Stress Cracks

[jgoeden]

Hey guys,

Can you give me some advice on getting these fixed? How can I determine if it's just gel-coat cracks or through the fiberglass? On a scale of 1 - 10, 10 being extremely difficult, what is the level of difficult-ness?

The boat seems to take on a little more water than what I would think is normal (this is my first boat, I bought it in July), but the bilge pump is able to keep up with it.

I've read some stuff online about gel-coat stress crack repairs, but I don't know how deep I'm in. A guy on Craigslist said he would do it for $600. Is that too much?

Thanks for the help.
Justin

 

[proshadetree]

Re: Stress Cracks

Looks like it is time for a transome inspection. That sealer around the plate has got me thinking you have a leak there. If that is ice you might want to thaw that stuff up and eliminate the source of water from entering the boat. I think gelcoat is the least of your problems.

 

[ondarvr]

Re: Stress Cracks

Like what he ^^^ said, the actual gel coat cracks are not the issue, they're a sign of other problems, most likely rotten wood in the transom.

 

[idonthaveaname]

Re: Stress Cracks

"The boat seems to take on a little more water than what I would think is normal"

Dude, as a rule boats shouldn't "take on water." That's the first sign something is wrong. Granted, some are designed as such, but I want my boat as dry as possible. Nonetheless, forget the Craigslist guy for now and get your vessel check at a marina by a qualified tech. An estimate can save you a ton of money and woe. Personally, I don't let anyone do work for me unless it's by recommendation unless it's a pro business, and even then I do my homework first.

Remember the golden rule...there are no short cuts.

 

[Yacht Dr.]

Re: Stress Cracks

Ill fix those cracks for 500 bucks.... 2 things Ill guarantee..

1. you will pay me cash and say wow..cool..thanksalot..
2. Those cracks will come back..

Looks like a popcicle trans to me.. you will have to remove ALL hardware from the trans..then..more then likely replace the trans.. 600 bucks will give you an intro into things..but not the whole thing done Right IMHO...

YD.

 

[jgoeden]

Re: Stress Cracks

Thanks for the replies. The frozen water is from water getting into the boat from snow/ice/rain mix and a bad cover job I did. (I didn't prop up the center right). Anyways, still the least of my worries.

So you all think I've got a rotten transom? Dangit.....I only want the boat to get me through one more summer, after that I will have my RN license and be working and will be able to afford a newer, nicer boat than this clunker. Guess I didn't get such a good deal after all. It wasn't a steal, but it wasn't market price either.

Does that change anybody's prospective on anything? Can I just seal/patch the sh*t out of all of this, inside and out, to get through one more summer (of 1 weekend a month) boating? Or is it too risky?

 

[idonthaveaname]

Re: Stress Cracks

There has to be a boat dealer/repair business around you. Right? Let them take a look and give you an estimate of what is wrong and repair cost. Then you can make the right decision.

 

[proshadetree]

Re: Stress Cracks

You could pull it apart and then redo transom yourself and be good to go for several years. More pics and maybe someone will be able to tell you how difficult this will be.

 

[Cadwelder]

Re: Stress Cracks

You really should repair a transom properly, even if it's just for another year, (heck you may decide to keep it a bit longer once fixed) Regardless of your experience level there is enough know how here to get you through ANYTHING that might come up during the repairs.

 

[cbavier]

Re: Stress Cracks

Well I've seen a lot of Gel Coat /Fiberglass cracks and those ARE not! They are stress cracks either from Engine Outdrive Torque or from a rotten transom. There are several ways to tell for sure but you must wait until warmer weather. The boat must be completely thawed and dry on the outside of the hull.That is necessary to tell you how extensive the damage is. To will tell you, if the cracks are clear through the hull which indicates a more serious problem. There are many threads that tell you how to either remove the transom (Cut it out) or and replace it with a new one. There are also threads that will tell you how to take the cap off and dig out the rotten plywood and replace it with a filler. Either way there is a safe and proper way to repair it. By the looks of the picture the boat is not safe to use. IMO By the way you never did say where you and the boat are located but it must be completely thawed.

Chuck's Fiberglass

 

[divimon2000]

Re: Stress Cracks

I'm going against the grain here and saying the transom may be on its way out, but not necessarily going to blow up in a few years. My Whaler has similar and had them for many years. I've sample cored it, and its fine. Lots of stress back there and gel cracks with stress. I'd core sample it with a drill in critical spots myself, then get an estimate if it comes out wet/dark.
Having said that, it shouldn't take on water!

