Is my boat going to die? Or is the marina trying to screw me?

[Michigan Jason]

Ok, I have a 1995 20' Regal Valenti 202 SE with a 5.0 and volvo penta sx outdive. I took it into the marina where i Purchased it a few years back to have the "spring special" done. Here is what they supposedly did:

Remove and replace oil filter, fuel filter, oil, distributor cap,
rotor and spark plugs. Run diagnostic software for your
engine. Check timing, belts and hoses. Clean flame arrestor,
check alignment. Remove outdrive, check gimbal and
boots, change the lube, check and grease u-joints & spline,
replace gaskets and reattach. Set carburetor if applicable.
Pressure test drive

Ok, so I get a call this morning telling me that the engine is running perfectly, but now I have a big problem on my hands. He tells me that when they went to put the boat in the water to test run it, it was taking on so much water that they didnt even want to take it out. He said that my transom is rotten and they would need to remove the engine, cut out all the rotten wood, replace and fiberglass over it. Said $3,000 easy. He also said that when you grab the outdrive and wiggle it you can feel it move. Now last year when I would have it in the water for hours, there would be a small amount of water in the hull inder the engine, but I mean small. Like sometimes not even enough to kick on the bilge pump until I was under way. But not rushing water as described by this mechanic. I am so lost right now and do now know what to do. I need help.

Thanks,

Jason

 

[Michigan Jason]

Re: Is my boat going to die? Or is the marina trying to screw me?

How does such a thing occur over a winter? Everything seemed fine last year

 

[Scott Danforth]

Re: Is my boat going to die? Or is the marina trying to screw me?

rot never sleeps...... then again, rust never sleeps either.

 

[Michigan Jason]

Re: Is my boat going to die? Or is the marina trying to screw me?

So when I go to the marina in a few minutes, what do I ask the mechanic/check myself to see if im screwed?

 

[Michigan Jason]

Re: Is my boat going to die? Or is the marina trying to screw me?

Imagine a piece of wood that is wet or even water logged. Now let it freeze hard. The water expands as it freezes and literally starts tearing the wood fibers apart. Go through a dozen freeze thaw cycles and the damage is compounded to the point the wood loses all structual integrity.

I know you don't want to hear this but,,, if the transom is rotting I'd say the chances are about 75% the stringers are in trouble too. I really suggest finding someone with the expertice to inspect it and give you a real assesment before spending a penny on anything else.

when I get home, I will take pictures and show you guys what I see.

 

[BoatDrinksQ5]

Re: Is my boat going to die? Or is the marina trying to screw me?

My understanding is that you should be able to drill into the transom in a couple spots to check condition of dust (or lack of) and then fill if OK with a proper filler. That is one of the first steps i always read.

good luck

 

[Michigan Jason]

Re: Is my boat going to die? Or is the marina trying to screw me?

This is depressing, I bought the boat for 8k 3 years ago and love it. It runs strong and is in great condition (or not?) I hope there is something else not the transom causing the leak. I will show you guys later.

 

[etracer68]

Re: Is my boat going to die? Or is the marina trying to screw me?

I would think, when they did service the outdrive, they should have noticed it then.

 

[Michigan Jason]

Re: Is my boat going to die? Or is the marina trying to screw me?

I would think, when they did service the outdrive, they should have noticed it then.

that is why the boat is in there, for this:
Remove and replace oil filter, fuel filter, oil, distributor cap,
rotor and spark plugs. Run diagnostic software for your
engine. Check timing, belts and hoses. Clean flame arrestor,
check alignment. Remove outdrive, check gimbal and
boots, change the lube, check and grease u-joints & spline,
replace gaskets and reattach. Set carburetor if applicable.
Pressure test drive

this is what they just did, the "spring special" and now I get that news.

 

[Scott Danforth]

Re: Is my boat going to die? Or is the marina trying to screw me?

$3k is not a bad price. I spent a little less than half that on materials for my transom, stringers and bulkhead and did the work myself.

