Metal Transom bracket corroding what to do????

[330expressOC]

Hello everyone,
I have a 2005 Grady White 330 Express- I just noticed the metal transom bracket is starting to corrode. I fish offshore and was wondering if this will be ok for the rest of this year or if I should pull the boat and get it taken care of immediately. Also, when the boat is pulled how do you fix this? thanks so much,

 

[seasick]

If you just checked it recently and it wasn't corroded but is now, you have a problem that needs to be looked at.
If you haven't been checking each year until now, it may not be as critical (assuming the corrosion has been a slow process
You probably can wait till end of season since one of two conditions is present: The transom coring is wet or rotten. That can be a big deal and an expensive one too. Possibility 2 is that the cap just corroded over time but the transom is not damaged. In that case you would need to replace and seal the cap and corner trim. That is still a bit job for a DIYer without the knowledge or equipment to derig, unbolt, lift and store your motors while the work on the cap is done.

 

[DennisG01]

330... first, welcome aboard

2nd... that's actually not "starting" to corrode - that has been corroding for some time. It's actually quite extensive as there is are lots of gaps that expose the core.

Hopefully, though, at this point the core is not compromised - but it will need to be checked.

The replacement (with a new style vinyl bang cap) is a relatively easy process (if no core issues, anyways)... remove (just suspend - don't need to disconnect any wires/cables) engines, remove Al bang cap, seal up the core really well, put new bang cap on, reattach engines.

For now, run some sealant over the gaps and then tape over everything with something like shrink wrap tape.

 

[glacierbaze]

It might also be an indication that your sacrificial zincs in and around the engine have worn down to where they are no longer doing their job, accelerating corrosion on other aluminum parts.

 

[Doc Stressor]

They all do that even if kept in a high and dry. I replaced mine with the vinyl cap 5 years ago when I re-powered. It was not too hard a job except for cleaning out what looked like 5200 used to seal the aluminum cap.

My corrosion problem was related to the fact that the engine mount is in contact with the cap causing it to flex upon acceleration. The mount also seems to be an alloy different from the cap resulting in galvanic corrosion. The more flexible vinyl cap gets around these issues.

If my transom turned out to be wet (which it did not), I would have replaced it and had the top glassed over as it should have been in the first place.

 

[49pan]

I was thinking about making a “C” channel out of stainless replacing the original I think it would look mich nicer a function better

 

[Fishtales]

Get that puppy glasses over.

 

[loubeer]

Replace with a well-sealed vinyl cap - it's due. Also, suggest taking a look at the 4 brass transom well tubes. If never addressed, they probably also need replacing. I used fiberglass tubing instead of the brass - I will never have to worry about brass corrosion.

 

[seasick]

I was thinking about making a “C” channel out of stainless replacing the original I think it would look much nicer a function better

Stainless may look good but it can suffer galvanic corrosion where it contacts the motor mounting bracket.

 

[49pan]

Hmmm. Never thought of that .thanks

 

[trapper]

I used a stainless steel transom bracket and used a piece of starboard to separate the motor mount from the bracket. Appears to be working well. Could not find polished stainless so settled for a fairly heavy duty ss angle. Like to believe it helps supports any transom flex.

 

[Greg B]

Glass it over, best thing I did on my Islander.

 

[seasick]

Glass it over, best thing I did on my Islander.

How long ago was it glassed? Do you see any stress or spider cracks?

 

[Andrew93]

I used a stainless steel transom bracket and used a piece of starboard to separate the motor mount from the bracket. Appears to be working well. Could not find polished stainless so settled for a fairly heavy duty ss angle. Like to believe it helps supports any transom flex.

We did the same to our old Islander, we were happy with the results. We bed the new angle iron in a lot of seacalk and it should be good for another 20 years.