Might have rot

[JoshOnt]

So around some holes in the transom I noticed a thud sound for about a total of maybe 8 sq inches. How would I go about fixing this or preventing it from growing? I plan to seal the holes when I get it back home in a few weeks but until then I figured I would work on a solution should the drill results turn out bad.

 

[hosteter]

If the transom is roten you must replace it.maybe just cut around the holes to see how far the transom is damaged and then replace the damaged sections.i replaced mine few months ago.its not a big deal.

 

[jbcurt00]

Remove and replace Josh. Anything less is a temorary measure that doesnt solve the problem, only masks it.

 

[fhhuber]

Yep... by the time you see symptoms of the transom rotting its done.

Hope its one of the easier to access transoms... and not into the stringers.

 

[JoshOnt]

Yep... by the time you see symptoms of the transom rotting its done.

Hope its one of the easier to access transoms... and not into the stringers.

Stringers are good, I drilled them last fall along with the transom but never though about around the holes.

 

[JoshOnt]

Remove and replace Josh. Anything less is a temorary measure that doesnt solve the problem, only masks it.

I can do this for just the tiny section correct? Not going to get into a full transom replacement anytime soon.

 

[jbcurt00]

No, not tiny pieces, the transom.

 

[JoshOnt]

No, not tiny pieces, the transom.

Guess it is staying how it is then.

 

[fhhuber]

You can get away with backing it up with more plywood... for a while (maybe a year). The rot spots will first start allowing bolts to move and potentially crack around the holes, then the whole transom starts to act a bit rubbery and you'll see cracks on each side of the engine... then the engine falls off, hanging by the control cables and the big hole in the transom sinks the boat.

I've heard of an engine climbing inside the boat too...

This is where you end up if you don't deal with it.

 

[JoshOnt]

You can get away with backing it up with more plywood... for a while (maybe a year). The rot spots will first start allowing bolts to move and potentially crack around the holes, then the whole transom starts to act a bit rubbery and you'll see cracks on each side of the engine... then the engine falls off, hanging by the control cables and the big hole in the transom sinks the boat.

I've heard of an engine climbing inside the boat too...

You have to be joking, if you think a tiny little spot it going to sink a boat within a year you are nuts. It is no close to the motor and is such a small area that I doubt it will have much impact for at year another 5-10 years if I can prevent it from getting worse which is what I asked not oh replace it all because we all have tons of time and money.

 

[jbcurt00]

Josh,
You've asked for advice, and been given good, sound advice based on lots of previous knowledge, experience and prior topics for reference.

If you dont agree, choose to disagree but that doesnt make the advice wrong or inaccurate.

Unless you core sampled 100% of the transom, 100% thru the entire thickness of the transom, you cant w certainty KNOW how much rot there is now, how much will be there half way thru the season or at any point there after. If you did put that many holes in the transom, it'd be swiss cheese anyway and need replacement.

It is equally likely that its worse then hou think then it is an isolated problem. That uncertainty is what the offered advice based on.

As several times prior, proceed as you see fit, it is your boat. It must float you and anyone you let aboard.

Yes boats are expensive, as is boat work. Time and money are the required price of admission

Wear PFDs and boat safely.

 

[fhhuber]

You have to be joking, if you think a tiny little spot it going to sink a boat within a year you are nuts. It is no close to the motor and is such a small area that I doubt it will have much impact for at year another 5-10 years if I can prevent it from getting worse which is what I asked not oh replace it all because we all have tons of time and money.

I'll bet the guy with the big hole in the back of his boat thought it was just a little rot spot too...

 

[redneckvulcanrider]

I thought mine was a little rot spot to. Intill I hit pot hole while towing and motor ended up in car grill behind me and tickets were issued and insurance went up. While the boat made a trip to junk yard.

 

[JoshOnt]

I thought mine was a little rot spot to. Intill I hit pot hole while towing and motor ended up in car grill behind me and tickets were issued and insurance went up. While the boat made a trip to junk yard.

I am going to test and make sure it is a little spot, I already know if it is big I need to replace the whole thing don't need to be told it. I was and still am since no one has actually answered the question on how to make sure a small spot does not grow.

 

[kcassells]

Termites probly. If you see a beach umbrella...there having a party on the wood.
Probably like everyone has said already.
The transom needs replaced. Sorry for the bad news but be careful. If the repair was able to be a repair the others prior wood have made a recommendation. AND they are much wiser than me.

 

[JoshOnt]

Termites probly.

I would doubt that since the hole is tiny and if it were they are now dead thanks to the freezing temps

 

[kcassells]

Sent you a pm.

 

[fhhuber]

Once the rot starts... you can't stop it without cutting ALL of it out. You can't get it all without replacing the whole transom.

 

[Fastatv]

Stringers are good, I drilled them last fall along with the transom but never though about around the holes.

Along with you, if it's only damaged in a small area, remove that area of damage, glass in the new wood, and be done with it. I say this for several reasons, one, you mentioned that you drilled stringers and transom "last Fall", and am assuming the core tests were good ( you didn't say there were bad ), second, if you only have a small area of rot, why would you want to bear the work/cost of replacing the entire transom, third, if it's a tiny area of wetness/rot ( may not even be rot ), I wouldn't worry about the engine falling off...LOL. Having said these things, if you do have a tiny area of wetness, there is a good chance that the water/moisture has "wicked" to other areas as well ( and from experience, it's basically impossible to dry out a transom ). And some years from now, if you really like the boat, have emotional attachment to it, you may want to replace the transom.

 

[JoshOnt]

Along with you, if it's only damaged in a small area, remove that area of damage, glass in the new wood, and be done with it. I say this for several reasons, one, you mentioned that you drilled stringers and transom "last Fall", and am assuming the core tests were good ( you didn't say there were bad ), second, if you only have a small area of rot, why would you want to bear the work/cost of replacing the entire transom, third, if it's a tiny area of wetness/rot ( may not even be rot ), I wouldn't worry about the engine falling off...LOL. Having said these things, if you do have a tiny area of wetness, there is a good chance that the water/moisture has "wicked" to other areas as well ( and from experience, it's basically impossible to dry out a transom ). And some years from now, if you really like the boat, have emotional attachment to it, you may want to replace the transom.

Thanks this is what I was looking for. I know I can't stop it fully but slowing/preventing more is the idea so that way it is good for at least another 5-10 years. The cores were nice and dry in the fall so I am pretty sure it is just the one small area. Thinking about it you may be right on the possibly just wet and not rotted. guess only cores will tell that. Will be doing 4 cores around the area I suspect and if all are dry I know it is just that small area and not the entire transom.

It is nice to see someone who is not saying just saying fully replace it or doom will occur.