Previously “cracked” fiberglass transom

[Dirtyeggroll]

My search for a bass boat has begun and I have decided that a Ranger R70 meets all of the specs I am desiring out of a boat (glass, fits in my garage, good rep, etc.)

My understanding is that the late 90’s Ranger R70s have all fiberglass transoms.

I have found a 1997 model for a good price and the guy says there was a 2 inch crack in the transom that he had repaired by a body shop. He says that the body shop “only put an 1/8th inch of glass in it” to repair it. He also says that there is no movement in the motor when he applies force to it.

With a wood transom I wouldn’t even think twice and I would run and never look back. However, with a glass transom I am less informed. What things should I be thinking about with a glass transom that was previously patched? Is there still a risk of some sort of rot/deterioration as with wood? 

Of course, I would take a look at the boat and drive it before any money changed hands. Additionally, I would just go assess it myself and have a better report but it’s a few hours drive away. Looking for some advice before I decide to go check it out or move on. The price on it is good (but not too good to be true) or I would have already moved on. I am supposed to be getting pics of the area pre and post repair, so I will update with pics if possible. Thanks for your help and advice.

[TOXIC]

Depends on how it got cracked.  Impact?  Flex?  And where the "crack" is on the transom.  At the mounting bolts?  On the top?  How deep was the crack?  What did the repair involve?  Just glassing over the crack?  While not a deal breaker, I would put some effort into the history and if in doubt take it to a boat repair specialist to be checked out.  Not just a "fiberglass guy".  If it was repaired by a reputable outfit, contact them and let them explain the repair.  

[WRB]

Not enough info however any stress cracks at the transum big enough for the seller to point out indicates something is wrong.

Gel coat cracks or damage that are surface anomollies happen with a 21 year old boat, stress cracks big enough to be repaired are a deal breaker. I would be more concerned with the OB hours and condition.

Tom

[J Francho]

By a "body shop" as in car body shop?  I've had fiberglass repairs done, but only by a boat repair shop that specializes in it.

[JustALineWetter]

7 minutes ago, J Francho said:

By a "body shop" as in car body shop?  I've had fiberglass repairs done, but only by a boat repair shop that specializes in it.

I would not trust repairs to a transom done by a car-shop. The stresses involved in auto bodies is totally different than the stresses involved in a transom. Unless the guy who did the actual work KNOWS and is EXPERIENCED in boat construction/repair and did it properly, I'd trust nothing more than a trolling motor hanging off that transom.

[J Francho]

Agreed! These are the folks I dealt with.  Super work.

http://greatlakesmarineworks.com/

[Dirtyeggroll]

Decided to run. The guy was giving me some other red flags as well.