failed Transons

[CajunCopper]

I read so much about replacing transoms and rotten transoms that I have become almost paranoid about mine. I've done all the checks I can and everything seems fine.

It may sound bad but I'd like to see some pictures of failed transoms.

Maybe there aren't any, maybe the motor just shoot off to the bottom of the lake and the boat shortly follows.

Any pictures out there?

[ProcraftMike]

A bad transom can look just like a good transom, as the damage is normally underneath the skin. Some of the tell tale signs are cracks that flex in the splashell area, a slight bow to the transom, or you might even see where it is pulling away from the knee braces or other transom support areas. It is also common to get cracks around your motor mounting bolts/nuts, as the area inside the transom is rotten, so the fiberglass around the mounts starts to crack, because or lack of support underneath.

The best test is to trim the motor part way up and apply some up and down pressure. It shouldn't flex much at all, if any.

[perfect-storm]

Transoms fail from either poor quality work and materials, or from lack of maintenance. There is nothing wrong with a wood transom. Properly made and MAINTAINED, they will be around longer than any of us.
People want to do things like seal transom bolts, screws, pumps, etc with silicone because it comes off easier later on. Well, it also doesn't seal for very long. If you use quality sealants like 5200, and maybee every 5 to 7 years or so (give or take a couple years depending on amount of use) re seal eveything on your transom, it should never rot.
The new composites may hold up without good sealants but I doubt it. Only time will tell. Foams don't rot but they do break down. People have come to assume that if your transom is wood it will eventually rot. Sure if you had a motor mounted to it with silicone sealant back in 1988 and you've never maintained that aspect of your boat, well, the transom will definitely be rotten.

Like Mike said, tilt that motor up for leverage and pick up on the cavitation plate. Push down as well. It should NOT move. If it's solid, take a weekend off from fishing and re seal everything properly with good sealant and you can stop worrying.

[98rangerdvs]

So you are saying even though on my ranger that is the extruded fiberglass transom it would be a good idea to reseal everything? Just want to make sure I am understanding correctly...probably something I will have the marina do when I winterize it this year...thanx for the info

[SwatDawg]

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by 98rangerdvs &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">So you are saying even though on my ranger that is the extruded fiberglass transom it would be a good idea to reseal everything? Just want to make sure I am understanding correctly...probably something I will have the marina do when I winterize it this year...thanx for the info</TD></TR></TABLE>

YES Reseal everything. Use 3M 5200. When i get a boat I do this before it hits the water. PERIOD. It takes a little time, but it will be worth it.

[jigmister]

what exacly is EVERYTHING?
I sealed all the motor bolts on my 87 ranger.
all through holes. and around the top of the transom.
what I am I missing?
Jim

[perfect-storm]

I don't think it would be necessary with a solid fiberglass transom. I don't think anything short of extreme accident could harm that transom.
I was referring to transoms with any type of core, primarily wood. Foam cores have not been time tested and I would seal those as well.

When I said reseal everything, I was referring to anything that penetrates a cored panel and was installed with low quality sealant. Bolts, screws, etc.
As far as pumps, which usually have plastic through hull fittings, you should probably wait until the pump needs replacement as I would not re use a plastic through hull.

[SwatDawg]

Good point, but the bolts are the same, ect.. you still dont want water in, no matter if you have a solid fiberglass transom or wood.

When i say everything, i mean tie down hooks, motor bolts, all plumbing ect... If it comes though the boat, reseal it.

Now this is just my suggestion, others may disagree.. do as you may...

We have all seen that very few boats are completly wood free...

[98rangerdvs]

Good point...I recently resealed around my rub rail with silicone on the underside per some suggestions..


Modified by 98rangerdvs at 7:37 PM 4/20/2008

[Skeet'r89]

One of the best ways to tell if the transom is getting rotten is to try to tighten the motor mount bolts(or jack plate)which ever go through the hull. If the washers compress into the fiberglass either in the splash well or inside of the hull, your transom has issues.