I screwed up

[texasvet54]

The other day, I took my ProCraft 170 Combo that I bought a few weeks ago to the lake. I took the transom saver off and set it to the side at the boat launch and I forgot to put it in my truck. Someone must have picked it up while I was out because it wasn't there when I got back. So, I used the lever on the 90 horse Merc to support the engine on the way home.

While waxing the boat today, I noticed the cracks in the pic below and I am certain that they weren't there when I inspected the boat prior to purchase. The only thing that I can think happened is that I went over a speed bump a little faster than I should have when I left the launch area and I caused the trailer to bounce just a little.

So, how bad do the cracks look and what should I do about them? The other side of the transom has only one small crack.

Thanks,

texasvet

 

[Friscoboater]

Re: I screwed up

I bet they were there and the wax just highlighted them. I am not an OB guy, but doesn't that indicated a soft transom?

 

[sw33ttooth]

Re: I screwed up

id say that speed bump or pot hole wasn't to good on it. i see a lot of older speed boats that people have abused on 5 foot waves eventually the bouncing and abuse makes fiberglass twist and crack i seen that on my friends baja outlaw they bought it new and after 4 years if you lookd at the inside hull, fiberglass was cracking everywhere.

 

[Sixmark]

Re: I screwed up

You can get the same cracks from neglecting the finish of a boat, and just because it may presently have a shine doesn't mean it was properly taken care of.

You can also get them just with age alone.

If you are that concerned then you will want to remove your battery, gas tank, etc. and climb underneath and inspect it from the underside to see if there are signs of seperation.

 

[mommicked]

Re: I screwed up

I would mark the cracks ends, to check later and see if they get longer or not.And shake or push up/down on the motor and watch for flexing of the transom or cracking sounds.

 

[texasvet54]

Re: I screwed up

I would mark the cracks ends, to check later and see if they get longer or not.And shake or push up/down on the motor and watch for flexing of the transom or cracking sounds.

Thanks for all the replies. I did as you suggested and shook the motor around and everything seems solid as can be. I'm new to boating and I wonder if there is something that can be done from the inside to add addtional strength to the transom like maybe epoxying a plate to the inside. I'll start searching the internet and I'll talk to the owner of a repair shop in Austin that I used for some houseboat work to see if he has any thoughts.

Thanks,
texasvet

 

[mkast]

Re: I screwed up

Are those cracks or deep scratches?

 

[ezmobee]

Re: I screwed up

I wonder if there is something that can be done from the inside to add additional strength to the transom like maybe epoxying a plate to the inside.

If your transom core is indeed solid, none of these kind of band-aids would be necessary. If the core isn't solid, then it needs to be replaced.

 

[texasvet54]

Re: I screwed up

Are those cracks or deep scratches?

They are cracks. I towed it by my office when I bought it a couple of weeks ago and one of the guys who works for me took a good look at the transom as he's had boats for years. Today, he confirmed that the cracks didn't show when he saw it. He says that he towed a boat with an OB for years without a transom saver and he hit all kinds of bumps and never did he have any cracks like shown in the picture. He believes they are just cosmetic and they didn't show until I waxed the boat.

texasvet

 

[emoney]

Re: I screwed up

I definitely wouldn't think the worst because I've towed many times without a transom saver, just the lock on the outboard. And, if you think about it, these boat builders would be subjecting themselves to quite a few returns/repairs/complaints, if a transom saver was a "required" component. Matter of fact, they'd more than likely include one with the purchase.

Great suggestion earlier though; if you're like a lot of us and aren't going to be 100% confident until you see for yourself, then remove the stuff mentioned and crawl up in there and look to see if there's a problem. The pushing up and down, standing on, etc. ideas to determine if there's "flex" are some of the easiest test to do and are free. I'm like your friend and think they're cosmetic, if I had to guess based on the pictures.

 

[texasvet54]

Re: I screwed up

I definitely wouldn't think the worst because I've towed many times without a transom saver, just the lock on the outboard. And, if you think about it, these boat builders would be subjecting themselves to quite a few returns/repairs/complaints, if a transom saver was a "required" component. Matter of fact, they'd more than likely include one with the purchase.

Great suggestion earlier though; if you're like a lot of us and aren't going to be 100% confident until you see for yourself, then remove the stuff mentioned and crawl up in there and look to see if there's a problem. The pushing up and down, standing on, etc. ideas to determine if there's "flex" are some of the easiest test to do and are free. I'm like your friend and think they're cosmetic, if I had to guess based on the pictures.

Thanks much.

texasvet