Transom hammer test help 1981 246 XF

[leamichael57]

Am i wrong about the construction of my 1981 AS 246 XF Transom being all fiberglass and no wood. I don't currently have an O/B mounted on the transom so i cant do that test. However the hammer test is giving a varying results.

Across the entire bottom, the side and across the top---- is bounces back as expected
Most all the middle area where the motor would mount it "thuds" without the nice bounce back.
please advise about the construction and an additional test or check.

It seems as if all the areas with good bounce back have adjoining parts of construction that are providing the desirable bounce back.
and where there is nothing- like in the center- it sound different.

[RickK]

You have wood in the transom.  The thickness of the glass could vary but the core is wood.

[wingtime]

If there is no motor mounted clean up the mounting holes with sandpaper taped and wrapped around a dowel in a drill.  Then get a bright light and have a look in the holes.  You should see a layer of fiberglass over a 1.5" core of wood.  The wood should be nice and dry.  Not black or wet... or any voids.  You can try opening up the holes a small amount by drilling them with a sharp drill bit a 32" or so larger (motor bolts are usually 1/2").  Be sure to chamfer the edges of the hole with a countersink bit to prevent the gelcoat from spider cracking. 

How long has the motor been off the boat?  Is there anything in the mounting holes?  Has it been stored outside in the rain with nothing in the mounting holes? (water intrusion in holes)  Best case is nothing in the holes with the boat indoors or covered up so the transom can dry out a bit.  Worse case outside in the rain with nothing in the holes and rain water getting into the holes.

If you get a look in the holes and the wood core looks good and solid and is dry.... I'd coat the inside of the holes with epoxy.  This will seal the core since epoxy is impervious to water.

[captaincahill8]

I am about to post about my transom replacement on my 81 246 XF. There is wood in the transom but the amount of glass they used / poured resin to fill voids was all over the place.