How to check a transom

[BoniB]

I'm looking at at 20SF, if when I try to rock the engine and there is no play in the transom and no cracks in the glass how would you check it without a moisture meter? If there is no flex would it be considered ok?

tx
Boni-B

[oldfielder]

You can also remove screws and see what comes out, but that's usually with your own boat!
Tapping on the transom with a screwdriver handle or rubber mallet will also yield difft. sounds depending on its integrity. The hollower it sounds usually indicates a lack of integrity and a solid transom will yield little or no reverb.

[Bigshrimpin]

Drill

[Mark]

Drill

Ah, the simple concise answer [img]/forum/images/graemlins/tongue.gif[/img]

(but taking out a transducer screw usually yields a wealth of info from my experience)

[BoniB]

True, but the seller might not be too happy with that.

taking out a transducer screw usually yields a wealth of info from my experience

Very true!!

[Fr. Frank]

I'm with Tim. Drill. Do it in 4 places, 1/8" holes x 1" deep.

[FELLOW-SHIP]

My un scientific approach always has worked for me. “AGE” how old is it?? If the transom is 20-25 years old and it is made of wood chances are very good it needs to be redone. My outboard saltwater motor approach is, if the motor is 10 years old or more it’s about time to replace. Yes there are always exceptions to this general rule but wood transoms rot and outboards is saltwater just crap out for one reason or another. After 45 years of saltwater fishing I have never sunk or needed to be towed in. Boats are like Airplanes you don’t want them to break First before you fix or replace parts.

FellowShip

………………………….

Just for the Grins

Official Antique Classic SeaCraft Owner

[wtenglish]

Fellow-Ship,

that's a great rule to live by. "Boats are like Airplanes you don’t want them to break First before you fix or replace parts."

I on the other hand have been towed in at least a half dozen times while fishing with other people. My current restoration is my first salt water vessel so I am going to try and live by that rule!!

[JohnB]

Moisture meter to check for water. The only limitation is it doesn't work well through metal/abative bottom paint. Also, the rubber malet for delamination/etc. The screw method works because most of the time, water come in through improperly sealed screw holes.