Transom Failure

[gaf11]

Folks, I bought a 1997 ranger 488vs at a car dealer auction. the problem is the transom is cracked all the way around where the motor is bolted. I got it really cheap with a 200 yamaha . my question....can i redo the transome and possibly pull the top cap and completely redo the transom with additional bracing. the transom has a fiberglass looking plate inside the transom ...no wood at all. i believe they called it a protruded fiberglass transom???? i've done a bunch of glass work...but wasn't really sure where to start on this. any help would be appreciated. txs glynn


Modified by gaf11 at 11:59 PM 9/4/2007

[boostedone]

Got pics?

I guess you will find out the truth to the "no wood" thing when you pull the motor. Also, I imagine that its possible that although the transom board is not wood, that the frames and braces around it are.

Another place that would be really good to ask at is http://forums.bateau2.com/ in the repair section.

If there is no wood in there and it still managed to crack severely, you definately want to talk to shine or jacques on that board.

[luvdmymerc]

It can be done. Just takes lots of work and time!!!

[Ritchie]

Hey Glynn, good to see someone from my area on here. I wish I was more familiar with the construction of those boats so I could offer some advice. Are you talking about an external crack around the motor mounting surface? Have you mentioned this over on the Ranger forum ?

[Rollo331]

never done one of the Ranger composite ones ,lots of people get all jizzed up about the transoms made out of different stuff.....i would rip it out and go back with a wood transom ,wood done correct and sealed will be there a lifetime also.....and just as strong if not stronger.......alot of boat companies sold the public on no wood because they could make or buy other stuff cheaper than buying wood..

[gaf11]

I haven't gotten pics yet as I've got to drive to southern Fla to p/u this week. I'm planning on removing the engine as the transome is 50% broken all the way thru. I was told they hit a stump and sheared the lower unit off completely and also dang near ripping the transome out. I'll get some pics up late this week as I'm headed to Fla today to get the boat. Should be fun. Txs for the replys so far. Hope I didn't bite off more than I can chew on this project!

[perfect-storm]

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Rollo331 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">...wood done correct and sealed will be there a lifetime also.....and just as strong if not stronger.......alot of boat companies sold the public on no wood because they could make or buy other stuff cheaper than buying wood..</TD></TR></TABLE> It's funny how people think wood is a bad thing because of either poor build quality or lack of maintenance over the years. I'm curious how all those composite foams will hold up after no maintenance and water intrusion. Sure they are closed cell but given enough time, they will absorb water and while they don't rot, they can break down and fail.

Hey just curious, I wonder what Ranger would do about that transom. Since they tout their pulltruded transom as indestructible, and obviously, that one wasn't. Maybee as a PR they might work with you. I don't think they would just up and fix it but maybee they would do it for a very reasonable price. Just a thought

[boostedone]

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Rollo331 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">wood done correct and sealed will be there a lifetime also.....and just as strong if not stronger.......alot of boat companies sold the public on no wood because they could make or buy other stuff cheaper than buying wood..</TD></TR></TABLE>

Thats the problem though... They are too lazy to do it correct, therefore the wood rots.. Using alternative materials allows them to atleast theoretically allow their half assed construction practices last a little longer.

But yeah, at this point, its not like a correctly done wood transom would be a bad thing. Wood is just fine done right, just that the boat makers don't take the time to do it right.

[jigjunky]

had mine done recently because of the same issue. got a quote from ranger for 5000.00 for a new transom. had mine fixed by a fellow in corbin ky. for 4000.00. did a excellent job on it, beefed it up and guarenteed it for as long as I liked. No wood in a ranger, most of his rebuild work is from rotted wood in other brands. I totaled my motor and peeled my transom apart on a piece of steel about 2 feet under the water. Dont let anyone half arse it or you'll fix it again. 93 ranger492vs good as new and alot cheaper. GOOD LUCK


also its nice to know when you got a foot of water in your boat it quits filling up and you dont go to the bottom then you can troll back to the ramp. thank you ranger!


Modified by jigjunky at 10:56 PM 9/4/2007

[ZeroHour]

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by perfect-storm &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote"> Hey just curious, I wonder what Ranger would do about that transom. Since they tout their pulltruded transom as indestructible, and obviously, that one wasn't. Maybee as a PR they might work with you. I don't think they would just up and fix it but maybee they would do it for a very reasonable price. Just a thought </TD></TR></TABLE>


Short of it if the waranty wasnt transferred to you absolutely nothing. I found a 519DVX for 4500 with a slaughtered transom the boat also needed some interior work, ranger wouldnt do a thing. I passed on that boat as I couldnt find anyone here in colorado with much experience with that issue.

[AMS BOATS]

I had an opportunity to replace a transom on a ranger with similar problem.It too was impact damage.Not a warranty issue! It didn't break the transom,but it split the back of the boat @ the outside edge of transom where it ties in to rest of hull.We were able to reuse core material and increased amount of glass@ that joint.Good Luck!

[AMS BOATS]

We have replaced several " composite" transoms with wood. We found that the higher density boards are brittle and break like bricks.Get out hammer and chisel(safety glasses) start swinging!