Transom Stress Cracks

T

tcr_pnw

New member
Hi all,

I finally received all the photos and details from the survey. Overall the consensus was good and any of the minor deficiencies can be taken care of with weekend or two of buffing and such.

Below are the stress cracks in question. They are the only things of concern that the surveyor noted. They are located near each motor mount. It is a 6-7 year old vessel, so things will happen over years of use and trailering. The boat is a Cape Cruiser Venture with the foam core transom. The boat I purchase, I plan on having the boat for years to come and I am hoping for some guidance.

How often have any of you experienced this? Any idea how extensive an issue they could become or what level of concern you associate with them? The hull and transom were sounded and tested for flex by the surveyor without anything notable. If they were to grow, or if I chose to repair them now, what kind of cost could be associated with that? DIY or call a pro?

I am trying to factor as many things in as possible in the consideration of the boat. A pair of transom savers will help as well. Any input from you all would be greatly appreciated. Most of my boating/owership has been done with aluminum hulls. This will be our first fiberglass cruiser and are very excited get on the water.

Thanks in advance!

Troy

Same crack with varying levels of detail:
crack1_zpsbd9c27f9.jpg
crack2_zps99b87108.jpg
crack3_zps72be30aa.jpg
 
Hi Troy. Welcome to the world of fiberglass! I don't know if those cracks are any big deal, but if they're moving at all they wouldn't be an easy fix. Problem is they run under the upper part of the motor mount. To grind and re-glass would require engine removal, and the curve is a difficult shape to rebuild for a DIY'er. If they are limited to the gelcoat then not a big deal. You could clean and fill with liquid epoxy (or flush caulk with 5200 for that matter) or do a gelcoat repair if you are particular about cosmetics. The foam core transom is a good thing, since some water is no doubt getting in. Best, Mike.
 
I'm looking at that and thinking, "I wonder how they handled the transom 'cap'." On the C-Dory 22, there is a heat-formed plastic cap that's basically glued on.

Presumably on the Cape Cruiser there is some sort of joining cap (as the two skins of the transom were probably not molded as a "U-shaped" unit, so there has to be a seam(s) somewhere) or method. Maybe that has failed or the gelcoat over it has. Unless there was gross transom damage (like the core was totally mushy or something), I don't really see that as where a "true" stress crack would be. I mean, you'd think true stress cracks would be over on the sides where the transom joins the rest of the boat (I mean, think about attaching a come-along to the engines and tightening it... where would the stress be...)

So in summary, my guess (and it's only a guess since I'm not there) would be that it has something to do with the way the transom was put together, and that either gelcoat was just put over a crack without cloth (it happens), so now it's cracking; or however the "cap joint" was handled has moved. It's possible water could get into the transom from there, but it all depends on what's underneath and how that joint was built.

Gelcoat does sometimes crack for non-sinister reasons. They may still be reasons of slightly less than wonderful building practice, but they don't have to mean a horrible flaw either.

Sorry that seems like a bit of a non-answer. I'd love to get in there with my little screwdriver and really find out what's going on :twisted:

Sunbeam :hot
 
I agree with the above. The hull and deck are joined thru most of the boat in a "shoe box" design, and then riveted and glassed over the rivets and joint on the inside--railing on the outside. On the transom, unfortunately almost all of these boats have the glass layer put on--maybe only one layer of mat--and then gel coat. In some boats--and I cannot address this specific boat--there may not even be any glass (such as in the C Dory 25 I rebuilt--see the "Thataway" Album.

The worst case is that the motor be removed, then transom cap ground down, and a proper layers of glass and epoxy put on top--and then some form of a cap--not expensive, but probably best done by a professional.

It would not stop me from buying the boat. You might ask the seller for an adjustment in the selling price. But it is not a deal killer. There should be no issues with the transom in this boat.

Buy the boat and enjoy it.
 
The transom is a highly stressed area and I share your concern. Journey On has had 2 cracks in the transom, of 2 different types: 1 stress crack and one structural. So diagnosing this problem based on a picture is kind of tough. I can offer an opinion, but that's not the best way.

If you really want to buy this boat, I'd take it to a good repair shop and ask their opinion. If they say it's a stress crack, fill it as you desire. If it's structural, get and estimate and deduct it from your offer. Either way, it can be fixed so it will last.

You're not too far from the present factory, try them. I know all 25's have a foam core, so I assume the factory is familiar with the structure back there.

Boris
 
Is it possible that this crack could have been caused by over tightening the engine mount bolts? Would that compress the foam core enough to distort/crack the fibreglass??

I have seen radial stress cracks around mounting bolts. Because these bolts go through a horizontal bar which is fairly close to the transom cap the stress may have transferred up to the corner.

Just some thoughts, Rob
 
Thanks guys!

I fired off those photos to a few local marine repair shops in the area (Everett, WA) and the consensus is anywhere from $700-$1000 fix (depending on how much glass work) with a chunk of that being in pulling the engines and a gelcoat color match.

Thanks again for all the great feedback and insight as always! I hope to be finalizing everything early this week. There are a few other little things to work on but nothing serious.

Troy
 
Find out exactly what the "repair" is going to be. If it is just gel coat--then this is not equate. You want glass, and re cap of the transom. Make this clear.
 
Get an estimate from Tern Boat Salvage. They built the Cape cruiser so they know what is under the gelcoat. They are located in the original C-Dory factory on Pacific Avenue in Kent. 253-946-9916
 
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