How long before my engine falls off?

[ezmobee]

Re: How long before my engine falls off?

Curved transom? Have never seen a curved transom other than a rotted one. The stress cracks and your statement above all indicate that the transom is toast. Should be NO noticeable flexing in the transom. 1/2"to 3/4" is a huge amount.

There are actually curved transoms. Some 60's runabouts, including possibly this one, did have them.

 

[Moody Blue]

Re: How long before my engine falls off?

LOL!

As to movement - I don't notice much movement. My full 175lbs standing/slightly bouncing on the lower unit makes about half to three-quarters and inch of movement.

Moreover, bear in mind that these boats have curved transoms, so it is hard to tell if the transom is sagging or if it was just built that way.

Curved transom? Have never seen a curved transom other than a rotted one. The stress cracks and your statement above all indicate that the transom is toast. Should be NO noticeable flexing in the transom. 1/2"to 3/4" is a huge amount.

 

[78Galaxy]

Re: How long before my engine falls off?

Tear out that transom, the motor isn't too bad with another person to help lift it off, then just lean it up on something solid and tie it off for safe keeping.

So I can probably lift off with the help of a buddy? According to the service manual, it is 232lbs.

Also, for those who were wondering, the manual says the factory prop is available in 2 sizes: 10.25" and 9.5"

Thanks again for all the responses.

 

[a70eliminator]

Re: How long before my engine falls off?

Sure, I did mine by myself, that weight is correct at 230 some lbs. All you have to do is remove the two clamps, one on each side held on by two through transom bolts, if your doing it yourself then definately tie off the motor to something above like a garage beam just in case it gets away from you, 200 lbs is nothing to sneeze at. it helps to raise the tongue till the skeg touches the floor before you even start.
The transom on my MFG was curved too, it makes it tough to replace with plywood, that's where seacast really shines.
Also I notice the studs with nuts on them portruding from the transom clamps, that is not right, someone has had them off before. The bolts are supposed to go through from the outside and the nuts belong inside.

 

[JimS123]

Re: How long before my engine falls off?

I'll bet any money that boat was regularly driven down the highway with the motor tilted up. My father-in-law used to do that all the time even though I warned him about cracking the transom. Then one Sunday afternoon while pulling one of the grandkids on waterskis the transom cracked right thru and the boat sank.

 

[Gary H NC]

Re: How long before my engine falls off?

Just from looking at the bow of the transom in the first pic it is rotted.

That particular type transom is a perfect design for a Seacast repair.
It will never rot again and no worries if through hull fittings leak a bit.

It is rock solid composite that will never flex or crack.
I have tested it and it will not break with a 5 pound sledge hammer.


A good weekend or so and its like new but better.

Plenty of threads on Seacast.
http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?t=206019&highlight=Seacast+review

That boat is in great shape,very worth the cost.
Plus doing the labor yourself it will probably be less than a boat shop replacing it with wood.

 

[Frank Acampora]

Re: How long before my engine falls off?

I didn't see anyone say it: A complete transom replacement involves separating the deck from the hull. You must remove the rubrail and then unscrew about a hundred screws in the aluminum channel.

AND: If the factory transom was curved, you would need to steam plywood--all in all, seacast might be the way to go. However, also investigate Git-Rot. I used it on one transom and was VERY satisfied. Expensive but well worth it.

Remember, the transom has sagged outward so no matter what you do, you must first brace it back in position and repair the stress cracks. Most people don't realize it, but the splashwell is an important engineered part of the hull. It reinforces the transom AND helps transfer thrust loads to the hull itself. That's why in the photos in my last answer, you can see that I extended .080 aluminum plating to the splashwell wall. What you don't see is extra heavy stainless fender washers on the inside to spread bolt pressure. This is a 14 foot boat with a 125 hung on the back so thrust loads are considerable.

