Brown Stain On Transom

[msucom]

I may purchase a 2000 DAUNTLESS 18. The transom of this boat is shown below in Figure 1.

Fig. 1. View of the transom of an c.2000 DAUNTLESS 18 with a rust-colored stain on the transom which appears to have been created by something draining from the garboard drain.

brownStainTransom_.jpg (13.48 KiB) Viewed 534 times

Q1: is the presence of of a rust-colored stain as seen in Figure 1 an indication of rot in the transom?

The transom seems to be solid. There is no flex [in the transom] when [a force is applied to the engine using a foot]. Inside the bilge nothing is rusting.

[Phil T]

The rust appears to come from the drain plug or a non-stainless fastener.

[frontier]

[In Figure 1 I see what] looks like rust from the lower screw fastener. [The cause of the rust may be due to] the China version of stainless steel.

A rust stain will clean up quickly with Barkeeper's Friend.

Replace the fastener with American-made stainless steel fastener.

The fix will be quick and cheap.

[msucom]

Thank you for the advice.