good technique in my opinion. People hear different things, especially when in denial. Do a core test!

If you have any moisture in wood, it will need replaced, especially if its soft. Adding plates only hasten the inivitable and pawns your laziness onto others. Do the right work needed or get rid of the boat. Simply adding plates to an already bad transom is bad advice in my opinion. The boat isn't very safe for you, your family or others on the water!

 

[mike85]

Re: Does a rotten floor always mean a rotten transom too?

An alternative: I have done this once and seen guys do it... install an aluminum plate on each side of the tansom and bolt it through to get a few more years out of it.

A previous owner of my boat (1984 bayliner capri) did this, and the transom is still in decent shape.

 

[florida boat 53]

Re: Does a rotten floor always mean a rotten transom too?

not always. but as rot is a fungus and the result of wet conditions i would want to check. i once went to replace a thru hull fitting on a wood boat and by the time i finished cutting the bad wood out there was a 3' x 4' hole in the bottom of the boat

 

[Woodonglass]

Re: Does a rotten floor always mean a rotten transom too?

You are responding to a thread that is over a year old!!!!