 

[ondarvr]

Re: Stress Cracks

Nobody is saying the pictured cracks go all the way through and that the cracks themselves are what?s leaking. What happens is a leak develops somewhere at a hull/transom penetration, or even possibly at a small crack, as the water migrates into the hull the wood becomes wet and rots. These small leaks may never be noticed because its such a small amount of water.

Later, maybe years down the road as the rot spreads, other components bolted through the transom start to leak, like all around the outdrive, this is when the leak becomes noticed and larger cracks may appear. By that time the entire thing needs to be repaired.

From the number of posts on this site about cracked transoms and leaks, I can say that about 99.9% of the time the wood is rotten, even if at first it may appear to be OK.

 

[mr 88]

Re: Stress Cracks

I wonder if both bellows are shot and that is where the majority of water if not all is coming from. Is your transom in need of attention, yes ,as everyone has mentioned. There may be a small possibility that it is solid and you can glass over the cracks for a season then dump it ASAP. www fiberglassics.com has a excellent write up pertaining to hazing/cracks/transom repair. Go to the research section and it is listed near the bottom of the page.

 

[jgoeden]

Re: Stress Cracks

Thanks everyone.

I'm researching what it take to repair the transom. I have an '86 Sea Sprite 195. I'm in central Indiana. Thawing won't come until April...

Any rough ideas on $$$. I know it's hard to say but is it like $300 or like $3000.

I can tell you that I will sink this damn boat before I drop $3000 into it!! HAHA

Thanks again for the replies. Looks like I'll be researching transom replacement...

 

[jgoeden]

Re: Stress Cracks

This seems like the easiest way to get the transom off...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5KyJlr93BG4

 

[proshadetree]

Re: Stress Cracks

Thats where my good boat went. The cracks are not what told me your transom might be rotten It was all the sealer running up the side of your drive. I will say you could do your transom for 300 to 3000 dollars. If you do it yourself and it is the center only 300 easy, including beer money. If your hire it out 3000 if your lucky.

 

[jgoeden]

Re: Stress Cracks

Ok how would I know if it's the center only? I'm not wanting to put a lot of work into this thing, not because I'm lazy, but I have a sh*t-ton going on in my life right now and a complete boat rebuild is NOT in the forecast.

To put it in easy terms, I am in 16.5 credit hour in the spring and I work 36 hours/week overnight. So I only get to sleep 4 nights a week.

Anyways, if it's just the "center" and not the ENTIRE rear end, I could probably do that. Am I gonna have to remove the motor?

Do you guys have any good links to threads (with pics) on transom repair/replacements? I did some searched and didn't come up with too much good info. Not trying to be lazy, but the basic searches didn't get me anywhere.

From what it sounds, here's the gameplan I'm gathering...
1. Remove outdrive.
2. From the inside, remove the fiberglass covering transom "plate" (can't think of what it's called) but the wood or composite piece.
3. Replace transom "plate" with something better that won't rot with water.
4. Re-fiberglass inside.
5. Replace outdrive.
6. Pray
7. Pray
8. Pray some more
9. Go boating

Did I miss anything? I can do $300, but $3000 is out of the question. I'll get out of boating and just have more money for golf...

Reminds me: anyone wanna buy a boat?

 

[jgoeden]

Re: Stress Cracks

Hey Proshade, stupid question. Well there are no stupid questions, only inquisitive idiots.... what about the sealer told you it might be a transom problem? I mean, I know it's sloppy, which is evident of sloppy work, but I'm just curious as to what exactly clues you into me having a bad transom?

Thanks!!!

 

[Yacht Dr.]

Re: Stress Cracks

What I ment by popcicled boat..is that Water got into the lams..then froze..expanded..then cracked your lam/gel...

Ive seen it before..the water in the trans/wood layer has failed..its popping your glass from the core ( plywood ).

There is no small way to suggest repairs untill you remove All hardware from the transom... poke around..look around your core/glass..

If your trans is Gone..then it gone...if not..then there are some other ways to fix XXX .. no telling untill you get the hardware removed from the trans and inspect.. IMO..

Nobody can tell you for sure ( I can say " nope..gonna have to replace the trans/stringers for sure right now ) but..I dont really know atm...

YD.