hello members, just upgraded from a 1979 204c to 1987 204c with honda 150 4 stroke, i may not of did my homework but i fell in love with it, because closer inspection, after purchase ,revealed to 2 slight cracks at the top of the transom above the mounting bolts very small but cracks none the less. do you think this is something that should be addressed right away possibly with a piece of metel to reinforce the transome if so what kind, how thick how and much area should it cover? or should i keep them sealed and monitor? is there anybody out there that has done this in the past, i hope i'm not the only one running around with a 4 stroke on the back. thanks for all your positive replies. also other than that the transome is completey solid no spider webbing or things like that.
help with my new 1987 204c with honda 4 stroke
- Thread starter 1979204
- Start date
If your seeing anything like this
Then you are starting to shows signs of a problem. The bandaids that you mentioned might buy you some time but most Grady's of that model and age need the same thing......... a new transom
Then you are starting to shows signs of a problem. The bandaids that you mentioned might buy you some time but most Grady's of that model and age need the same thing......... a new transom
I am learning that lesson about grady transoms now and dont want to sound negative if you plan on keeping her for many years read on: 4 stroke is a heavy engine, 150hp honda probably about 490 lbs . Last thing you want to be doing is adding more weight for support SS steel or Alum plates. If you have cracks in there, its wet or rotting and stressing from the weight. You will probably not find many owners of pre 90's 204 that do not have this problem. Do yourself a favor, drill a few small holes in the transom (bottom about 1 1/2 in up and the inside center where the motor mounts), or remove a few screws from trim tabs plates or sounder mount if you have em. Check the drilled out wood if wet or mush also see if water runs out of the lower holes u drill or open. You can fill em back in with epoxy or putty. If it is wet or complete mush like mine, Well its your choice what to do. I would replace it. Especially if your runing a heavy engine like a honda 4s. I ran 2 seasons with a soft transom, very stupid and now wished I had taken care of this when I got it. I got caught in some nasty seas and nothing is worse than seeing your transom flexing under the load. Could almost see my life pass before me. Now some will tell you to jump up and down on cavitation plate, bang with hammer ect to test transom strenth. If the boat is on a trailer you will not see any flex standing on the cavitition plate jumping. Best to block it if your gonna apply weight to the cavation plate or put in the water, if the transom is really soft like mine just tilt the engine up a few inches grab it from the top of the cover and pull up and push down with your body weight , u will see and feel that transom move and engine move if it is soft. But post some pics of the cracks if you can. Good luck with her , and welcome to the site.
What Paul and I are trying to say is, you "may" have a transom issue, but it's not the end of the world.
I did mine myself and he's in the process of doing his. Neither of us are in the business but with a little ability, patience and the right support, it can be done.
I have never heard of a motor falling off a boat but I guess it could happen.
I did mine myself and he's in the process of doing his. Neither of us are in the business but with a little ability, patience and the right support, it can be done.
I have never heard of a motor falling off a boat but I guess it could happen.
Thanks guys, i will post some pictures and do the drill bit test this weekend, hopefully with any luck it will be no big deal, just over torque on the top mounting bolts, hope to see you on the water. Chris "EMPTY POCKETS". brigantine.
Yes, thats me and the way that old hull treated me for all those years, i went out and bought this one hope i didn't get a lemon, again its only money and the name of the boat is "Empty Pockets"
I purchased my 204c from a place called Bobbys outboards in Brigintine, he was straight up with me on the problems so I knew what I was getting into. Like Chris (cdwood) said never heard of an outboard falling off, but would do some exploritory drilling just to make sure. Thats a nice engine you got there to. Am saving up for a new 4s not sure if its gonne be a merc or honda, more likly an an e-tec. Doing the transom myself is helping the level on the saving account for the new motor. So for now I have to put the engine upgrade back 1 season, But I know the new transom will be able to handle the heavier 4s if I decide to get one.