Water Dripping From Transom Screw Hole

[four winns 214]

In the process of replacing it, I removed the pitot bracket from the transom of my '84 Sea Ray cuddy this evening. Water immediately began dripping from the lowest screw hole. I watched it and timed it- a drip every two seconds for at least 20 minutes. I stopped watching after that. The boat has kept in the water for this season. How should I deal with this problem? The surrounding transom seems to be sound.

 

[jbcurt00]

I/O or outboard?

I doubt the surrounding transom is as sound as you suspect.....

To that end, a question:

Where IS the water until it drips out of that little screw hole?

 

[four winns 214]

I/O or outboard? I doubt the surrounding transom is as sound as you suspect..... To that end, a question: Where IS the water until it drips out of that little screw hole?

It's an I/O. Of course, that's the question: Where is the water coming from? The inside of the transom behind where the bracket is fastened is dry. Of course, I don't have a good feeling about this.

 

[83mulligan]

It may have come in through screws in the transom that were not sealed up well when installed. I had that problem on my old slickcraft. What you are going to have to do is take some core samples from the inside and see what is dry and what is not. Looking at the face on the inside won't tell you anything. I'm not trying to be a downer on your hopes, but once water gets in it spreads everywhere and causes a lot of damage. There are hundred and hundreds of threads on here that started with what you are looking at. Good luck with everything, I hope you find lots of nice dry shavings when you drill. If not, there are lots of really good and knowledgeable people here to walk you through how to fix it.

 

[Woodonglass]

It's an I/O. Of course, that's the question: Where is the water coming from? The inside of the transom behind where the bracket is fastened is dry. Of course, I don't have a good feeling about this.

That is an impossibility. If water is coming out of the hole for an extended period of time then the inside of the transom in that particular area is NOT dry. The extent of the wetness is what is in question. They do make moisture meters that can determine this. You can also drill some holes on the inside of the transom to determine the extent of the wet wood. Boats of this vintage, many times have extensive problems with wet and rotting transoms. I strongly encourage you to begin a thorough investigative probe of the overall condition of the core of your transom

 

[tpenfield]

the water is coming from inside the transom, most probably from the wood that has soaked it up over the past 30 years. Sometimes there is a cavity that has water, but that tends to rush out rather than drip.

 

[four winns 214]

I'm going to try to get the owner of a large local body shop to take a look at this issue. He can be hard to schedule, but he's a boater and his shop does a lot of transom repairs and boat fiberglass work in addition to myriad cars, trucks and busses. To test the soundness of a transom, he uses a souvenir Louisville Slugger bat (I'm not kidding) and raps all over the it. His shop replaced a bulkhead on my boat a couple years ago. Before the work was performed the transom and stringers passed his inspection. We'll see what happens. I'll post an update.

 

[JASinIL2006]

I'm not sure how much stock I'd put in a knock test. My transom had several sections that were pretty thoroughly rotted, but a knock test revealed noting, nor did the "bounce on the outdrive test." One thing that can make it tricky to check the transom from the inside is the practice of finishing the engine compartment with plywood panels (often carpeted) that conceal the transom. Removing those panels, if your boat has them, might allow you to know if you have a problem or not. I hope all is well, but water dripping out of those holes would make me very concerned. Many of us (me included) know the sick feeling of making this kind of discovery. I hope everything's OK with your boat, but it doesn't sound so good...

 

[Fastatv]

In the process of replacing it, I removed the pitot bracket from the transom of my '84 Sea Ray cuddy this evening. Water immediately began dripping from the lowest screw hole. I watched it and timed it- a drip every two seconds for at least 20 minutes. I stopped watching after that. The boat has kept in the water for this season. How should I deal with this problem? The surrounding transom seems to be sound.

Water is in the transom, not doubt about it, and of course once in there, its there forever. It really depends on how long the water has intruded, and to what damage it has caused. If you do a core check ( and the thump tests ) and find that the transom is still solid, it could still last for many years to come. What I have done a couple of times was to use a heat gun ( be careful if you do this as too much heat for too long will begin to show the woven roven in the gelcoat ), and dry that particular area ( but the water/moisture will assuredly wick back ) well enough to be confident the sealer will adhere, and the reattach the pitot, and go on my way. Good luck!

 

[four winns 214]

Update: The water was coming from foam. An 18x30 inch section of floor was taken up and foam replaced and some glass work done. Adjacent stringer still sound and transom solid as a rock. I got lucky.

 

[JASinIL2006]

Great news! Dry shavings from drill tests on the transom and stringers in the area, I assume? Glad you dodged a bullet!