Cracked transom cap

[trailoblazin]

I have a 1986 20ft Aquasport with a cracked transom cap.  The transom is not bad "yet".  How difficult is it to re-glass the transom.  Someone please point me in the right direction. The link below has some pictures of the transom.  Thanks

http://www.classicaquasport.com/gallery/showgallery.php/cat/529

[dusky]

My two cents

I bought a 1987 170 with the same problem, I drove by another one yesterday in MA with the same cracks also.  If the wood in the core is dry you are OK but you must fix FB now before wood gets wet.  You could grind down the cracks and fiberglass matt and weave over them.  Or you could cut off the top of the transom to inspect the wood.  If it is OK, you could then tie it all in nice with matt, woven fb, and then fair and sand.  I used West Sytems bc it was readily available and mixing was easy.

I just finished mine last week and should have it painted by next week.

I am a first time FB glass repairer and do not think it was very difficult and am confident the transom is stronger than before.

[DEFIANT]

Upon close inspection of you pictures it looks to me as if you have transom problems up and beyond the cracked cap!

The cracks around the bolt holes could let water get into the plywood.

Was the boat stored on a trailer or did it spend alot of time in the water?

There are some recent posts regarding cracked transom caps on this site. You may find some useful information there!

If you find the transom needs replacement, we will be glad to help!

[jy118lfd]

Classic signs of a weak transom. The cap is all glass and cannot take the flex so it cracks at the origional seam. Very common on all older boats. It is a worthwhile repair as I just finished my 1973 19-6 this year photos in the gallery.  I would not mount a motor on a transom that looks like that. :cry:  Sorry, but if you do undertake the repair you will be very happy when you are done. Not to mention you will not have the transom in the back of your mind  all the time while out on the boat. It definatly makes it more enjoyable

[trailoblazin]

thanks guys. jy118lfd you did a great job on your transom.  I have done some glass work in the past. But nothing like this.  A friend took a look at my transom and said it is still good.  But it needs attention now!!  We will see what happens.   I will keep posting pictures of the progress.

[warthog5]

A friend took a look at my transom and said it is still good.

Yea but did he drill the transom and take core sample's?  I bet Not.

It need's the watermelon test.

The damage has been done for quite sometime and now it even has the band-aid sealer falling out.

I bet you've got a lot of earthworm dirt in that core.