Transom question

[BassChump]

2 years ago I bought an old Bayliner bass boat. Model 1710. It's a 16 footer with an 85 horse Force engine. Both the engine and hull are a 1984 model year.

I've noticed that when I apply power, the transom flexes just a little bit. Not very much, maybe 1/16 inch give or take. Just enough to notice if you're looking for it.

I asked the tech that I have dealt with before at a very respectable boat shop in the valley and he said that was normal for a Bayliner and not to worry about it and go fishing. I do trust this guy, he has treated me like gold in the past but it still bothers me. The transom seem to be fine, no cracks or anything.

Should I worry about it and if so, how hard is it to rebuild the transom on an old Bayliner?????

I don't have the money to have someone do it and I doubt the boat is even close to worth it but it's my only ride.

 

       Thanks for your opinions.

[GLADES]

A 1/16" would be awful hard to notice. If there are no cracks in the splash basin area, or flaking or delamination down in the bilge, you probably dont have any reason to worry.

Being a old boat, it is probably to worth it to rebuild the transom unless you really love this boat.

You can have an 3/16"  aluminum plate custom made to you transom for a couple of hundred if you want some piece of mind. It distibutes the load and stiffens the top of the transom (wraps around over the top of the transom into the splash basin)

I have a 1984 procraft with a good transom, but I added it because I upgraded to a motor that was the max HP for my boat.

[cart7t]

I love the techs answer. "That's normal for a bayliner" ;D

You've got a rotten transom and that is pretty normal for a bayliner. That's a entry level boat builder that used shortcuts in the building process and didn't do a lot to treat the wood used in construction. Add to that poor fitting joints and seams at the back that if they aren't regularly sealed and you've got rotted wood.

I'd follow Glades advice. A decent thickness aluminum plate will probably suffice as I don't really think that boat is worth the effort nor cash to rebuild a transom. Just know that if the motor falls off as you're going down the highway that I told you so.  

[fishfordollars]

You really don't want to know what all is involved in the transom rebuilt. I thought I knew when we started mine. You try everything you can to save it. It's not worth the time, money, and effort to repair that boat.

If you just have to know , I will PM you the details.

[cart7t]

Here's a couple sites that offer alternatives to a complete wood rebuild of a transom.

http://www.rotdoctor.com/glass/GLmain.html

http://transomrepair.com/zk/transom.shtml

You're going to spend around $400 minimum on either of these methods.

[bilgerat]

Just as a side note - The wood rotted out of the transom on my '84 Alumacraft. I replaced it with sections of synthetic decking material (ala "Tech Deck") that I had left over from building my porch. It aint going anywhere now