glastron transom help

progmc

Recruit
Joined
Jun 6, 2006
Messages
2
Hello all I am new here and new to boating. I just bought a 1984 glastron with a 115hp suzuki on it. I noticed some cracks on the top of the transom. How ever it seems solid yet. I took a bolt out and the wood didnt seem real soft. There was only a little movement right at the crack. Is there a way to repair these cracks or do you think my transom is shot? thanks <br />Cant figure out how to put pics on so I really cant show you what I mean.
 

CATransplant

Admiral
Joined
Feb 26, 2005
Messages
6,319
Re: glastron transom help

If there's movement, you have a problem. "Not too soft" is too soft. You need to take a closer look, since you don't want that Suzuki dropping off the back of the boat, nor do you want water in the boat.<br /><br />Which model Glastron is this?
 

Texasmark

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Dec 20, 2005
Messages
14,897
Re: glastron transom help

Most of the Glastron's I knew, back in the 60's when living in Austin, TX. where they were built, was the fact that the transom was rather small. It didn't go all the way across the boat (like every other boat I ever saw) but only went to the concave molded doo dads on each side of the stern. So this said that the molded glass corners (about 2' on each side) had to support the weight and thrust of the engine.<br /><br />Well, I liked the idea of having a solid wood transom to absorb shock that attached to the hull at the corners of the boat.....and I realize that they could rot if not encapsulated properly.<br /><br />Stress cracks are telling you that you have stress and stress can causes things to fail.<br /><br />The stress crack is visable in the gell coat, but what you don't know is what does the glass underneath look like, and is there wood under the glass and has water entered the wood and if so, how much and all that.<br /><br />My Bro in law had a Wellcraft and water got into his transom and this marine plant like thing was growing out of it right next to his engine. Spent like $1700 (15 years ago) to have it replaced.<br /><br />Glass is glass and it can rupture. <br /><br />If you are talking about one of these, I would question just how strong that is and whether or not some shoring up was needed.<br /><br />HTH,<br /><br />Mark
 

tashasdaddy

Honorary Moderator Emeritus
Joined
Nov 11, 2005
Messages
51,019
Re: glastron transom help

unfortunately this is the nature of the glastron beast. they are great boats, and worth restoring. you also probably have rotted stringers. welcome to iboats, sorry for the bad news. if you are handy and mechanically inclined, it's not a hard job, just a very dirty job to tear out. you need old clothes, respirator dust make safety goggles, angle grinder, circular saw, shop vac. lots of garbage bags, and guts.
 

AguaSki

Chief Petty Officer
Joined
Jul 4, 2005
Messages
545
Re: glastron transom help

Lots of experts here on Iboats, but you can also find information from guys who really like Glastrons here.
 

JasonB

Lieutenant
Joined
Feb 10, 2003
Messages
1,455
Re: glastron transom help

Most older glastron outboards seem to have the same cracks across teh transom. Mine did. As Someone already said, tthe transom isn't full witdth, and usually that are open to the inside of the boat (no glass on the inside surface).<br /><br />Some aren't cracked bad enough to leak if caught/patched early enough. Mine was. New transon and Stringers.
 
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