Transom Integrity

[opto55]

What do you look for to determine if the transom is solid when purchasing a used boat. Any tests or tips are welcome.
Thank you.

 

[southkogs]

Re: Transom Integrity

Some simple tests - push/pull (rather hard) and see if it flexes. You can tap on it to see if it sounds solid or hollow (solid isn't conclusive - hollow is bad).

A little more complex - you can pull some of the accessories / trim / rub rail and see if you can access the wood. You can drill core samples to see if the wood is wet.

Those are some starters ...

 

[Frank Acampora]

Re: Transom Integrity

I stand on the cavitation plate of larger engines and bounce. If the transom does not flex, it will withstand the forces of engine acceleration

 

[SDSeville]

Re: Transom Integrity

You can drill core samples to see if the wood is wet.

Seems like core samples are the only conclusive test, but will sellers really let you drill into their transoms?

 

[coolbri70]

Re: Transom Integrity

if you can see from inside the boat,look under the splashwell on outboards, or in the doghouse at the inside of tansom, black is bad, also on outboards, mounting bolts pulled thru glass or plates/large washers to stop them from pulling thru, aluminum plate = bad

 

[tazrig]

Re: Transom Integrity

What year make and model of boat is it? Some were so "overbuilt" that it's almost a given that the transom is good and some just the reverse. You can take a rubber mallet and bang on the transom looking for and hollow sounding spots, jump up and down on the cavitation plate on the motor, (horizontal fin just above the propellor) look for cracks where the transom joins the sides of the boat and bulges (rotting wood) along the transom itself. Although non of these tests by themselves point to a good or bad transom, if you have a bunch of them pointing in one direction or the other they should give you an overall idea of the shape of the transom. To answer your question, my guess is the seller is not going to let you drill core samples in his boat before you buy it.

 

[southkogs]

Re: Transom Integrity

Seems like core samples are the only conclusive test, but will sellers really let you drill into their transoms?

Not usually - but depending on age and condition, maybe. But that's why it was the last on the list.

Frank's method is how I've looked at them mostly. But, I've also unscrewed stuff on the stern to see what kinda' shape the wood looked to be in, too.

 

[opto55]

Re: Transom Integrity

The boat is a 1988 Campion 16.5 Fishing Machine with cc and bimini top. Merc 1986 115 and Johnson 15 hp kicker. How are these boats with respect to transom integrity?
Thank you.

 

[jigngrub]

Re: Transom Integrity

If an '88 model anything hasn't been well taken care of and covered or garaged when not in use the odds are higher that it will need work than not.

We're talking about a 24 yr. old boat, that most people don't know how to properly care for.

 

[opto55]

Re: Transom Integrity

If a transom is bad is it repairable?

 

[coolbri70]

Re: Transom Integrity

If a transom is bad is it repairable?

yes, do a search in the hull/restoration forums, lots of work, i did it, others too

 

[ziggy]

Re: Transom Integrity

maybe look for any screws that are into the transom from the outside (ie. ladder mount screws, speedo pitot tube screws, any screws that are loose) . look for stains running down the hull from the fastener. check and see if any fasteners are loose on the transom and see if they can be tightened up. won't tighten up would be a bad sign. with the loose fastener out, ya can probe the hole and see if ya can get any rotton wood out of it. or if it feels soft while probing. a stain running down from the garboard drain plug hole would make me suspicious of wood rot too (transom, stringers or sole).
fwiw, i remember when i was looking at boats. i past a couple by that had these conditions.