 

[timfives]

Re: How long before my engine falls off?

from the look of that nail, it looks like you got trouble with a capital T. It is probably safe to assume a fair amount of rot. Better to get i fixed, then have it sink.

t

 

[a70eliminator]

Re: How long before my engine falls off?

I'll bet any money that boat was regularly driven down the highway with the motor tilted up. My father-in-law used to do that all the time even though I warned him about cracking the transom. Then one Sunday afternoon while pulling one of the grandkids on waterskis the transom cracked right thru and the boat sank.

Why would tilting the motor up have that effect? when it's up the weight of the powerhead shifts forward, my old v4 actually balances over the transom in that position, I guess it's more of the bouncing around rather than weight issue. I know if my motor was falling off the transom putting in the full tilted up positon over the transom woulkd help me hold it there, don't ask how I know this!!

 

[JimS123]

Re: How long before my engine falls off?

Why would tilting the motor up have that effect? when it's up the weight of the powerhead shifts forward, my old v4 actually balances over the transom in that position, I guess it's more of the bouncing around rather than weight issue. I know if my motor was falling off the transom putting in the full tilted up positon over the transom woulkd help me hold it there, don't ask how I know this!!

That's it! The bouncing around. A motor should always be kept in the down position when trailered. If there is insufficient ground clearance, the motor should only be tilted up slightly, then secured in place firmly to the trailer using an outboard motor trailering bracket.

A static weight load on the transom is not a problem. The transom is designed to handle it. But, a dynamic load will crack the transom. IMHO, from the pics provided, that is a classic stress crack. The boat looks to be in pretty good shape, so I would not think that rot is the root cause.

Oh sure, it is probable that the transom is rotten right under the cracks from water intrusion. But if it is a stress crack, then probably the rest of it is sound.

If it were mine, before I disrupted the stringers, splash well, etc. I would remove the motor and drill 1/8" holes every 6" or so all around the transom to locate and chart any rot. Bevel out the cracks too. Unless the rot is widespread, remove the rot and treat the affected spots with GitRot, then patch up all the holes and re-glass the cracks. Finally, install 3/8" aluminum plates on the transom inside and out, and thru bolt them.

Only 2 caveats:
1. If the floor and or stringers are rotten, then the transom should be replaced too.
2. If the motor HP exceds the capacity plate, then do as I recommened but replace the motor too.

 

[jonesg]

Re: How long before my engine falls off?

That crack in the corner of the splashwell is exactly how mine started, I investigated the crack and found the whole transom was rotted mush.
I would go the seacast route as long as the stringers aren't bad, otherwise it might make more sense to pop the cap.
Watch the seacast video for a general idea.
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=5052133410006720508#

Then if you decide to use a non wood composite solution order nida core, its half the cost of seacast. A 1 1/4inch spade drill with extention and chainsaw will rip that transom out without much fuss.

The crack in my transom started from trailering, not in the water.
Now that its all seacasted I can stand on the leg and absolutely nothing moves but the trailer suspension. If yours move even a little bit its completely shot.

 

[jdsgrog]

Re: How long before my engine falls off?

The glasspar transoms are curved. I fixed my transom on my lido. There are other methods other than steaming to get that curve. I just laminated thinner layers together, but you must keep the outside fiberglass skin to do it properly. Also, what someone else said...you have to take the cap off. Not sure how your boat is constructed, but mine was glued on.

One other thing you may want to consider to get the old transom out is to cut a foot or two off the floor right by the transom. Supposedly it will make it easier to get the whole transom out. I didn't do this, and it was a pain trying to chip away at the pieces towards the bottom of the transom.

Personally, I love the lines of the glasspars and the one you have looks to be in good shape overall. With a little bit of elbow grease and with some time, you will get a lot of years of enjoyment out of it. But take your time and do the transom well.

 

[78Galaxy]

Re: How long before my engine falls off?

