Cracks in transom - New boat

[Matthew MacLean]

Just checking out my RIB tonight and found 2 small cracks in the transom. Cracks are in the corners of the cut out of the recess for the engine, one in each corner. They follow the profile of the cut out, are about 1 1/3 inches (35mm)long and 2 inches (50 mm)respectively and are located about 10mm from the top edge. Please see photos provided.

RIB is only 14 hours old. Engine was installed professionally. Have done some fair trips in it so far. A bit of rough choppy water. 2 fairly rough runs where it was all throttle work to stop the boat (passangers) taking a pounding.

Motor is a single 135 Hp 2 stroke (Evinrude). transom is rated for 140 HP, and have seen 140 4 strokes (weighing 30kg more) and routinuely twin 70 HP installation on the same hull coming in at 220kg , so weight should not be an issue. (motor is 190kg)

A visual inside the transom shows no cracks and no other stress lines show up on the hull else where. Trailer set up is good with rear rollers coming to within a inch of the edge of the transom.

Is this a problem or just acceptable stress relief?. I don't want to go back to the supplier unless I really have to as it will be a major warranty claim.


All help Appreciated

Matt

[Scotty]

For what it's worth I would show the boat to the retailer and let him have the pictures. Document everything to him and keep copies. By the way do you know an engineer ?

[Matthew MacLean]

Originally Posted by Scotty

. By the way do you know an engineer ?

Yer, and as a kid I worked in a fiberglass factory makng boats

But I more than happy to get a second opinion from people who see this sort of thing every day.

This one has me concerned so I put it out there. Thinking most likely it is just cracking in the gel coat. Have forwarded the pics to the supplier, and will be taking the boat back to them shortly for evaluation. So hopefuly it'd nothing and they'll fix it and it will be never seen again.

Matt

[codprawn]

Originally Posted by Matthew MacLean

Yer, and as a kid I worked in a fiberglass factory makng boats

But I more than happy to get a second opinion from people who see this sort of thing every day.

This one has me concerned so I put it out there. Thinking most likely it is just cracking in the gel coat. Have forwarded the pics to the supplier, and will be taking the boat back to them shortly for evaluation. So hopefuly it'd nothing and they'll fix it and it will be never seen again.

Matt

I have read about quite a few others here with similar problems - as you said probably just cracks in the gel coat that will settle down sooner or later.

[jwalker]

Originally Posted by codprawn

..- as you said probably just cracks in the gel coat that will settle down sooner or later.

Nah.

[Manos]

agree with JW

[Cookee]

Originally Posted by codprawn

I have read about quite a few others here with similar problems - as you said probably just cracks in the gel coat that will settle down sooner or later.

don't think so! You a boat builder now as well?

[Matthew MacLean]

Thanks to the guys who added something constructive to this thread. To the last 3 posters, if you really want to display your extensive knowledge, suggest a but of detailed discussion about what can cause this/ advice on the problem, cause you really are not covering yourself with glory here.

Matthew

[Pete7]

Matt, take it back to the dealer. Then he can see there is a problem and fix it. If you don't:

1. The manufacturer will continue to assume everything is hunky dory.

2. Salt water will soak into the grp underneath.

3. The cracks may continue to spread further.

4. This may or may not be the first sign of a serious problem.

Ask the manufacturer / dealer to investigate the problem and come up with a solution.

Pete

[Cookee]

Sorry Mathew, you're quite right, what I should have said is that cracks such as these should never be ignored, and as Pete said, get them looked at - to make a judgement from a couple of photos and some text is impossible, and anything anybody says without prior knowledge of problems with that make and model of hull is just guessing.

I don't want to go back to the supplier unless I really have to as it will be a major warranty claim.

I think that's the only way to sort it out?