Looking to sell my current bass boat and buy a used 17-18' tiller boat. I want to avoid a wood transom. All of these brands have aluminum or composite transoms now. When did they switch over from wood? I would like to avoid those years when looking for a used boat.
Boats & Motors
Lund/ Crestliner/ Alumacraft Wood Transoms
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Unless there is a specific year/model that is KNOWN to have transom rot issues, I wouldn't let a wood transom deter me from buying a certain boat. Aluminum and composite transoms can have issues just like wood ones, just not from moisture alone. They can have cracks, broken welds, delamination, etc. Broken welds and cracks inside the transom will not be visible and can be just as bad as rotten wood...I would look for a good deal on whatever boat you are looking for and then due your due diligence in inspecting it. On a 17-18' tiller boat, you should be able to stand on the anti-cavitation plate on the outboard and have little to no flex in the transom when bouncing up and down on the motor. Check the splash well for separation or caulking. Look from one side to the other across the back of the transom for excessive bowing and check the bolt heads to see if they are sinking into the transom on the inside of the boat. If none of these are present, the transom is more than likely solid.
I have a 1993 Princecraft Pro 169 and a couple years ago, I threw a ring and blew the powerhead on my 70hp Evinrude. Instead of paying $1800 to rebuild it and missing the boating season, I bought a 2003 90hp Johnson and hung that on the transom. The tech at the marina that swapped the motors could not believe how solid the transom was on my boat. I bought it used as the third owner in 2009 and the previous owner also stored it inside. He was told by the marina that the original owner sold it to them due to declining health and it had not seen much use and was stored in his garage. My point is, even old boats that were taken care of can have a solid wood transom and a 5 year old tournament boat that was used on Green Bay or Winnebago could have a trashed transom, even if it was aluminum or composite...If you are looking for something older than 2014/2015 in a tiller, you will probably find very few that will have an aluminum or synthetic transom.
I have a 1993 Princecraft Pro 169 and a couple years ago, I threw a ring and blew the powerhead on my 70hp Evinrude. Instead of paying $1800 to rebuild it and missing the boating season, I bought a 2003 90hp Johnson and hung that on the transom. The tech at the marina that swapped the motors could not believe how solid the transom was on my boat. I bought it used as the third owner in 2009 and the previous owner also stored it inside. He was told by the marina that the original owner sold it to them due to declining health and it had not seen much use and was stored in his garage. My point is, even old boats that were taken care of can have a solid wood transom and a 5 year old tournament boat that was used on Green Bay or Winnebago could have a trashed transom, even if it was aluminum or composite...If you are looking for something older than 2014/2015 in a tiller, you will probably find very few that will have an aluminum or synthetic transom.
I'm just curious if the rotted transom issue is a factor of how much it sits out in the weather or happens regardless. I have 2005 Lund Rebel and my uncle has a 2000 Lund ProV, mine has been stored in a garage, his under a carport and both transoms are still rock solid. He actually replaced the motor a couple of years go so the transom was checked out during the swap. I had 87 Alumacraft that the transom rotted out in less than 20 years but I was at least the 3rd owner so who knows how it was treated in the past.
Displaying 1 to 6 of 6 posts