Hey guys, I want to thank you all again for your responses. Here is what I have decided to do (and perhaps photodocument):

1) Take the boat tomorrow for engine service. I will have the shop remove the engine for service, then bring the boat back. That way, the shop will be able to work on the engine while I get started on the transom.

2) I think I am going to use Nida Core to do the transom. Because the transom is curved, this may be the easiest thing to do, and it (Nida Core) sounds like a quasi-permanent solution.

3) I'm not going to mess with the floors. They are rock solid right now, and I also think that this boat has fiberglass stringers, as I have read the 1963 and newer models do:

http://74.125.113.132/search?q=cach...fiberglass+stringers&cd=1&hl=en&ct=clnk&gl=us

http://ifish.net/board/showpost.php?p=2415420&postcount=5

4) I'm going to sand and repaint the entire boat after I do (and hopefully do not screw up) the transom repair. Any tips or links would be appreciated.

5) Do I have any options as far as changing from steering cables to some other form of steering? If so, I may want to do that now, assuming one novice repairman (me) can do it alone.

Thanks again, all.

 

[Isaacm1986]

Re: How long before my engine falls off?

The Nida-Bond is GREAT stuff! I used it on my bass boat and it is really rock solid! It is very easy, just a mix and pour. They have a chart on there website for the amount of catalyst to use depending on the temp, make sure you are doing it in a warm area and use the right amount of catalyst.

Good luck with the project, and post pics of the process.

 

[ezmobee]

Re: How long before my engine falls off?

I couldn't agree more with your line of thinking. Good luck with it.

As for the steering, you can easily convert to the newer rack or rotary style steering. Only think you'll have to do, is if your motor doesn't have a steering tube, you'll have to get a front-mount adapter. Others will have more info on that then I do. Definitely do-able and a worthwhile upgrade.

 

[jonesg]

Re: How long before my engine falls off?

Hey guys, I want to thank you all again for your responses. Here is what I have decided to do (and perhaps photodocument):

1) Take the boat tomorrow for engine service. I will have the shop remove the engine for service, then bring the boat back. That way, the shop will be able to work on the engine while I get started on the transom.

2) I think I am going to use Nida Core to do the transom. Because the transom is curved, this may be the easiest thing to do, and it (Nida Core) sounds like a quasi-permanent solution.

3) I'm not going to mess with the floors. They are rock solid right now, and I also think that this boat has fiberglass stringers, as I have read the 1963 and newer models do:

http://74.125.113.132/search?q=cach...fiberglass+stringers&cd=1&hl=en&ct=clnk&gl=us

http://ifish.net/board/showpost.php?p=2415420&postcount=5

4) I'm going to sand and repaint the entire boat after I do (and hopefully do not screw up) the transom repair. Any tips or links would be appreciated.

5) Do I have any options as far as changing from steering cables to some other form of steering? If so, I may want to do that now, assuming one novice repairman (me) can do it alone.

Thanks again, all.

I used an elec chainsaw , it really makes transom removal go quicker, no danger cutting the glass because you can hear it when it touches the glass and they don't cut sideways anyway.

Make sure the backside of the transom is sealed, theres no sense pouring a composite material in there if it pours out the back into the bilge.

WHen I removed my transom the back wall fell apart.
I cut the splashwell off completely and removed the remnants of the backwall of the transom, then made a 1/2" plywood backwall, pre-glassed it to completely seal it and glassed it in place, then poured the seacast.

To finish up I glassed the splashwell back, if you make any cuts like I did just try to make them where they are easily concealed, less cosmetic repairs that way. Otherwise, its not too hard a job.
If you ever sell your boat the composite transom should be a selling point.

You'll need, angle grinder with steel cutoff disk.
Chainsaw.
spade drill bit 1 1/4" wide wood bit with 18" extension to reach down.
1/2 drill, I used a dewalt 18v for everything.
crowbar is handy.

 

[78Galaxy]

Re: How long before my engine falls off?

Hey guys-

Continuing the thread here:

http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?t=378667