Oh, No!

[macgyver69]

I'm working on getting the boat ready for the water. This is my first boat and I just bought it in Febuary. I did a tune up on the engine, fired it up, tuned the carb (rebuilt) and swapped in fresh gas. I resealed the lower unit after having to have the prop shaft straightened. <br /><br />Everything was looking good. I filled up the bilge with water to check the pump. Pump ran but didn't pump anything. I got out of the boat to take the plug out to drain and ----- saw water running out of the transom at the base of where the outdrive goes in. <br /><br />Upon closer inspection, there is a crack about an inch and a half long on each side of the drive mount near the bottom. <br /><br />I know the previous owner hit something pretty hard 'cause there was a prop in the boat that was just mangled and of course the bent propshaft. But it looks like it was hit hard enough that it pushed the transom plate on the inside into the transom and cracked the 'glass on the outside. I've read up quite a bit on transom repair, but before I get into something like that, I need to get the boat in the water and find out if everything else is OK to see if a new transom is going to be worth it.<br /><br />To make a short story long, I need to know how to patch this so I can at least get it wet to test everything out.<br /><br />Thanx in advance.

 

[SpinnerBait_Nut]

Re: Oh, No!

Boat Topics and Questions

 

[paulie0735]

Re: Oh, No!

Really don't see the point, that transom is gunna need to be removed and a new one glassed in regardless, real question is do your do it or unload the boat to some other hapless buyer.

 

[studlymandingo]

Re: Oh, No!

You can get an epoxy stick that is made to make marine repairs. I would make sure the area is sanded well before pushing the mixture into the crack. Make sure the bilge is pumping outside the boat BEFORE you get in the water. I wouldn't get too far offshore, the crack could be under the outdrive as well. I assume this is an I/O. Are the bellows in good shape? This is a temporary patch, and I would definitely repair the transom if you decide you want to keep the boat.

 

[Reel Poor]

Re: Oh, No!

I would not recommend running the boat with a broken/cracked transom plate or gimble housing. If both or either of these is cracked enough to do transom damage the drive will be out of alignment with the engine and will cause other problems if its run like that for even a short time.

 

[gspig]

Re: Oh, No!

I will tell you from experience because the same thing happened to me. First check the condition of the transom. It is most likely rotten. If by some strange chance it is not, then check the condition of the mounting bolts for the gimble housing. The should be 6 to 8 bolts going through the transom that clamp the gimble housing to the inner transom ring (rear engine mounting plate). It could be possible that a bolt is broken or that the nuts are loose. <br /><br />Fix the problem. If there is a gap, your driveshaft alignment will be off and you will ruin your coupler. Trust me, I know.

 

[Jdeagro]

Re: Oh, No!

Don't put it back in the water. It is already apparent that you have damage. Get some reliable advice and / or help, and make the appropriate repairs. Remember that the transom takes the most stress. I would go back to the previous owner for compensation unless he disclosed the problem at the time of sale.<br /><br />I am not an expert in this area, just have a lot of experience in boating over the years. Safety should never be compromised.

 

[Silvertip]

Re: Oh, No!

I echo the responses from everyone else. I once witnessed a boat go down below the lock and dam on the Mississippi River at Hastings, MN. Three gents were testing the boat before buying it and didn't realize the transom was bad. They were mid stream when it let go. The anchor line surfaced and I managed to snag and hold it until the authorities showed up with a bigger boat and tugged it to shore. A truck dragged it onto the beach and upon inspection a 4-inch gap had opened.

 

[dajohnson53]

Re: Oh, No!

I echo what's been said - a broken transom is not acceptable unless you specifically bought it as-is. I'd at least talk to him and see if he'll accept any responsibility.