Water in Transom

[woodtac]

I fear that I have a major problem in a 2003 SE that I recently purchased. I mounted a new transducer today--starboard side, about 8" from centerline.
Put in two screws about 3" up from bottom. Drilling hole nearest centerline, the bit went in about 1/4" then seem to hit a void about 1/8" thick, then back into solid material. Water immediately began running out. I drilled second hole about 2" to the right of that--same feeling of a small void, but no waster came out. What is the diagnosis, and what is the fix? Am I in danger of a completely rotted transom? Is the boat safe to operate?

Thank you for any insight.

 

[woodtac]

I should have said that the boat is a 2003 21' SE.

 

[HOTPURSUIT]

That is never a good thing but you need to find where the water is getting in and get that stopped. It's mist likely getting in through a penetration on the transom. Ex. Bracket or engine bolts, ladders, anything bolted to the transome. A lot of manufactures use a balsa wood ply which is very soft that may be what your hitting, someone else maybe able to confirm that

 

[going2fast]

Water in the transom is bad but if the transom shows no signs of weakening you are ok for the time. I had an 88 Steiger that had a wet transom when I got it and ran it for 8 years and never showed signs it was weak. Granted it was a work boat with little resale value. You will eventually have to get it replaced but as long as it's solid I wouldn't worry. Marine grade plywood is treated. Look how long 2x bulkhead wood lasts and it's constantly being submerged. I would try to locate the source of the water intrusion. With the void you say you felt that's probably a small void in the layers of plywood made during manufacture. I see it often in construction and it's nothing to worry about.
Ricky

 

[woodtac]

Thanks for the input. I wrote directly to Parker and received the response below, which relieves my anxiety considerably:

It is likely that the previous transducer leaked just a small amount of water and the water collected downhill towards the keel of the boat in the void. The void is completely normal as we applied an adhesive material to the transom board but do not cover 100 percent of the surface of the board. The transom board is then encapsulated in fiberglass so the water most likely was trapped in between two layers of fiberglass. In most cases a repair shop will drill very small holes around that area to search for any area that water may still be trapped. From the sound of your explanation I think all of the water has been released and there should be no permanent damage to the transom.