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Probably not strange to whoever knows. I'm sure it's not good. What is it and does it need immediate attention? Those cracks have been there for a while I wasn't to worried until now I see this goo coming out. It is oozing because i'm sure its warmed up a bit from the direct sunlight its been getting lately....Any comments?
In the photo the goo is the brown spots that are visible in a couple spots
http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e1...g?t=1266100922
what year ranger and where are the cracks?
87, right rear of boat
Not much to ooze out of glass other than water intrusion. Are these cracks on the transom or top cap ?
How long have the cracks been there ?
Brown sludge like ooze out of any cracks, or bolt holes is usually a sign of water intrusion and wood rot if on the transom.
Ranger started using the Poltruded glass transom on some models in mid 1987, some early 87 models still had wood in the transom though.
If not on the transom, could still be water seeping into the glass mat under the gelcoat, the mat will absorb water like a sponge and will seep out as the gel contracts and expands in the weather.
Here's where its located on the right side. Thats not considered the transom right?
Again my fault in I backed the boat up into a fence and hit the upper area where you see the white patch just under the cover. It didn't damage the area where the cracks are but I believe they are a result of that mishap.
http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e1...g?t=1266108274
I don't think there's wood on that area, just up to the edge of the flat area where the motor is mounted. You probably have water in the foam and the foam is breakng down. Unfortunately, even closed cell foam will eventually soak up water if exposed to it enough and not given a means to dry out.
so is that something that needs immediate attention or something that I can live with?
If you have water seeping out, from either the glass mat or like Storm said, the floatation foam, then you have water getting in. Should be taken care of as soon as possible as you cannot tell from the outside how much water is getting into the mat/foam.
Eventually if enough moisture gets in it will start to cause structural problems, either the glass mat starting to delaminate, or the foam soaking water and breaking down, adding excess weight and possible getting to the mat from the inside.
That area has a floatation foam box and is prone to water intrusion,,,,,no wood in that area but no good either. Will eventually work its way into the stringers if not corrected,,,if not already. Can be coming from the floor area and seeping back,,,a good inspection is the only way to tell.
Next question, can I use marine tex on that area? Thinking of cutting out the area of the cracks then using Marine Tex to fill in the spot.
That after looking closer, may be an impact crack/cracks. It may seal it for awhile but will not fix the underlying problem...I would remove the batteries/battery pan/access that corner inside and start there and find out what is up inside first. Repair that issue then make repairs outside with proper glass-resin-flake-ect....
I have a 1980 Ranger and those curved areas on either side of the transom are made out of wood. They kerf cut one side of the wood, about 3/4 of the way thru, every inch to get the plywood to bend.
<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by ranger230v »</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">I have a 1980 Ranger and those curved areas on either side of the transom are made out of wood. They kerf cut one side of the wood, about 3/4 of the way thru, every inch to get the plywood to bend.</TD></TR></TABLE>
His boat is an 87, which is the year Ranger got away from wood. Depending on the month it was built, its a 50/50 shot if he has wood or not.
However you are correct about there being wood in that part, from 86 back.
I don't mean to bump this post to the top but I also have this same weird goo coming out of the gel coat (i think) of my 87 ranger. Only difference its my top cap that it happens too not the hull. I recently wet sanded the top since it was sun faded. I notice this same goo sometime after that. Its amber in color,sorty sticky like pine pitch on a cool day and it smells like some chemical. But it comes off easy with water and a rag. I'll take a photo of my boat when i get home.
Don't mean to sound whatever,, but, hey, it is a 87, run & fish it... not in a high stress area like where motor mounts or on the bottom,,,Its amber in color,sorty sticky like pine pitch on a cool day and it smells like some chemical
I wonder if Ranger used a resin that broke down with age.