Transom Reinforcement on 25-Outrage: Stock or Not?

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  Transom Reinforcement on 25-Outrage: Stock or Not?

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Author Topic:   Transom Reinforcement on 25-Outrage: Stock or Not?

JimU posted 11-22-2002 10:59 AM ET (US)
I recently acquired a 1982 25-Outrage. I took the boat to a fiberglass repair shop to have some minor work done. The repair man observed that the boat had a angle aluminum reinforcement on top of the transom and questioned the reason for it being there. I told him that I assumed it came stock. In looking at Pics of Outrages in copies of owner's manuals and on the Whaler forum for boats of that vintage, I don't see any angle-iron (aluminum) reinforcements mounted on top of the transom. He also observed that the gel coat on the transom had some stress cracks on the interior of the transom between the bolt holes on the lower engine mounting bolts. Do you think the aluminum reinforcement is something that Whaler would have installed or is it more likely to be a an aftermarket modification installed by a dealer or repair shop? Would you speculate on the reason for it and advise me if I should look for anything unusual (damage or other hidden defects in the transom). It seems solid as a rock. Thanks JIM
captbone posted 11-22-2002 11:09 AM ET (US)
I would just look at everything a little closer now, check the whole boat out. I do not think that whaler did that. The old owner could have just done that for extra comfort, he might not not have trusted the transom because of problems with other brand boats, you see that alot. People who have had to reinforce things on other boats so they just do it automaticly on a whaler. Or he could have had twin v8 omcs hanging off the back while jumping 10 ft waves all day long.
lhg posted 11-22-2002 03:00 PM ET (US)
Jim - The Capt is correct, as the Re-inforcement is DEFINITELY not factory. Whalers never even had the cheap little trim pieces installed that they are now using to cover the interior liner joints on the transom. The top surfaces of all Whaler transoms were just gelcoat finished, one of those extra little details that set the boats apart from the rest. If you go to the Reference Section, and look at JimH's article on Standard Transom Brackets, you can see several close up photos of the transom top on my 18 Outrage. These photos are representative of how all 2nd generation Outrage transoms were finished at the factory, including the 25's.
I agree that I would carefully check the transom now, as this could be an indication of repair work. Then one has to wonder why such work would have been needed. Whaler transoms are about as tough as they get. None of this means, however, that the transom is not structurally sound.
JimU posted 11-22-2002 04:55 PM ET (US)
Capt and lhg, thanks for your input I'll follow your recommendations. Here is what Chuck Bennett advised:
"Jim,
"Whaler did not install any type of aluminum angle material on top of the transoms (that I know of). Back in 1982 we just gelcoated over the exposed transom weld, sanded and buffed them. I'd just remove the material to see what it is covering up. If the weld (where the inner and outer hulls were molded together) is split, it should be properly fiberglassed. Attached is some info on repairing a split transom weld.
"Stress cracks (gelcoat only) are very typical around the engine mounting area. I'd have the repair person just check the fiberglass under the gelcoat to make sure it is just cosmetic. If not, the fiberglass would have to be built up around the area and then re-gelcoated."
jimh posted 11-23-2002 01:32 PM ET (US)
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Author	Topic: Transom Reinforcement on 25-Outrage: Stock or Not?
JimU	posted 11-22-2002 10:59 AM ET (US) I recently acquired a 1982 25-Outrage. I took the boat to a fiberglass repair shop to have some minor work done. The repair man observed that the boat had a angle aluminum reinforcement on top of the transom and questioned the reason for it being there. I told him that I assumed it came stock. In looking at Pics of Outrages in copies of owner's manuals and on the Whaler forum for boats of that vintage, I don't see any angle-iron (aluminum) reinforcements mounted on top of the transom. He also observed that the gel coat on the transom had some stress cracks on the interior of the transom between the bolt holes on the lower engine mounting bolts. Do you think the aluminum reinforcement is something that Whaler would have installed or is it more likely to be a an aftermarket modification installed by a dealer or repair shop? Would you speculate on the reason for it and advise me if I should look for anything unusual (damage or other hidden defects in the transom). It seems solid as a rock. Thanks JIM
captbone	posted 11-22-2002 11:09 AM ET (US) I would just look at everything a little closer now, check the whole boat out. I do not think that whaler did that. The old owner could have just done that for extra comfort, he might not not have trusted the transom because of problems with other brand boats, you see that alot. People who have had to reinforce things on other boats so they just do it automaticly on a whaler. Or he could have had twin v8 omcs hanging off the back while jumping 10 ft waves all day long.
lhg	posted 11-22-2002 03:00 PM ET (US) Jim - The Capt is correct, as the Re-inforcement is DEFINITELY not factory. Whalers never even had the cheap little trim pieces installed that they are now using to cover the interior liner joints on the transom. The top surfaces of all Whaler transoms were just gelcoat finished, one of those extra little details that set the boats apart from the rest. If you go to the Reference Section, and look at JimH's article on Standard Transom Brackets, you can see several close up photos of the transom top on my 18 Outrage. These photos are representative of how all 2nd generation Outrage transoms were finished at the factory, including the 25's. I agree that I would carefully check the transom now, as this could be an indication of repair work. Then one has to wonder why such work would have been needed. Whaler transoms are about as tough as they get. None of this means, however, that the transom is not structurally sound.
JimU	posted 11-22-2002 04:55 PM ET (US) Capt and lhg, thanks for your input I'll follow your recommendations. Here is what Chuck Bennett advised: "Jim, "Whaler did not install any type of aluminum angle material on top of the transoms (that I know of). Back in 1982 we just gelcoated over the exposed transom weld, sanded and buffed them. I'd just remove the material to see what it is covering up. If the weld (where the inner and outer hulls were molded together) is split, it should be properly fiberglassed. Attached is some info on repairing a split transom weld. "Stress cracks (gelcoat only) are very typical around the engine mounting area. I'd have the repair person just check the fiberglass under the gelcoat to make sure it is just cosmetic. If not, the fiberglass would have to be built up around the area and then re-gelcoated."
jimh	posted 11-23-2002 01:32 PM ET (US) [Administrative post]