Water coming through transom

BobFino

BobFino

Active Member
SILVER Sponsor
Aug 26, 2010
189
Virginia Beach
Boat Info
Sea Ray 550 Sedan Bridge 2005.
Engines
MAN 900
Twin Disc MG-5114
On my 2005 550 Sedan Bridge I have the hydraulic swim platform. Recently I noticed some water in my bilge. Not a great deal of water but it wasn't there before. After tracking it down, I noticed a wet spot on the transom right below where the swim platform brackets would be on the outside. None of the bolts coming through are wet but I am guessing it is coming in through one of the bolts and taking the least path of resistance to seep in. It does look like there was a repair in this area or a very poor job of fiberglass work from Sea Ray. Now there is a black coloring seeping in with the spot, see the pictures attached. Any thoughts besides getting it fixed what might be going on?

Transom 2.jpg Transom 1.jpg
 
Hate to say it but typically a wet spot with black ooze is a sign of coring material rot. Saltwater seeping past even a stainless bolt will leave a small sign of rust discoloration. You might have a crack in the transom. I assume your transom is cored (plywood?). If so you will want to get it inspected, repaired and sealed asap.

If it was me, I would jump in the water with a small squeeze bottle of food coloring and inject all around the area where the bracket and bolts are while having someone look inside the bilge.....if you see any color then you know.
 
Looks like a previous self repair to me. It needs to come out of the water and be checked by a surveyor and repaired by a qualified yard. This may be a little deal or a very bid deal but it won’t get better on its own so my advice is do it as quickly as you can.
 
BobFino said:
On my 2005 550 Sedan Bridge I have the hydraulic swim platform. Recently I noticed some water in my bilge. Not a great deal of water but it wasn't there before. After tracking it down, I noticed a wet spot on the transom right below where the swim platform brackets would be on the outside. None of the bolts coming through are wet but I am guessing it is coming in through one of the bolts and taking the least path of resistance to seep in. It does look like there was a repair in this area or a very poor job of fiberglass work from Sea Ray. Now there is a black coloring seeping in with the spot, see the pictures attached. Any thoughts besides getting it fixed what might be going on?

View attachment 137648 View attachment 137649
Click to expand...
I hate to hear this Bob. But no better time than winter for a haulout/repair. Let us know how it goes please.

Can you tap from the inside with a phenolic hammer and determine soft spots? I don't know if that works with the boat in the water...
 
NotHerDecision said:
Looks like a previous self repair to me. It needs to come out of the water and be checked by a surveyor and repaired by a qualified yard. This may be a little deal or a very bid deal but it won’t get better on its own so my advice is do it as quickly as you can.
Click to expand...
Gallf1 said:
Hate to say it but typically a wet spot with black ooze is a sign of coring material rot. Saltwater seeping past even a stainless bolt will leave a small sign of rust discoloration. You might have a crack in the transom. I assume your transom is cored (plywood?). If so you will want to get it inspected, repaired and sealed asap.

If it was me, I would jump in the water with a small squeeze bottle of food coloring and inject all around the area where the bracket and bolts are while having someone look inside the bilge.....if you see any color then you know.
Click to expand...

Thank you for the input, my feelings exactly. I will be talking to the yard tomorrow.
 
Just to give you the update. Once we pulled the boat and got a closer look there was two 1/2" holes drilled thru the transom and only repaired from the inside and not very well at that. The holes were never noticed from the outside because they were inside the swim platform bracket and covered with paint. Can't imagine what these holes were drilled for and why somebody would not fix them!! Happy to say the repair was not as bad as I was fearing, and all is well again. It still amazes me the things people do to boats and do not do the proper repairs. I would love to know who drilled and why these holes were made thru the transom. Happy to say that Sea Ray has a very thick solid transom.
 
That's great news I'm sure you're very relieved.

I'm wondering if the holes were drilled to inspect a suspected core issue and then hastily repaired.

How long have you owned the boat.
 
Yes, very pleased. I owned the boat for about 4 years now. The holes are definitely a mystery.
 
BobFino said:
...Can't imagine what these holes were drilled for ...
Click to expand...

Do you have underwater lights? Those holes could be for the old wiring, if the lights were replaced.
 
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