06 Lightening Transom and Stringer Rot?
 

I am down here in Texas as we speak looking at a 06 38 Lightening and just wanted to get some input on the transom and stringer situation on these boats. Was this particular year a problem one? I will only be here for 1 more day , any help would be greatly appreciated! Bilge is filthy and has some water in it. Doesn't look like has been very well cared for. Kinda sucks because engines/drives and hrs. are great. Boat runs and drives perfect, just needs some cleaning up!

All boats are susceptible to that type of rot. One of my boats is is currently getting a new transom and partial stringer replacement. Not the one I thought would be rotted though. If you're concerned I have bought a pinless moisture meter from Home Depot and it did correlate good and bad readings that were consistent from a professional survey. If you find uncomfortable spots you could negotiate from there. Unless you are already buying it right.
https://www.homedepot.com/p/General-...-MM9/303124004

I was thinking about finding a home depot and seeing if they had anything in stock. Did that meter work pretty good?

On my way to home depot!

It correlated pretty good. Some spots near exhaust and drain plug measured 15-21% and in the middle of the transom measured 8%. There was a discernable difference. Drill holes confirmed.

I would be looking for differences.

Just picked one up, heading back to the boat. Thanks for the help!

Just got done with my inspection. Turns out transom and stringers are gone! Unfortunate because I really liked the way the boat ran and handled.

unfortunate, long trip for a soggy boat, what was the owners reaction

Is the boat “take it easy”?

When I bought my boat that needed the transom the owner and I split the difference on the price of a transom. He deducted it from the price.

Negotiate the price accordingly if you like it. 90% of fountains have the same issue.

No there is no name on it. It is listed on Boat Trader for 105K. I had him at 85K, but in my eyes its not worth that. Long list of things that it would need to get it to my standards. If not for the transom and the stringers I would have bought it. Its also on a real nice Myco trailer. 06 lightening staggard 525's 250 hrs.

I guess I may have to start looking at something else. Does anyone know if the formula 382's have similar problems?

All boats can have these issues. You just have to do your due diligence. Glad you got the meter, now you can use it to check others. What readings were you seeing on the fountain?

All boats can have these issues. You just have to do your due diligence. Glad you got the meter, now you can use it to check others. What readings were you seeing on the fountain? I'd think 10-15% is reasonable on a 15yr boat.

Mind didn't read out in percentages, you have to use the pins for that. It had 7-8 lights lit in the bad spots. On the stringers I didn't even really need the meter. If I would have tapped on it too hard the head of the hammer would have went right through. However the meter was consistent with my findings. On good spots it had 2-3 lights lit and on bad spots 7-9 lit.

I need to fool with the meter a little more to get it really figured out. I was too rushed today. From what I gathered you just use it as a comparison tool. Get a reading from a spot that you know is good and use that for a baseline.

Was it the staggered 525 boat with the mercury racing decals on the bow?

To the Guy that looked at it, a semi stag 38 is a nice performing boat, beat him down on the price. Hell can't hurt to try.

If you can derig and re rig you can save a lot and when done know what you have. I did that on my 32 and almost prefer it at this point.

Is this the boat?
https://www.boattrader.com/boat/2006...tning-7593945/

The hull and deck just separate from those,,,,,,,,,,,,LOL.

Ya, thats the boat

He already has the boat traded in on a ski boat. They are giving him 75 on trade.

Trust me, this is one of those boats that pics. don't tell the story on!

from the ad on boat trader " Transom tested in 2019 no issues." who surveyed the boat ??

What’s the saying... those can can, do, and those that can’t, teach?

that applies 99% of “inspectors” in my experience

I am sure thats what they are telling him, after they jack up the real sale price on the ski boat 10-20K to cover it.

My 2003 37' Active Thunder had a composite transom and stringers. I can't remember exactly when they started doing this but it was most likely a few years prior to 03'.

This example is exactly why I spent $1000.00 and a few days of my time to fly down there from Traverse City MI and check this thing out for myself. Rather than hiring a surveyor and hoping he knew what he was doing. This rot didn't just happen in a year, and that's how long this guy owned it.

Cost to replace transom? Rear stringers?
 

What is the cost of a transom and rear stringer replacement on a boat like this? Just curious for reference.. best / worst case? 38'..

Depends on if its a drop off and pick up complete or you de rig and re rig. Also wood or Corsa?

I de rigged, and re rigged. Transom, and stringers were done for right around 5K in wood.