Ouch! I won’t say that all owners are to blame because of what I saw done from the factory on my 198. On the older boats I guess the blame could be said that the owners didn’t re-seal the transoms ever; but for most it’s a daunting task to pull a motor. I am very much glad that my transom is composite because it would have been gone by now with what the factory did NOT do. I sure hope Charger is better at using sealant than what the crew was that assembled mine.
Hopefully the Mtn. Home guys had more pride than the Tennessee boys did.
I do wonder, what was the sealant of choice back 20-30 years ago, silicone?