Fiberglass crack

[kthkollar]

I have a small crack in the fiberglass on the transom that I would like to fix on my 86 bayliner capri. The transom is very solid, the crack is just a little more than hairline wide by about 18" long by the motor. Any ideas on how to repair a crack such as this the right way will be appreciated.

 

[jonesg]

Re: Fiberglass crack

A crack in the transom is a classic sign of rotted transoms.
mine started out as just a little crack near one of the outboard nuts in the engine drain well.

Unless the crack was caused by something else? theres nothing else putting that kind of pressure on the transom except the motor.
Did you hit a piling?

 

[danond]

Re: Fiberglass crack

kthkollar - unless you hit something, there's a very good chance your transom is rotten and fixing the crack is pointless.

Do you know how to do a core sample? Take a drill and drill bit, drill into the transom from the inside, see if the wood comes out wet or dry, rotten or OK.

Gelcoat cracks when it moves, so either you hit something, or your substructure (transom wood) is gone or mushy.

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: Fiberglass crack

Got pictures? 18" is more than small.

 

[danond]

Re: Fiberglass crack

I attached a picture of what a rotten transom does to the gelcoat. Cracks highlited with a sharpie pen for effect (transom has already been replaced by the time this pic was taken. I was about to fix all the cracks when I took this shot).

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: Fiberglass crack

The design of the capri hull really does not afford too many places to try yest holes w/o doing real harm. The bayliner corp changed it's boat building methods 10 years after yours was made........ the 80's hulls had some frequent common problems.

Just for safety take a few pictures..... do some serious investigation and then some deep soul searching if a rebuild is needed and can be afforded.

http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?t=301033&highlight=capri read the comments by Lowkee.

 

[kthkollar]

Re: Fiberglass crack

I actually just picked this up for a great price. The boat is solid, the deck is not even rotten. The stringers are fine. The skag is broken right off so it is apparent that something was hit. I will include some pics but I am reasonably sure it is a crack caused by impact. I would still like a reference to fiberglass repair. Is it ok to drill a small hole from the inside to check the transom on this boat? Thanks everyone.

 

[danond]

Re: Fiberglass crack

There is no such thing as "a great price" in my experience. That usually means it's rotten or broken somehow. Just because you can walk around and not fall through doesn't mean it's not rotten!

Yes, it's fine to drill. Just don't drill all the way through! Fill it with epoxy/marine tex once you're done and the hole will actually be a stronger area than before.

 

[legoman67]

Re: Fiberglass crack

yup, ours had that little innocent looking crack around the transom sheild too... looks are deciving, do some core samples around the crack and around the transom shield...

as i learned the hard way, hitting the transom on the outside is not an accurate measure. that just tells you the fibreglass and resin is hard, not the wood.... the engine puts WAY more force on the transom then you and your fist will ever do.

 

[jonesg]

Re: Fiberglass crack

yup, ours had that little innocent looking crack around the transom sheild too... looks are deciving, do some core samples around the crack and around the transom shield...

as i learned the hard way, hitting the transom on the outside is not an accurate measure. that just tells you the fibreglass and resin is hard, not the wood.... the engine puts WAY more force on the transom then you and your fist will ever do.

ditto, a rubber mallet sounded great on the transom, drilling a little hole to mount transducer opened a fountain of water, then the little crack appeared.
One new transom later, hitting the transom sounds similar to hitting a concrete block.