Trans Cracks

[Mklebart]

I have some cracks on the transom of my GW Overnighter 20 predominantly where the engine bolts are located. The metal stripping is pulling away. I spoke to the previous owner who stated that transom was like that when he owned the boat as well. He repowered in 2020 and added a metal plate for reinforcement.

My question: how does one know if the transom can be repaired vs replaced?

Thank you.

 

[seasick]

Whether you call it replacement or a repair, it will be a fairly big job $$$$.
When did you buy the boat and when did you see the damage? .
If the cracking is new, the problem is much more serious. What motor is on the boat now?

 

[Mklebart]

Whether you call it replacement or a repair, it will be a fairly big job $$$$.
When did you buy the boat and when did you see the damage? .
If the cracking is new, the problem is much more serious. What motor is on the boat now?

I saw the damage when I put the boat in the water this spring. I talked to the previous owner and he said that the cracks have been there since he owned the boat and since the motor was replaced. It now has a 135 hp Merc.

Curious if it can be reinforced vs replaced.

 

[DennisG01]

Can it be simply reinforced? Sure. But the only way to know whether it's worthwhile to do that is to inspect it fully. There's no way that we can tell that from where we are. Based solely on what you've written I'll make a casual assumption that this is not something you're familiar with or comfortable doing yourself. The best advice is to have it checked by a professional.

For now, though... with the engine tilted up, bounce your weight on the area above the prop/anti-vent plate. DO NOT be gentle - do it hard! Watch (or have someone watch) the transom for any flexing.

 

[Mklebart]

Thank you and I will test it out tomorrow. I have been trying to reach out to someone locally to have it evaluated, waiting for call backs.

 

[Hookup1]

My fiberglass guy told me not to do a transom repair prematurely. Look for evidence of movement and more importantly cracks in the well and transom. Unfortunately it looks like you have movement. As others have said shake it up and get a experienced shop that can do transom work to look at it.

Where are you? Update profile.

 

[Mklebart]

Thank you for the information. I have someone inspecting the transom on Monday.

 

[Muffinman]

Hello guys, can someone help me about this situation on 2005 Grady 222, please? Thank you!

IMG_20231019_161350.jpeg hosted at Tinypic

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[seasick]

Some new photos with more resolution, not so close up and using the flask might help. It's hard to tell what we are looking at without some farther out pictures.
The pictures are not very clear but based on what I can make out, your transom looks like it has serious issues. The seriousness of the condition depends a lot on exactly where the cracking is. The transom cap and metal trim show extensive swelling and probably rot Have you tried raising the motor and putting weight on the lower unit to see if the transom flexes? If it does, the problem is serious.

 

[Hookup1]

Photo's are not great but I can't believe that with all that bent up metal and gaps that the transom isn't moving around.

 

[DennisG01]

I was actually able to zoom in on the photos and it helped a bit. But I agree with the above that you're most likely do for a transom rebuild. The extent to what that entails will be figured out by whomever you have do this and some exploratory surgery. There's not much else we can help with from where we are - deeper investigation is needed... exploratory holes... skinning some/all of the transom, etc.

 

[Fishtales]

Repair or replace, the process is basically the same except for the extent of the repair. Could have a local glass guy look at it and tell you what needs to be done. Could be minor could be major. I'd recommend having a plan for both extremes going into it.