Transom condition

[muskyjim]

How does one check to see if the transom is in good shape? After reading a few threads related to this topic, I don't want to find out my transom was bad when my engine drops off the back of the boat and takes part of the boat with it.
I have 1969 Starcraft Sportabout with a 1979 70hp Johnson. The transom has a piece of wood mounted to the aluminum exterior of the boat. Not a very good desciption. I'm sure most of you know the design. I have crawled into the back of the boat and tightened the bolts that are fastened to the transom supports.Quite a few loose ones. Since finding those loose bolts I will be checking that part of the boat often.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Transom condition

jim whats on the inside on the boat. when someone adds to the outside, it's smells of trouble. post some pictures.

 

[muskyjim]

Re: Transom condition

I'll snap a few pics and attach them to the next thread. The rest of our recent snow should be gone and I can get to my boat.

 

[burroak]

Re: Transom condition

Jim,

I, too, am waiting for the White Death in Wisconsin to melt away. Without seeing pictures of your transom, I will speculate that the piece of plywood on the outside of the transom is original. Most Starcraft transoms have a piece of plywood on the outside used for shimming and to prevent chafing the aluminum skin of the transom. Loose screws and bolts are not a good sign. Get underneath the motor well and probe the plywood transom with a screwdriver. If the transom yields to the stabbing of the screwdriver, bite the bullet and go for a transom transplant.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Transom condition

burroak, gave you some good info, i will be out of touch till sunday night.

 

[muskyjim]

Re: Transom condition

I checked the condition of the wood on the transom with a car key. If the key could penetrate the wood then it probably is time for a transom transplant. The interior wood is good, little if any penetration. The exterior plywood is a little soft. I've seen worse.
I've tried several times to download pics.
I need more practice working in this forum.
Jim

 

[Frugal Floater]

Re: Transom condition

Post your pic on the web on a free site picture site such as:

http://photobucket.com/

Then copy/paste the URL. Once you create your photobucket login, you can link all your iboats pics.

 

[muskyjim]

Re: Transom condition

Pictures 2 and 3 are a starboard and port shot of the exterior of the transom. The wood on the interior that the motor is mounted to runs the full beam of the boat, pics 1 and 4. My access to the transom braces and bilge, battery, fuel tanks is about 2 feet in front of the transom.
If it is still too vague, let me know and I will try to take some better photos.
Thanks for the input everyone.
Jim
Thanks to dsiedt. Kudos for the help.