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I have made an offer on a 1987 Montauk that is in relatively good condition overall. Except for the last two years the boat was used in fresh water and the 1987 90hp Merc looks very good.

There is some gelcoat crazing on the interior but not too bad and the console and seats are in good shape. However, there are some substantial cracks on the stern that concern me and I wonder if they could indicate a structural problem. I am going to have a surveyor look at the boat if the offer is accepted but I thought that I'd ask here first. I'm going to try to attach a photo of the cracks that are on both sides of the transom.

Capn Js

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Ok, I didn't read the instructions on posting a photo so I'll try again.

Capn Js

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Yikes,

It looks like the boat hit something or hit bottom while underway thus stressing the motor mount then flexing and cracking the transom. Since I see blisters forming on the right and the cracks are seeping water from them I am going to bet the entire transom is waterlogged and shot thus needing to be replaced. I hope you either low balled the offer or can retract the offer. If it were me buying this boat I would go into it assuming the entire transom will need to be replaced. Have a good fiberglass shop give you a quote to replace the transom then deduct that from your offer. If the buyer will not budge walk away there are a lot of other boats out there...

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Plus, it looks like that is an old repair (and not a good one at that). The drain tube is certainly not original, so one has to wonder exactly what else was (or was not) done to that transom.

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I am in the process of fixing many hairline cracks in my hull. They are nowhere near the size of the cracks in the picture. Most are very hard to see without a close inspection.

In the course of researching how to go about the repair I found that the rule of thumb for visual inspection of these types of cracks is; If the crack is wide enough to fit a fingernail in then the problem is likely structural in nature.

I agree with rumrunner that there is obvious evidence of a sub-standard previous repair. Jeff pointed out the blistering of the transom and the evidence of weeping - it sure appears the transom has suffered water infiltration

If the cracks fit the above description, regardless of the cause of the damage, the fiberglass is most likely cracked or de-laminated.

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Thanks everyone for the responses. I didn't make a real low offer yet because I wanted to see what the problem (and cost to fix it) was. However, the offer is subject to my satisfactory review of the problem(and an engine test).

The boat had just been washed and I think that the water that seems to be leaking out of the crack comes from the washing. When I looked at the boat the day before there was no water. The salesman also said that the problem could have been caused by the boat bottoming out on something or by constantly flying over larger waves at higher speed. The damage to the transom makes me wonder what might have happened to the 90 hp Merc that is original. Well, I'll take it one step at a time and have the cracks looked at. Thanks for the tip about the old repair as I wouldn't have known that the drains weren't original. I'll let you know.

Capn Js

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I would bet that the plywood transom core is rotted due to water intrusion probably at the drain tube. The plywood has swelled and cracked the outer layer of glass. I would run not walk away from that boat, especially after the salesman told you the water was seeping out of the cracks cause it was just washed. A new transom will cost in excess of 2k, I believe. I think you really want that boat, and you are trying to talk yourself into it. Be very careful.


Rich:|

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Actually I only want the boat if it's not going to cost me a lot of money and is going to be safe. I have too much respect for the waters on which we will use a boat to take a chance on a boat with a motor that might drop off along with the transom.

I appreciate the input from everyone, that's why I asked. There are other options sometimes besides walking away. If the seller will fix the problems using a reputable repair shop for example.

However, given the age and condition of the boat and motor I will probably walk away. Especially given that if the boat has taken that kind of abuse the motor probably has as well. Thanks for all of the input.

By the way, the salesman didn't tell me the leak came from a washing, I watched the boat being washed; I did see it the day before just after the winter cover came off and there was no water leaking out of the cracks. I don't disagree that the core may be soaked but the salesman is not trying to push the boat on me.

Capn Js

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Thanks to all for the input on the Montauk with the cracks on the transom.

As I indicated, the offer was subject to my satisfactory determination of the problem. I backed out of the deal based on the unsatisfactory input that I received. Whaler service also weighed in and thought that the issue might be water that had leaked in and frozen thus creating the cracks. Their suggestion was to grind down the gel coat to determine any hidden damage. In any event, that amount of hidden damage is more than I want to deal with.

Consequently, I am now looking for another used 17' Montauk in the seacoast area of NH and ME.

Capn Js