Soft spot found is it a problem?

[84SeaRay225CC]

I found a rotted spot when i was in the engine compartment it isn't very big but i just wondered if it will be a problem? If you are in the boat looking at the engine it is to the left and about 10" above the hole where the outdrive goes through. Other than that everything looks good.

 

[Quint4]

sounds troubling...are you talking about the transom ?(what the outdrive is mounted on)...how about a pic.

 

[tobnpr]

Definitely a problem if it's above the outdrive in the transom. This is structural- not cosmetic.
Since you don't have the experience to diagnose the extent of the rot (much less repair it) you need to get it to a competent fiberglass shop.

 

[wkearney99]

Soft spots are bad. There's not too many places on a boat that aren't going to be negatively affected by it. The transom is definitely a place to worry about. Soft spots are usually due to rot caused by water getting into the wood sandwiched inside the fiberglass. This leads to the question of where did the water come from to get into the wood? Poorly sealed screws and other through-hulls are the likely culprits. Water runs downhill so take a close look at all the areas above that spot.

Rot spreads, deal with it now before things get further out of hand (more when it's warmer though). I'd be worried about freezing. Water expands when frozen. Expanding wet/frozen wood inside fiberglass will lead to cracking.

A surveyor can use an infrared video gizmo (can't recall it's name) to look at the hull to find just how far the problem has spread. I've never seen one in use (thankfully), but it's apparently not an easy (nor cheap) device to use properly. If you have one examine it make sure they know what they're doing. Same thing applies to the eventual fiberglass shop that'll have to fix it.

 

[84SeaRay225CC]

Thanks for all the help, it dosent sound good. I am going to take it to a shop around here to have it checked out.