dripping transom!

[adaptolife]

I am installing a fishfinder transducer, and got a surprise when some drips of brown water exited the nice holes I just drilled! Maybe a teaspoon or two. Removed the old transducer, and a little came out of there also.

[adaptolife]

The old transducer was sealed with silicone, and not much, so it may be the source of leaking. Am using 5200. Should I let the transom dry before installing viewfinder? All looks ok otherwise. Transom seems solid.

[wingtime]

Been there done that!  Let it dry for a bit if you like.  Use 5200 to seal up the new screws.

[RickK]

Unfortunately it's just a matter of time now before you'll need to redo the transom.  Enjoy it for now and make a plan.

[CTsalt12]

I think epoxy is an even better solution than 5200.   Also, just because it's wet, you may still have a lot of time leftbefore the transom is really flexing and needs to be replaced.  So don't worry too much.

[Georgie]

A couple teaspoons is a lot of water to have come out of a few small holes.  Take a sharp probe or pick and see if the wood behind the fiberglass is completely rotten, or if it's just wet.  You won't be able to dry it out just through the holes, but you can wait until the holes themselves finish draining and dry a bit before mounting the 'ducer so you get a much better seal w/the 5200.  If you use epoxy instead, you should use a moisture resistant epoxy.  Rick is likely right, the transom is probably toast and you should start developing a contingency plan for the future.  Is your cap to hull seam cracked, or is your drain plug properly sealed?  those are the top two sources for moisture in a transom.  If the moisture has only entered the transom via the poorly mounted older 'ducer, then you may be able to inject a bit of rot-stop epoxy and prevent the moisture from working its way into the rest of the transom core for a while.  Post a couple photos of your transom/findings.

[adaptolife]

The transom is straight, flat, stiff, no cracks, spider-webbing. Nothing that would indicate a weak transon

[gran398]

The transom is straight, flat, stiff, no cracks, spider-webbing. Nothing that would indicate a weak transon

The good news is she's a '93, wouldn't think its rotted out yet.

Two cents says she's leaking through the garboard drain tube....where the tube beds to the hole at the base of the transom.

Since its pretty much the offseason everywhere...now would be a good time to consider checking it out if you want to.

[slvrlng]

The transom is straight, flat, stiff, no cracks, spider-webbing. Nothing that would indicate a weak transon

The good news is she's a '93, wouldn't think its rotted out yet.

Two cents says she's leaking through the transom drain tube....where the tube beds to the hole through the hull.

Since its pretty much the offseason everywhere...now would be a good time to consider checking it out if you want to.

Don't forget he lives in Florida! They can fish pretty much all year.

If the transom is "stiff", try literally standing on the ventilation plate and bouncing. If it does not flex you should be okay for quite a while. The water that is in the wood will not go away as it has no way to evaporate. If you haven't installed the transducer yet take an awl and try gouging into the old holes and see if you have wet but hard wood around each hole. If you get soft wood out your time is coming but the only way to find out is drill a series of holes around each spot to see how far the water has reached. On my 83 hull I have found this saturated area only extends about 2 inches out.