Thread subject: Whaler Central - Boston Whaler Boat Information and Photos :: Making me ultimately nervous..!!!!

Posted by JamieK on 03/21/09 - 1:21 PM
#1

Well, as this morning we were finishing up some final touches before it went to the Evinrude dealer, my friend was removing an old speedo in the transom. Basically just because it was no longer needed, and we wanted to put some marine sealant on the screws. However, upon removing the screws a little water dribbled out ..So, naturally I'm like Uh, Ohhhh!!!!!!! Heres the thing though, I removed an old kicker motor holder, wich was much higher naturally, and in those holes which were much larger, there was a tiny bit of moist wood, in case where we used a dremel, removed it till we had dry wood, filled with fiberglass then sealed them. Also, this transom is rock solid, minor, minor, hairline cracks here and there, nothing on the bottom on the inside, just super small hairline on the top of the transom, it's rock solid, we gave the motor a little shake, bla, bla, bla, ROCK SOLID. So my question is, that little dribble, from what the E-TEC guy said, "A little moisture is normal & nothing to worry about...)...???,and while explaining to my other freind who looked @ me with the that's not to good face, DO I HAVE TO BE THIS WORRIED....!!!!

Posted by Joe Kriz on 03/21/09 - 1:35 PM
#2

What model Whaler?

Where was the speedo wheel mounted besides just on the transom?
Some models do not have wood on the outer most part of the transom. That is why we need to know the model.

Posted by JamieK on 03/21/09 - 1:56 PM
#3

1987 Outrage 18 - The speedo, was on the bottom left of the transom say a foot over from the prop about one inch up from the absolute bottom.

Posted by Joe Kriz on 03/21/09 - 2:56 PM
#4

Jamie,

There is wood in that area.
I would just let it dry out as long as you can and then seal it up.
The water most likely came from the speedo screws not be sealed properly.

Posted by JamieK on 03/21/09 - 3:04 PM
#5

I'm thinking how are those two tiny little holes gonna dry out that wood, I don't know, like I said, the other holes from the kicker support were only a little wet, which we removed with that dremel, but again, that's above the water line. I literally just dropped it off an hour ago @ the dealer for the re-power, so all I can do is ask him to remove those screws and I guess leave them out for the month before I go in the water. I'm, just thinking, great, alot of $ to re-power, and now maybe my transom is rotted with no visisble signs on the exterior ????

Posted by ioptfm on 03/21/09 - 5:25 PM
#6

If you aren't keeping the boat in the water for any long periods of time at a dock or marina then put it in the water and enjoy it your new motor. :)

Posted by balene on 03/21/09 - 8:45 PM
#7

Jamiek-

There is probably not much to worry about. Get a mallet with a brass or plastic head and gently rap the cored transom areas. In wet areas you will be able to hear a dull thud instead of a sharp rap. The difference is quite distinct in areas that have a problem. I'm willing to bet hat the transom will sound solid unless the boat has been kept in the water.

Letting it dry out on a trailer is the best fix but you can speed up the process by pointing a hair dryer at the area. After the area is as dry as you can get it (no more moisture weeps; area is not mushy when penetrated), inject the area with an epoxy resin to fill any voids that have developed. Cover the area with fairing compound, sand until smooth and apply a bit of gel coat to finish the job. You will need to buff that out and wax the area.

Don Casey's "This Old Boat" is a good reference, but there ae lots of resources out there. I have owned large sailboats for a number years and long ago became unphased by weepy screwholes. They rarely amount to anything if you get on them right away. For racing sailors who constantly move around deck hardware they are virtually a way of life. Good luck.

Posted by MW on 03/22/09 - 1:16 AM
#8

I saw that on my boat, (1976 Sport 15') in 1990 when I bought it, seal the screw holes up. You have a "Whaler", they cut them in half, they shoot 2000 rounds of automatic fire through them, they drive tractors over them and park on them on top of the hull, they still won't "sink" or break, that screw hole won't mean much. Enjoy the new motor, and enjoy your boat, she won't let you down.

Edited by MW on 03/22/09 - 1:17 AM

Posted by JamieK on 03/22/09 - 6:56 AM
#9

Thank you all very much, I think this year I'm just gonna seal them up with some 5200, then when I take it out @ the end of season I'll remove all the screws in the transom and let it dry out until next year but address the problem before I put her back in.

Posted by JamieK on 03/22/09 - 6:57 AM
#10

On the way to the re-power....!!!!!!!!!!!!

Posted by Dogface on 03/22/09 - 10:11 AM
#11

Just a thought here, on the wet wood in this area. Before you seal it up with epoxy, you might consider soaking the damaged wood with a Borate solution. That will kill dry rot micro organisms...

Posted by Barryg on 03/22/09 - 11:10 AM
#12

Jamie , I may have missed it but what size motor are you going with? Thanks BG

Edited by Barryg on 03/22/09 - 11:11 AM

Posted by JamieK on 03/22/09 - 12:19 PM
#13

If I could soak it I would, only thing is, they are super tiny screw holes, so for the moment it's @ the dealer, I think when I get it back, I'll remove the screws again, put a shop vac up to it to try and suck out what water I can and heat gun it, then seal it up. For all I know it may just be a small amount of water near the screw holes, I hope anyway. I went with the E-TEC 130.

Posted by Joe Kriz on 03/22/09 - 12:21 PM
#14

Jamie,

Start a personal page and show us the photos of the repower when you get the boat back.

Posted by JamieK on 03/22/09 - 12:32 PM
#15

I definatley will Joe..!!!! For an 87' it's in realy good shape too. The guy that's doing the re-power was pretty impressed. I'll set it up soon, thanks again everyone for the advice......!!!!!!!!!!! ALso if you guys know any one in need, That 1986 Evinrude 140, I still have the lower end, re-built starter, carbs, etc..... Thanks........!!!!!!!!!

Edited by JamieK on 03/22/09 - 12:35 PM