I know the feeling you have currently in the pit of your stomach. it is something that can be fixed.

if you decide to do it yourself, we can help. if you decide to have the marina do it, there is mastercard.

 

[H20Rat]

Re: Is my boat going to die? Or is the marina trying to screw me?

A second opinion is always good, but you very likely have a rotten transom and stringers.

So you mentioned water in the hull already, that is bad sign number one. How was the boat stored? Plug out and bow up? Boats that are stored like that rarely have transom/stringer rot.

 

[tpenfield]

Re: Is my boat going to die? Or is the marina trying to screw me?

Well I assume that you are on your way to look at the boat . . . you should be able to tell if the transom is rotten, etc.

The issue will be if that is the only thing that is rotted on the boat, or if there are other things rotting as well. So, it would be best to look in other areas of the boat for similar problems.

It will be expensive to have fixed . . . that is why you see so many threads in the Restoration Forum of this site about folks fixing their own boats.

 

[laserbrn]

Re: Is my boat going to die? Or is the marina trying to screw me?

Would I put it as "you're screwed"? No. This is really common and the other guys are right, stringers are probably rotten too, but it's not 100%. It's pretty close to 100% though. It's not really your fault or the previous owners fault. This is a problem with BOATS in general. They use wood, fiberglass over it and that is susceptible to damage. You have a 1995 boat, so it's nearly twenty years old. It's made out of wood....and it's 20 years old and it gets wet. It's more than likely full of foam that also holds the water in there. It's not really a matter of getting hosed, it's a normal occurence.

It's part of owning boats and its definitely part of owning old boats. I'd just plan on a tear down and rebuild in the near future. T

 

[sbbamafan]

Re: Is my boat going to die? Or is the marina trying to screw me?

Hit the transom with a hammer (not so hard as to mar it) and see if it sounds hollow or dull. It should sound like you are hitting a piece of steel. Do the same to the stringers under the engine.

 

[greenbush future]

Re: Is my boat going to die? Or is the marina trying to screw me?

Any water intrusion into the transom will cause this to happen, it is very comon. Be glad your mechanic caught this and told you, it could rip the entire back of your boat off while in use if you do nothing. You can inspect and confirm this by drilling into your transom, from the inside with a drill. Only go about 1/2 the thickness, not all the way through!! check your drill shavings. Nice light colored wood is good, wet moist, darker = rot. And I'll bet you a dollar you will need new floors too, and maybe the stringers under the floor too. You need to see where that water came from, (usually an old screw hole on the transom not sealed up) but check every screw in your transom, that is usually the problem. And $3K isnt out of the question. How good are you on basic construction? You can save a ton doing it yourself. Read all these stories here in this section, and you will get the idea of what you can do.

 

[Restless22]

Re: Is my boat going to die? Or is the marina trying to screw me?

I am so sorry this happened to you. Things like this have me rethinking a used boat purchase. I'm not sure I'm ready for misery.

 

[SDSeville]

Re: Is my boat going to die? Or is the marina trying to screw me?

How does such a thing occur over a winter? Everything seemed fine last year

Happened to me. Transom was waterlogged and rotten the prior summer -- but no leaks. It dried (and shrunk) enough over the winter to form a gap between the transom plate and the transom -- big leak.

 

[Michigan Jason]

Re: Is my boat going to die? Or is the marina trying to screw me?

A second opinion is always good, but you very likely have a rotten transom and stringers.

So you mentioned water in the hull already, that is bad sign number one. How was the boat stored? Plug out and bow up? Boats that are stored like that rarely have transom/stringer rot.

Prior to purchase boat was crate stored its whole life. I trailered it and with.terized and covered it for would.terms last three seasons

 

[74bayliner]

Re: Is my boat going to die? Or is the marina trying to screw me?

sorry to here that. But rest assured you will be helped here!!! there are resources everywhere to get items to do it yourself and many videos on here that guide you along! good luck please post pictures when you cant

 

[Michigan Jason]

Re: Is my boat going to die? Or is the marina trying to screw me?

I am not sure I have the means to do this job myself. But there are zero signs and you guys will see...once I get to the boat and take pics.