Transom Issue??

[Ekea]

im looking a chase on line and just got extra pics from the dealer. i am not sure if i should be concerned with this pic. is this a failing transom?

 

[Chessie246G]

The amount of sealer around the cap is concerning. It's a known issue for them to leak. No way to tell without grinding, drilling or removing.

 

[seasick]

If the dark line below the cap and above the scupper is a crack, I would be concerned more than if the line is just a stain. There is definitely some decay going on it seems but it is difficult to tell how extensive it is.
If you get to see the boat, check for cracks in that spot as well behind the spot from the bilge as well as looking over the whole transom in and out.
If the problem is extensive, you might be able to tell by lightly tapping with a soft faced small hammer. leather faced is ideal but hard to find. Plastic faced will do. Solid rap sound is good, hollow sounds are not good. If there is extensive damage to the transom, repairs can and will be quite expensive. I would walk away regardless of the asking price if I wanted to spend my season boating and not restoring
Seriously, if you don't think there isn't a major issue, get a marine survey.

 

[Ekea]

thanks. a survey is definitely a prerequisite for purchase. i am just wondering if this is a walk away even before a survey.

 

[Chessie246G]

walk away, not for just that, unless the survey comes back with rot. It's an easy fix IF its not rotten..

 

[seasick]

It's probably fair to say that there will be issues that you didn't see during your inspection, especially if the buyer has limited or no experience with boat ownership. It's human nature to sometimes get too emotional evaluating a boat.
Just be willing to walk away if you feel unsure.

 

[Mustang65fbk]

What is the price of the boat? A surveyor will probably charge at least $350, if not closer to $500-700 all depending on what exactly you have them do. If you don't think it's worth the time or money spent on a surveyor then maybe look elsewhere? Or you could potentially always find a surveyor and send him the picture beforehand and see what he or she says? The portion to the right of the seam looks like a hole/chip/crack but the portion underneath just looks like a water stain imo. The majority of "knowledge" that I have on Grady's is about the 228's that have a transom bracket, but it looks like maybe someone did a repair to that area previously as it looks a bit rough. I'm not sure if it would've come from the factory looking like that? Either way, good luck!

 

[Ekea]

list price for the boat is mid $50k

 

[Mustang65fbk]

If you're serious about the boat then I'd maybe work the cost of the potential repairs into the selling price as well as whatever issues the surveyor may find with the boat on top of that. Good luck.