I need some reassurance

[lumberdude]

I've used my little fishing boat on 3 or 4 outings. I just got finished with a thorough inspection and have noticed several cracks appearing along the keel. Some of you may remember the crack I had show itself in the transom during the refinish. Well it's back and it's a bit bigger. I don't think it's panic big, but it does make me wonder if my choice of motor size is putting too much tork on the transom.

The cracks that are appearing along the keel, I believe is due to the fact that I didn't exactly dig out and replace 100% of the old caulking.

How much flexing is normal here and does this sound like anything I should be concerned about?

lumber

[capt jake]

Lumber, I don't know but could it have ben caused enroute to the boat lauch? Are you offering support to the outboard in transit?
Just a thought. smile.gif

[Pelican]

Reassurance? "AFLAC" :D :D

[Pelican]

Seriouly, Capt Jake has a good point. Heard of a guy once that got to the boat ramp at the end of a long dirt road and when he got out to get ready to launch he happened to notice his motor was gone - along with a big chunk of transom. :eek:

[Roger Stouff]

Lumber, are you using a transom saver?

[lumberdude]

http://media5.hypernet.com/cgi-bin/UBB/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic&f=1&t=004739&p=

Yes, I purchased one shortly after that thread. The cracks I'm seeing, especially up front along the keel, seems to be a drying out and flexing sort of thing. I'm just wondering how much flexing is normal.

Man, that would suck to lose your motor en-route! I keep a close eye on mine as I'm traveling. Not that it would do much good at that point.

lumber

[Roger Stouff]

I think a pic would help us visualize it better, if you could, on the transom. I think you're right about the keel, but the transom is another matter.

[lumberdude]

I'll try to snag a digital and get some pics posted....

lumber

[Memphis Mike]

What did you chalk the cracks with lumber?

[lumberdude]

Got the camera, so here is the pics I said would be coming...

http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid22/peea0b74b99e346fd70bb66b84183f9e2/fdaa869b.jpg

and the cracks on the front of the keel...

http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid22/pd812c146f60432c9ff15176236fcec24/fdaa8697.jpg

So does this look acceptable or not?

Oh, here is a shot of the boat with the new registration numbers applied...

http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid22/p3c29d90ebd7a0566441865e71f3a7b65/fdaa869e.jpg

lumber

[Memphis Mike]

Shoot, nothing to worry about lumber.
Fill the suckers with a flexible material
and touch it up with paint or varnish and
have fun. Does the boat have a stern knee?
If not, you can add one and beef up the quarter
knees.

[ 06-08-2002, 02:27 PM: Message edited by: Memphis Mike ]

[Tim B]

Looks like shrinkage due to normal dry out to me also. Flexible caulk is my $0.02 also. 5200 comes in a brown color now. Your boat looks great! I always open your posts looking for pictures.

tim