Hull Damage

[Nicholas Del Rio]

Found this thread that explains why the area by the drain plug is only fiberglass. Not my model boat, but hopefully the same design was used.

Been away on travel for work so haven’t been able to put the plug fitting back on and get out in the water. Can’t wait for this weekend, lol. I just wanna be the boat, hehehe.

http://www.clubsearay.com/index.php?threads/transom-rot-or-not.44400/

tldr
“They said the transom is all fibreglass except for the centre portion which is strengthened with marine timber”

“the wood centrepiece does not extend down that far and the area around the drain plug is all fibreglass”

 

[Nicholas Del Rio]

It sounds like the plywood core around the plug has rotted away completely. Or maybe that damage was more severe than it looks and the back end was not properly fixed.

You should really have someone that knows boats take a look at it. Right now there doesn’t appear to be any wood to screw that plug back on. Just the fibreglass outer skin. And that is not good.

so I guess there is no wood core this low in the transom of this 2003 model. The wood core doesn’t appear to start till 1/2 inch or so above the drain plug (see how the wall thickens). I guess that’s a design feature to keep the wood core away from the lowest point where water is likely to accumulate? Attached a pic from the inside perspective.

 

[BillK2632]

So I think that answers your question about the drain plug and potential core rot. I have never torn into the transom of one of these boats, I knew there was plywood core, but did not realize it did not go to the bottom of the transom -- good to know. Like mentioned, I would caulk the hell out of the drain plug and screws, put it all back together and proceed with your original damage repair. And like mentioned, if you want to put off that repair until winter and use the boat I think you are fine.

 

[Nicholas Del Rio]

So I think that answers your question about the drain plug and potential core rot. I have never torn into the transom of one of these boats, I knew there was plywood core, but did not realize it did not go to the bottom of the transom -- good to know. Like mentioned, I would caulk the hell out of the drain plug and screws, put it all back together and proceed with your original damage repair. And like mentioned, if you want to put off that repair until winter and use the boat I think you are fine.

I’ll definitely caulk the hell out of it, and hopefully prevent water from soaking up that topmost screw hole! Thanks!!!