first boat, cracks question

[void7910]

Read this forum lots. First post. Buying first boat and looked at some real rough boats. Found a nice one, but on the top side of the splash well just beneath the bolts used to mount the outboard there are two cracks in the glass. Not just in the gel coat, about right through. Tap test sounds ok and I can pick up the whole boat by the skeg/playe with no noticeable flex in the transom. Owner has epoxy in the cracks and did not crack or let go in this test.

Early stages of bad transom? Something else?

 

[smokeonthewater]

Re: first boat, cracks question

without inspecting in person I'd say it's enough to walk away... no telling what mickey mouse "fix" has been done inside

 

[Grub54891]

Re: first boat, cracks question

Some good pic's would be good,but if it is cracked,sometimes it's just the gelcoat from overtightning,unless it look's to be sucked in from the inside and outside. If it is just a little.....walk away:hopelessness: if the transom is bad,so is the stringers/floor. Ask me I'll pm ya some pics of mine in the process of restoration.....
Grub

 

[foodfisher]

Re: first boat, cracks question

Age? Model? Pics? If you can lift with no flex, can you push with no flex? No flex to me = solid transom.

 

[void7910]

Re: first boat, cracks question

Yeah. Should have took pics. It's an 86 Sidewinder. Picture the top two mounting bolts for the motor, follow them down the inside in the transom wall to the splash well and there on then upward facing surface to cracks. Not just in the gel coat, they look deeper, maybe an inch long. There are NO cracks whatsoever in the glass where the transom connects on the side to the rest of the hull (splash well corners).


I can get at the back (inside) of the transom by lifting the rear bench. Someone has painted in all black but wood feels solid on the floor and around gas tank etc.

When you say push on the transom do you mean push on the motor towards the boat?

 

[foodfisher]

Re: first boat, cracks question

Yes, tilt the engine up, grab the lower end, lift and push. No movement at the transom is good.

 

[smokeonthewater]

Re: first boat, cracks question

push on equals stand on lower unit and bounce while someone else stands to the side and looks CLOSE for ANY deflection at all

If it has been painted and isn't original that's another red flag... what are they trying to hide... is the crack in the splash well or the transom?

I'm still leaning to "walk away" unless you are getting the boat for retarded cheap and then MAYBE walk away but more research could be warranted