Why do transoms go bad on boats?

[BugsBunnyBoater]

I been in boating for years and never really understood why transoms go bad on boats.
Is it that water gets in he mounting holes for outdrives and outboards.
Is it that water gets in holes for transducers?
There seems to be a ton of fixing transom post.

 

[jigngrub]

Re: Why do transoms go bad on boats?

You got it, water intrusion from improperly sealed penetrations on fiberglass boats is one of the main causes... there's also the neglect factor.

It's mainly just exposure for aluminum boats, with the majority of it being negligence... neglecting to protect the boat from the elements when not in use.

 

[H20Rat]

Re: Why do transoms go bad on boats?

I been in boating for years and never really understood why transoms go bad on boats.
Is it that water gets in he mounting holes for outdrives and outboards.
Is it that water gets in holes for transducers?

Pretty much summed it up right there. Water gets in where it isn't supposed to be. Once that happens, rot either destroys the wood, or freeze/thaw cycles turn the wood to dust.

 

[BugsBunnyBoater]

Re: Why do transoms go bad on boats?

So if you dont add holes for a transducer or dill your transoms you lessen or eliminate the chance of rot?

 

[tpenfield]

Re: Why do transoms go bad on boats?

All I know is that at the factory where the boats are made they lay-up the hull, add the wood reinforcements in the transom, stringers and bulkheads. Then they seal all that up with fiberglass, resin, etc.

Once everything is all nice and sealed up, they send the boat down the assembly line to the next set of processes where they cut and drill holes in everything that they just sealed up. . . .

That's why transoms, and wood reinforcement in general, rot in boats.

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: Why do transoms go bad on boats?

the fewer the holes, the better. Well sealed holes are important. but there's a lot of movement back there. Plus once water gets in, it doesn't drain out. Since nothing is waterrtight, there is a reason sometimes to leave things open to drain rather than sealed. Not a full transom, though, but the top board in a tinnie, a plywood mounting plate, etc.

Also instead of screwing something into a transom, consider gluing it on. Or screwing a piece of wood or, better, starboard, onto which other things are mounted by screws.

 

[Midnight Krawler]

Re: Why do transoms go bad on boats?

It's called planned obsolescent. Manufactures could easily use sealers on the wood parts, but that would make the boat last longer.

 

[Bondo]

Re: Why do transoms go bad on boats?

It's called planned obsolescent. Manufactures could easily use sealers on the wood parts, but that would make the boat last longer.

Ayuh,..... ding- ding- ding,... We have a Winner....

 

[Solittle]

Re: Why do transoms go bad on boats?

To add a tad to the above - Water in wood causes fungus. Fungus causes rot. Her is a twist - automotive antifreeze kills fungus - so if you have mild rot in a low stress area flood with antifreeze. Antifreeze will also kill the fungus that many folk have on their toenails - I haven't tried that one.

 

[tboltmike]

Re: Why do transoms go bad on boats?

the top edge of the transom usually has a metal cap to trim the raw edge. If not properly sealed or if the seal deteriorates the edge of the plywood can take on water.
Over they years, my transome had taken the scars of transducer mounting of the latest greatest technology. I plugged the holes with epoxy and dowels and installed a sacrificial plastic plate for current and future mountings.

 

[CaptainKickback]

Re: Why do transoms go bad on boats?

I want to focus in more on the killing of the toenail fungus with antifreeze...... no I don't. lol

My belief is neglect is the #1 cause. Most boats come sealed from water intrusion. However, with age comes stiffening of the sealant materials. With use comes vibration. Stiff materials vibrating, not maintained, and your wood starts to look like toenails.

Proper maintenance includes re-sealing things now and then, and periodic inspection for cracks in the fiberglass. Fix them quick and no problem.

If you've noticed, most boats that need new transoms also show signs of neglect throughout the boat.

Sea ya...