jiminmichigan

Hey Guys,

I was wondering if anyone has experienced this issue.

Shortly after purchasing the boat, the first time I used it I noticed water in the bilge. Not enough to make the pump run but more than I'd like. When I put the boat on the trailer I left the plug in to see if I could see water coming out. After a few days I noticed brown streams at the bottom of the outdrive. see photo.

Naturally I was wetting my pants because I thought the transom had been compromised.

I took the boat to Marine Specialists in Fenton, MI who came highly recommended by some very critical friends.

They had to remove the engine and outdrive to make sure the bottom of the engine and outdrive were properly sealed at the transom inside and out. Craig said the transom was just a bit damp but structurally not compromised. He made sure it was completely dry before re-installing the engine and outdrive. He said he had seen rot in transoms and he was convinced that mine was structurally sound.

I used the boat only 1 time since. There was some water in the bilge, but way less than before.

I filled the bilge with water and let it sit for a few days, no seepage at all. I completely drained the bilge and winterized the boat.

I was out of town for about 8 weeks, when I came home and was hooking it up to take it to storage I noticed a small puddle below the boat, and a dry brown witness stream from the right hand side of the outdrive.

Naturally I called Craig at Marine specialists and he told me to immediately bring it in when I get it out of storage. I know he will make it right.

Please see the photos below. The first is is when I originally used the boat and took it to Marine Specialists. The second is what I noticed before storing the boat. Naturally the amount is much less, but It's still a enough to cause concern.

I was just wondering if any of you have experienced this. Thanks in advance.
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bats05

I was in the same "boat" with a 2000 H2X,, with the stress cracks in your glass and the water marks,, My conclusion is a transom that needs replaced. I had mine replaced at the Lake of the Ozarks, never one issue after that. New owner was pleased also that the work was completed

bats05

Not discrediting the marina at all first off, just my conclusion that your transom may be wetter than you think,, did you try tap test on the transon wall.

79formula

My formula was just like yours, slight leak, damp around the drive, and a few stress cracks. I ripped out the transom, it was solid about 4 inches around the drive hole. The transom was mush everywhere else. It must be able to dry a little bit around the drive and not rot as fast as the other wood.

jiminmichigan

[QUOTEMy formula was just like yours, slight leak, damp around the drive, and a few stress cracks. I ripped out the transom, it was solid about 4 inches around the drive hole. The transom was mush everywhere else. It must be able to dry a little bit around the drive and not rot as fast as the other wood.][/QUOTE]

There are no stress cracks at all. Perhaps I will see if Craig at Marine specialists has a moisture meter when I bring the boat to him in the spring. If I may ask, how much did you guys pay for the new transom?

I did do the tap test and the transom sounded the same as it did near the corners.

I appreciate the replies.

79formula

My transom cost me $500 for all the materials and about 6 afternoons of labor.

bats05

I debated doing it myself,, did a ton of research, I did not have the Facility to work on the boat,, transom cost me about $4,500

FBRONCO

iTrader: (1)

It seems like the water would have to be coming from your transom assembly opening or transom assembly stud holes in the transom. I'm assuming it's a bravo 1. That would mean that the transom assembly is not sealed up to the transom too well. Usually you will see redish-brown water weeping path marks like you see when moisture is weeping out of the wood. It those are weeping marks, then it seems like the transom assembly is not sealed to the transom. Usually a foam gasket is utilized on the bravo 1. I would also check anything attached to the outside of the transom like trim tabs, eye hooks, etc.

jiminmichigan

Thanks for the replies. It's a Bravo 1. When Marine Specialists removed the engine and outdrive after photo 1 above he said the transom was a bit damp but he let it dry for over a week and ensured it was robust. The boat was never left in the water for more than a day or 2 with me and never overnight with the previous owner as it was stored in a lift in a boat house. I'm sure hoping that Craig just missed something. I know originally Baja screwed up a bunch of the seals in these years. Also there are no stress cracks no brown marks inside or outside the boat at the tie down hooks or the exhaust outlets. Also now the only brown mark is on the bottom right hand side of the outdrive where (in photo 1, before the engine and outdrive removal) ) it was both sides and the bottom.

bats05

Hey sorry,, thought those horizantal lines by the plug where stress cracks.