Transom woes

[walkingfish]

God, here i go again.<br /><br />1989 Baliner 19.5 Ft Capri Cuddy - 125Hp Force<br /><br />Took my boat out today, (shoudn't have!!)<br />wind and swell picked up enough that waves were breaking over the bow of the boat, crapped myself all the way back to the harbour!<br /><br />Done my usual, wash the boat, flush the motor but something looked a bit strange?<br /><br />Of the four bolts holding my motor on, one of the top two had pulled through the fibreglass on the transom.<br /><br />When i shake the motor you can see the washer moving (about a millimeter)<br /><br />I have this terrible feeling that my transom has gone soft.<br /><br />The transom itself does not move or flex but perhaps it's only gone soft around the bolts??<br /><br />How bad is this going to be?<br /><br />I bought the boat off a dealer about 3 months ago, and have only used it about 6 times due to the weather, should the dealer pay for this to be fixed, what would you expect?<br /><br />Give me the word (

)<br /><br />Brad<br />Invercargill<br />New Zealand

 

[mtp]

Re: Transom woes

Best thing to do is unbolt and remove one bolt (the loose one) at a time, replacing as you go. Poke and look to see if tansom material is "soft"/spongy or still solid. If it's solid you might consider getting large plates (stainless or aluminum flat bar stock- big enough to span across both bolt holes and then some) and using this to distribute weight and future torque on bolts and bolt hole areas. If transoms wet and or soft/spongy you can drill pilot holes outward and check to see how far/how bad - but be sure to check all the other holes too. You may need to take to someone who redoes transoms/fiberglass etc. Wood between glass is going to need to be dried out if wet and then repaired/reinforced... or replaced...Whatever you do, be sure you use a good sealant (not plain silicon) to seal bolts back in, when you get to that stage.<br /><br />Re who's responsible - check w/ your dealer, he might be "nice" and be willing to do work on a cost plus basis, but he may not have known there was a problem. Either that or the wave you took torqued the motor enough to pull the mounts through because of too small area supported by flat washers... not really his fault either. Good luck.

 

[DanMcK]

Re: Transom woes

Walkingfish: after you get your transom repaired, pull the the top bolts and make sure they are sealed. This a common mistake. When I bought My Bayliner in 1989, brand new, the top bolts were not sealed. I just found that My new Suzuki DF115, which is mounted on my 1989 Bayliner, top bolts are not sealed. Sealed them myself with 3M 5200. Dealers Do not understand that water can enter at this point. By the way my transom is still good after all these years. Best Wishes.

 

[herb]

Re: Transom woes

Dan,which model Bayliner do you have?<br /><br /> Thanks,Joe

 

[vincent2]

Re: Transom woes

well ?

 

[page62]

Re: Transom woes

(I'll try to be British here; i.e., very polite...)<br /><br />Have you considered fixing that boat and selling/trading for a boat that's better suited to your needs? As I said in the other threads, your Bayliner is a lovely lake boat, but offshore? On the Texas lakes (reservoirs) where I use my Bayliner runabout, I can always swim to shore if she sinks!<br /><br />Remember, that boat is the only thing between you and Davy Jones' Locker!

 

[DanMcK]

Re: Transom woes

Herb: I own 1989 Trophy CC 20'8" . I believe the model is 2103. sorry I did not see your request until today

 

[herb]

Re: Transom woes

Dan,Thanks for the reply.How has the boat been overall?I have a 1987-19 foot Trophy Center Console.This is the first year I have had the boat.It has a Force engine and from all the negative things that I have heard about the Bayliner/Force combo's I have been happy with this boat.<br /><br /> Thanks,Joe

 

[DanMcK]

Re: Transom woes

Herb: I bought the Bayliner with force 125hp new in 1989. I have many great years of fishing including some trips to the 28 mile wreck. This is not my first boat having owned a 26' inboard skiff and a mckee craft. The force motor is a decent motor if properly maintained. The biggest problem people have is that the rings stick ,break and then tear up the cylender. This can be avoided by using a good quality 2-cycle oil. Decarbon these engines and they will give good service. The next problem is that these engines have pollution problems , therefore values have taken a dive. Dealers will give you little or nothing if you try to trade in on new motor. I like My Trophy, no teak ,no carpet, handles good. My force was still running when I bought the Suzuki four stroke. Like anything else time takes a toll on all engines, as they age they break down.Repairs gets to be an issue. The Suzuki df115 on the trophy is a dream come true. Good luck

 

[page62]

Re: Transom woes

Hey walkingfish! We didn't scare you off, did we?

 

[walkingfish]

Re: Transom woes

Hi Page,<br />Not at all, still alive and kickin'<br /><br />It seems that i'm just over-cautious (paranoid) and all the glass and underlying wood is in good shape.<br /><br />Some fool overtightened the bolts on the transom and has pulled the washer through the gelcoat and cracked a small area of glass, but, no rot!!<br /><br />I have got the boat in the shop now getting this fixed, how does this sound.....<br />Motor removed, aluminium plate made up to fit the transom, (both sides but only as big as the bracket on the trailing edge, a ton of silkaflex (goop)) and the motor replaced.<br /><br />Added bonus... Tilt/Trim pump replaced so that it doesn't leak down any more.<br /><br />This is whats happening, i was told the crack in the glass is not structural and that the goop and the bracket will seal it off and prevent any further damage, what do you reckon??<br /><br />By the way despite what anyone else is saying, i do like my boat, the ride, and the performance works out to be very good value for money (in N.Z. anyway) and i just hope that iv'e got what sounds to be a rare combo of good Bayliner, and good Force, and that they may serve me well into the future.<br /><br />I will post back hopefully with a face full of smiles when i get my baby back and can play with the trim (finally)<br /><br />Big Fish, Small bills

<br />W'fish.

 

[page62]

Re: Transom woes

Great! Your problems are definitely less than imagined. <br /><br />By the way, I have a "good" Force motor. I figure that any engine that has survived 15 years (and starts every time) is a good one. It's kind of like electronics -- either they blow real quick or they last a long time.<br /><br />But now that you don't have to spend a small fortune on structural repairs, consider finding a small "kicker" motor for emergency use. It doesn't have to be new or fancy or even expensive. Just make sure it starts when you need it.