Metal Knees on a sleekcraft or a good repair for tansom issues? Need Help

[trickcraft]

Need some help here. I am thinking of buying a sleekcraft. From what I can tell is a 92. You can see below there are some cracks on each side of the transom but what is interesting is the second last pic. The boat from what I know came from a race team and they have effectively tied the transom to the floor. Those rods continue up through the rear splash guard decking turn and connect to the bracing and jack plate on the rear. I dont have those picks. Also the rear is metal plated as can be seen. There is metal bracing on the inside and top splash guard decking.

Because I live in Canada, boats are expensive and as such, I am looking for our two cents here so please provide any comments you might have.

[rgsauger]

It might hold together for a while and be just fine but at some point, the repairs will have to be done the right way. Yank/bounce up and down on the motor and prop and see if the transom flexes. If it does, then either pass on it or just be sure to buy the boat with the repair$ in mind. Good luck!

[doubleeagle]

If the transom is rotten the transom is rotten. No matter how much metal you bolt on it is not going to correct the fact that it has no structal intergity. All your doing is bolting more weight to a already failed system. Replace failed system period. Another thing those bolts appear to be bolted to a plywood floor and already have compromised the plywood and bent the eyelets causing a compromised bolt at the bend point. Just a question why would you think this was a race boat it looks like a Sleek SST stock outboard with a ski tow. Is the seller is telling you its a race boat if so you might question anything else he has told you about the boat.

[Dave Strong]

I bet there is more rot than just the transom.

Dave

[Dave Strong]

I bet there is more rot than just the transom.

Dave

[Ace]

I have had several sleeks that style, they all cracked in that area even when they were brand new.
I corrected one by supporting with rods from the get go, brand new boat.
I had one of their race boats and they had knees tied into the transom that was the answer to that problem. That would be the correct way to support the transom to keep it from cracking.
GOOD LUCK !

[doubleeagle]

I bet there is more rot than just the transom.

Dave

Ya think maybe. I was trying to be as nice as I could you can bet any thing in that boat with wood has a issue it boils down to how big a issue.Ill go out on a limb and say transom floors and stringers at least.

[doubleeagle]

I have had several sleeks that style, they all cracked in that area even when they were brand new.
I corrected one by supporting with rods from the get go, brand new boat.
I had one of their race boats and they had knees tied into the transom that was the answer to that problem. That would be the correct way to support the transom to keep it from cracking.
GOOD LUCK !

Yes they do most show some type of cracking at the corner of the motorwell because of the way the stock transom is put in the boat as a production boat. Yes all the race boats were reinforced with 2 or 4 knees also none of the race boats had floors and they all had full length stringers and a core to support the bottom.

[Riverratt]

It should only have one stringer running up the center sponson. It does not look like it was ever a raceboat to me. That is the standard layout

[trickcraft]

Just to be clear...I am not sure that it was a race boat in the true sense but it was owned by a guy who races boats. BTW I noticed that in the first pick you can see the tie in come through the splash deck and tie into the motor. It does not look like a hack job.

I also pulled on the motor and it did not seem to be moving or shaking at the transom.

The worst part is that there are two sleeks for sale on this board for better prices than what this guy is asking but they are far away and transport costs are not cheap. Still a consideration though. Will price out transportation tomorrow. Maybe this is a better option.

I live near Roy Lewis. I will call him tomorrow and get his input as well.

cheers

[z1rider]

My 85 sleek SST cracked in the well when it was less than 5 years old. I had knee braces glassed in, and in some rough water, it cracked again in the same place. Transom was checked out more than once,and found no evidence of rot.

[tunnels]

Looking at it in real terms the motor and all else needs to be stripped off and a complete new transom to take the weight of a motor that's size PLUS the extra leverage caused from the bracket is more than it was ever supposed to have !! Those ties down to the floor are just a stop gap measure and will eventually rip out for sure . So if you not up for a rebuild and its costs ,walk away !!