Repair and beefing up transom

[Heathen]

While going through my new-to-me Explorer 246g, I noticed two of the “support braces” (not sure what they’re called) connecting the transom to the stringers had some damage. It looks like the damage stemmed from some screws and wire/cable holders being drilled into the supports without sealing them properly. The stringers and transom are solid. I have two trains of thought, the first being the quickest route possible to have it in the water for this season would be ideal, a bandaid or a “Good enough” until we haul it out next season for the winter. The second option is; doing what needs to be done now and beefing up the supports looking forward to a repower in the near future. Any advice/suggestions on either method would be greatly appreciated.

 

[DennisG01]

Are you 100% positive that no other area is affected?

Post a few pics - it will be easier to help advise.

 

[blindmullet]

These boats as most production boats didn't get the best glass work. Usually there are voids or the roving material had to go around a tight radius. Looks like that is a stringer knee and could really be cosmetic. It's hard to tell from the pic.

 

[Heathen]

Are you 100% positive that no other area is affected?

Post a few pics - it will be easier to help advise.

I’ll be cleaning out the bilge area to better assess and will snap some more pictures. At this point I’m 99% sure the stringers and transom are solid and dry, Ill be doing some more digging to make sure onceI clear some of the mess out of the way.

These boats as most production boats didn't get the best glass work. Usually there are voids or the roving material had to go around a tight radius. Looks like that is a stringer knee and could really be cosmetic. It's hard to tell from the pic.

“Stringer knee” thanks for that! Wasn’t sure what they were called. The port side knee is definitely shot, the starboard is still solid but has separated at the top and there are some cracks forming in the glasswork. Ill post up some more pictures once I get it cleaned out better.

—

Thanks for the quick responses guys!

 

[DennisG01]

Is there already a picture? Maybe it's my computer - as to why I can't see it. I'll check when I get home.

 

[Fishtales]

Doesn't look all that bad from here. Pics are tough to assess though.

 

[DennisG01]

From what I'm seeing in those pictures, nothing shouts a problem. There's no way to tell for sure from those pics - you'll just need to do some exploratory surgery and knocking to figure it out.

 

[SkunkBoat]

I'm guessing from the pix you have a closed transom and a bracket?
Nothing that I see would worry me. As said, thats cosmetic wrap around and they did a crappy job.
I have spots on my grady where they didn't even glass it.

Its the inside 90Degree against the transom and against the bottom that matters.
And that T structure across the top isn't going anywhere.

 

[Shipfaced]

You and I are in the same boat my friend. Pun intended. I own the same exact boat and am actually dealing with the same exact issue. However, my stringer knees are fully rotten all the way through with pretty much just the fiberglass skins left. Mine is to the point that definitely needs addressing. Yours honestly does Not look all that bad by the pictures. HOWEVER, what I would do in your case at minimum would be to at least encapsulate the raw wood thats exposed. You need to at minimum stop water from getting into the knee and further rotting. Doesn't have to be pretty. Just clean the area, scuff and lay some thickened epoxy resin, and a layer of glass if you like. On the bracket boats the stringer knees were brought up to the brace that runs across the top of the transom, essentially making a grid and tying the top of the transom into the bottom and stringers and strengthening it as a whole.