rotting transom???????

[jim.L]

just bought a 1998 smoker craft that had a entry step on the transom.when i tried to get in the first time it ripped out.got it out of the water and water came out of the drilled holes.the dealer said he would look at it and seal it up.how long does it take or how can i tell if it is bad?what if there is still water in there and the dealer seals it in will the water drain out?

 

[DJ]

Re: rotting transom???????

jim,<br /><br />Sealing it will only make matters worse.<br /><br />The water needs to be thoroughly drained and the transome repaired. Not an easy or cheap job.

 

[Solittle]

Re: rotting transom???????

jim - If it is rot my advice is to do whatever it takes to get your money back.<br /><br />To check, take a mallet or hammer and tap the inside of the transon all over and particularly near those holes. You will hear a distinct difference in the sound where the rotten wood is. If you have access directly to the wood poke at it with an ice pick.<br /><br />Once you have rot the only thing that you can do is dig it out and replace it. It will never dry or drain out and only will get worse.<br /><br />Be very weary of a dealer whose solution is to seal the holes. All he is doing is sealing in the rot.

 

[jim.L]

Re: rotting transom???????

ok the dealer says its fine and transoms are alot tuffer now days .bs i think so,any way he wants to seal the holes and give me a ten year written warrenty.would this work for you?he is telling me the transom is not fully sealed from the inside so it can breath.only two holes where in the wood.so i ask you will a little water hurt or not? the boat is sweet and i want to keep it, i poked what wood i could and it was hard.what would you do ?

 

[DJ]

Re: rotting transom???????

Jim,<br /><br />The "tougher" part is BS. The warranty is only as good as the dealer.<br /><br />It is true, that most aluminum boat, if that's what this is, transoms are not truly sealed.<br /><br />Most aluminum boat transoms (wood section) do not cover the whole rear of the boat. Most sit in an interior channel. I would make sure there are some drain holes in the bottom of that channel. If they are not there now, make the dealer drill some.