Question about Rotten Transom

[thaddeus76]

My transom is seperated in 3 sections, with the middile panel recessed forward.
I noticed a hole in my transom, as depicted in the photo. Just from a tap test, I deduced that the area in question was the bottom 25% of this center section.

I started cutting from the inside and determined that the leak was coming from the drain plug, as the wood was the most damp aroung it. I pulled mushy wood until I started to meet resistance from the remaining plywood. I am letting it dry out.

The boat is an 86 and I dont plan on owning it more than another 3-5 years.

Is there an issue with using a fiber glass putty such as Fibral?

http://www.u-pol.com/countries/us/downloads/tds/FIB-TDS-US.pdf

According to a family member whos worked with fiberglass, it would be strong enough for what I need.

1.)Is fibral a good solution?
2.)Is there issue with spot treating and not replacing the entire panel? (Obviously which would require an engine pull)
3.)Is there any concern with marginally damp wood remaining?
4) If I sealed this up with Fibral, what would happen to the ramaining damp transom?
5)Are there any secondary problems associated with this type of damage? Could something other than the transom be damaged?

Thanks

 

[oops!]

Re: Question about Rotten Transom

ok....where do we start.....?

your transom is failling....your boat looks unsafe.

1. rot is a fungus......it will not stop....ever....(just like the terminator)
all the wet wood must be removed you can dry it out...but the fungus will remain.

2. i have never used the product you are talking about.

3. i would think this is a perfect candidate for seacast.

4. the stringers might be affected.

i think you need to replace the transom, or try a seacast repair....it is possible that you dont repair the whole transom......just the wet areas. but you will need to get in there........very possible motor pull

 

[Bondo]

Re: Question about Rotten Transom

Ayuh,......

You Don't Have a Transom to Repair,......

Your Whole Drive,+ Motor are Not supported,... If your engine Coupler isn't already Shot,....
It will be Soon.....

That's Not the kind of damage that can be repaired with Any sort of slather it in,+ Hope for the Best Putty.....Fibral or Seacast.....

You Need some New Wood in there......

3 to 5 years is Out of the Question,.....
That boat won't make the end of This season, Safely.....

 

[thaddeus76]

Re: Question about Rotten Transom

Thanks for the responses. I having the outdrive taken off to inspect the coupler. Looking into my options for a local transom repair.

Thanks again

 

[TriadSteeler]

Re: Question about Rotten Transom

Do it yourself. A local boat yard is going to charge you around 2K to replace the transom. You will be able to do it yourself for around $200-$500.

There are several folks on this board (including myself) who were probably at the very same skill level as you are now when we started.

There are also several people here who will guide you thru it step by step. There are literally hundreds of posts on this forum complete with pictures, questions being answered, and step-by-step instructions on transom replacement. Not to mention an army of experts who will give you sound advice on all questions you might ask.

You have people like tashasdaddy (who has restored enough boats to fill a marina), oops (who makes the seemingly impossible, possible) and Gary H NC (who is the seacast expert) who will answer all of your questions as you go. There will also be people like me chiming in to prevent you from making some of the mistakes that I and others have made during our own restorations.

When you read some of the posts you will see the same thought process over and over again. Is it bad....How can I repair it, Steel, Aluminum, git-rot.......OK its coming out......What wood should I use......Poly or Epoxy......Cloth or Roving.......this stuff is itchy.......to.....Look everybody at my new transom/stringers/deck.


You will also want to look at the deck very carefully. Unfortunately, many times when the transom is rotted, the deck and stringers are also on their last legs

 

[Gary H NC]

Re: Question about Rotten Transom

good advice oops and TriadSteeler,
By the pics of the transom i'm afraid it will need a full repair.
A boat shop will probably be more in the 3 to 5k range.
Pull the drive then the engine and dig into it.
Post as many pics as you can and you will get plenty of help.
Seacast would run you about 600 to 900 bucks.If you go back wood and glass you may spend 400 to 500 or so.
It just depends on how fast you want to get it back in the water.
NO way i would run it like it is.
Don't feel bad,i think most of us have had the rot experience...

 

[thaddeus76]

Re: Question about Rotten Transom

Thanks Triad and Gary

I'm over here at High Rock Lake in Lexington.

When you have the motor pulled, do you do it yourself, or do have a mechanic yank it? I called a while back and the local marine wanted 3 hours to pull it and 3 hours to reinstall it for a total of $360.


Also, as previously mentioned, my tansom is seperated into 3 sections, with the center panel recessed forward and the only portion having the rot. Can I get away with just replacing the center section? (see pictures)
That would obviously greatly reduce my costs.

You will also want to look at the deck very carefully. Unfortunately, many times when the transom is rotted, the deck and stringers are also on their last legs

The 2 only soft spots I've found is where the motor box pivots forward, and near the battery box. The spot near the battery box had a nail size hole, and when I peeled it back there was some wet, but not rotten, foam. I started digging it out and stopped when I reached dry foam, at about the size of a baseball. I figured this was unrelated to my transom issue and just associated with the hole. Beyond that, and not going crazy, how do you check your deck and stringers?

 

[erikgreen]

Re: Question about Rotten Transom

If you're completely sure (via drill test) that that's the only rotten section, then replacing just that will work.

But be sure... you don't want to have to do this twice.

I removed my engine myself.. but that's not a bad price for what's involved. See if you can get them to remove it and store it, or put it in a truck for you to store. Once you finish the transom, take it back to them for re-install.

Erik

 

[thaddeus76]

Re: Question about Rotten Transom

Yeah, they said they would store it there on a pallet for that price.

 

[Gary H NC]

Re: Question about Rotten Transom

Thats worth the money for remove and replace.
You have to remove the floor to get to the stringers.Now would be a good time to replace the soft floor and check everything under it.
The way that boat is made the top cap will need to be removed..Or the complete inner of the transom skin cut out to get to the wood. A project it will be..

HighRock Lake, I used to fish there all the time when i lived in Thomasville..

 

[Coors]

Re: Question about Rotten Transom

For $360, let them do it. That is a cheap engine r+r. But you still have to pull everything else, right?

 

[thaddeus76]

Re: Question about Rotten Transom

For $360, let them do it. That is a cheap engine r+r. But you still have to pull everything else, right?

That was a price to take to boat to the Marine, have them disconnect and pull the motor, store it on a pallet. Once I was ready, I would take the boat back, they would drop it in, and reconnect everything.

Is that what you meant?

 

[Gary H NC]

Re: Question about Rotten Transom

Thats what he meant....Not a bad price at all and them storing it is a big plus..

 

[Coors]

Re: Question about Rotten Transom

That is a sweet deal.