Spectrum 1606 Transom replacement

[MarkJ07]

I decided to take a peek at the inside of the transom of my, new to me, '92 Spectrum 1606. The area of the transom that the outboard is bolted to is solid but both outside edges of the transom have some rot starting. This is probably one of those dumb questions but...how important is this part of the transom to the integrity of the boat? Putting some weight on the outboard I do not see any flexing. I have not had this boat on the water.


Thanks,
Mark

 

[Woodonglass]

Re: Transom structural question___Please take a look

Re: Transom structural question___Please take a look

Welcome to iBoats!

Rot is like Cancer. Once you got it, it never goes away and it always spreads. Since it's on the far corners I suspect you'd be ok for this season but next fall you'd do well to replace it.

 

[jackd1023]

Re: Transom structural question___Please take a look

Re: Transom structural question___Please take a look

Hey Mark, just got done pulling my 18' spectrum apart, Check it out. My old transom with corners rotten weighed about 100 lbs. Waterlogged and can pull it apart by hand. I would go ahead an pull and replace, its a lot cheaper than if your engine ends up in the drink.

 

[dozerII]

Re: Transom structural question___Please take a look

Re: Transom structural question___Please take a look

Drill the rivets in the transom corner caps and pull them so you can take a look at the top outside corners, this is usually where the water comes in and the rot starts. If the ply is mush under there then your transom wood is not transferring the loads to the gunwales across the aluminum skin and has lost it's integrity.

 

[pckeen]

Re: Transom structural question___Please take a look

Re: Transom structural question___Please take a look

If it is rotten on the outside, there is a good chance you have rot elsewhere as well on the transom.

 

[Watermann]

Re: Transom structural question___Please take a look

Re: Transom structural question___Please take a look

Hi Mark, welcome to iboats. Yeah ^^^^ what Peter says. Your taking your chances and on borrowed time with a rotten transom.

Your red mark can surely be extended all along the bottom of the transom that is inside the Z bracket which holds the entire bottom of the transom wood.

 

[MarkJ07]

Re: Transom structural question___Please take a look

Re: Transom structural question___Please take a look

Any tips on where to start? I have some 4ish inch aluminum gunnels that tie to the back area of the transom. I think I need to get those out of the way first to see what is next to be removed.

Thanks, Mark

 

[MarkJ07]

Re: Transom structural question___Please take a look

Re: Transom structural question___Please take a look

I removed two engine well drains to take a closer look at the inside of the transom by the engine. Wood feels moist and I can push an awl through it easily. I think its shot!

 

[jigngrub]

Re: Transom structural question___Please take a look

Re: Transom structural question___Please take a look

I removed two engine well drains to take a closer look at the inside of the transom by the engine. Wood feels moist and I can push an awl through it easily. I think its shot!
View attachment 226945View attachment 226944

Yeah, moist soft wood is bad.

This may sound extreme to you but you'll be a lot better off to go ahead and disassemble your boat completely. Given the age and condition of the transom I'll wager you have problems elsewhere that need attention too.

I'd start by removing all of the decking and checking it for moisture content and rot, then core sample and check the floatation foam for water saturation. With a rotten transom the chances are really high that you have saturated floatation foam that is weighing down your boat with a couple hundred pounds or more of water weight that's slowing down your boat, decreasing performance and fuel economy.

You should also check your hull for leaks below the waterline and repair any leaks you find.

This forum thrives on the "new to me boat" that has been neglected and exposed to the elements because most people don't know or want to take the time to care for and maintain a boat properly. If all boat owners knew how to care for their boats properly this forum would be a very dull and boring place.

 

[Watermann]

Re: Transom structural question___Please take a look

Re: Transom structural question___Please take a look

Man that sucks when a guy unknowingly buys someone's neglected rotten boat but fear not once you accept it then the rest is 'easy'. You have only one choice if you ask me, restore her better than she ever was.

After going through some of the threads here you should see the path you have to take. Start by removing the motor and getting it on a stand. We'll be here if you need any help. There is a bunch of videos on youtube on how to make the motor stands.

 

[MarkJ07]

Re: Transom structural question___Please take a look

Re: Transom structural question___Please take a look

I have an engine stand that I think I can modify to use for the outboard. Does anyone know how much the engine might weigh? Its a 2stroke, 4 cylinder, 40hp mercury.

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: Transom structural question___Please take a look

Re: Transom structural question___Please take a look

I have an engine stand that I think I can modify to use for the outboard. Does anyone know how much the engine might weigh? Its a 2stroke, 4 cylinder, 40hp mercury.

About 180 lbs and TOP heavy. A simple stand will hold it up http://forums.iboats.com/non-repair...ing-o-b-motor-stand-instructional-266570.html

Welcome to iboats!

 

[dude11]

Re: Transom structural question___Please take a look

Re: Transom structural question___Please take a look

Let me interject one real good tip--drink in all this info you'll be getting--there's some real smart fellows on here.AND remember this one,,They said (to me few years back) you'll need about five gal.I just thought righttttt.So I started with a gal.ended up it took 5 1/2gal.:lol:It's all very do-able,you'll always remember your first one.

 

[greenbush future]

Re: Transom structural question___Please take a look

Re: Transom structural question___Please take a look

Tin boat restores are much easier than glass boats, you could tear this down and have her back on the water in time for the bass opener. I own the bigger version of yours, and will be doing the same rebuild soon. That 40 merc is easy to remove, jump in and just ask questions here, you will get her fixed up and safe real quick if you choose to. One suggestion, don't put carpet back into your boat, it holds water and will contribute to more rot if not stored properly.

 

[MarkJ07]

Re: Transom structural question___Please take a look

Re: Transom structural question___Please take a look

I spend the day organizing the garage and making a wood adaptor for my engine stand to hang the outboard on. Tomorrow I will remove the engine so that I can get started. I did get a chance to practice removing some rivets on a few pieces to gain access to some internals.

 

[Tnstratofam]

Re: Transom structural question___Please take a look

Re: Transom structural question___Please take a look

Mark I made some supports for my engine stand using 2x4s I had lying around my garage. The biggest problem with using an automotive engine stand for me is the height it puts the engine at. It works, but I think I will be building the stand Bob has a link to for future engine repairs. My engine is a 75hp and is pretty heavy. I ended up using some ratchet straps for some added stability once I got my engine where I wanted it in my garage. Here are some pictures.







Like I said it works, but it is a little unstable so I think the wood stand is a better choice. Just my opinion. I'm in the process of redoing the transom in my starcraft right now.
Good luck with your transom, and :welcome:

 

[MarkJ07]

Re: Transom structural question___Please take a look

Re: Transom structural question___Please take a look

I started the engine and let it run for about 10 minutes. I followed that with a compression check. Everything looked good so I started the engine removal. The hardest part was the steering shaft removal. Now I can start with removing the transom cap/ engine well piece.

 

[Watermann]

Re: Transom structural question___Please take a look

Re: Transom structural question___Please take a look

First step taken, now onto the tear down.

 

[bonz_d]

Re: Transom structural question___Please take a look

Re: Transom structural question___Please take a look

Sounds like you have a firm handle on this and what you need to do. Just don't rush it and all will turn out well!

Us tinners have it so much easier than the glass guys!

 

[greenbush future]

Re: Transom structural question___Please take a look

Re: Transom structural question___Please take a look

Go spend a few $$ and build a decent safe motor stand, they are really easy and you will find it better to use than the engine holder you have now. It looks kind of unsafe.