Mark Hofman
Well-Known Member
- Joined
- Nov 12, 2001
- Messages
- 3,095
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I was out cleaning my boat today, getting it ready for a trip at the end of the month. Washing it off, I noticed the beginnings of a potential problem.
In my splashwell, I have two drain holes that go through the transom. Both are aluminum metal tubes approximately one inch in diameter, which are flared on the inside of the splashwell and again on the outside of the transom. I think the flares hold them in place, but I don't know if they are actually welded to the transom plates or not.
I stuck a washrag inside to clean the starboard one out and the rag was snagged on something. Looking inside, I could see what looked like three .22 bullet holes. right in the middle of the tube. On the port side tube it there were four. The metal isn't cracked bow to stern and the flared edges are intact. But in the middle of each tube it appears that some kind of flexing caused the metal to buckle a bit and then pop open in three or four spots.
My first concern is that this could be the first sign of a bigger problem. If so, how do I arrest it or correct it? If it is a bigger problem, what could it be?
My second concern is how to go about fixing the tubes so that water doesn't get into the actual wood part of my transom and begin to cause rot? Right now I don't detect any sign of weakening.
If anyone has a contact at Tracker (or if Nathan Long reads this), I would be interested to hear what Tracker Marine's recommendation would be. I realize this isn't a warranty issue because it's a 2001 boat, so I'd have to pay for repairs. And if any other Tournament V18 owners or Tracker aluminum boat owners have experienced the same problem, I'd like to hear from you.
Thanks for taking the time to consider this.
Mark
In my splashwell, I have two drain holes that go through the transom. Both are aluminum metal tubes approximately one inch in diameter, which are flared on the inside of the splashwell and again on the outside of the transom. I think the flares hold them in place, but I don't know if they are actually welded to the transom plates or not.
I stuck a washrag inside to clean the starboard one out and the rag was snagged on something. Looking inside, I could see what looked like three .22 bullet holes. right in the middle of the tube. On the port side tube it there were four. The metal isn't cracked bow to stern and the flared edges are intact. But in the middle of each tube it appears that some kind of flexing caused the metal to buckle a bit and then pop open in three or four spots.
My first concern is that this could be the first sign of a bigger problem. If so, how do I arrest it or correct it? If it is a bigger problem, what could it be?
My second concern is how to go about fixing the tubes so that water doesn't get into the actual wood part of my transom and begin to cause rot? Right now I don't detect any sign of weakening.
If anyone has a contact at Tracker (or if Nathan Long reads this), I would be interested to hear what Tracker Marine's recommendation would be. I realize this isn't a warranty issue because it's a 2001 boat, so I'd have to pay for repairs. And if any other Tournament V18 owners or Tracker aluminum boat owners have experienced the same problem, I'd like to hear from you.
Thanks for taking the time to consider this.
Mark