Hi, I am looking at a '70's boat and it has some cracking along the panel where the motor mounts. I never thought to take pictures, but my question is this: Is there a frame under there, or is it really just the plastic/fiberglass there. There is a large metal piece on the inside, but it looks pretty factory looking.

I would hate to see the back piece break and the Motor fall off.

If it is mostly cosmetic, I would be OK with that.

Here is a couple of Pics that shows where, Not the boat I am looking at, but close enough.

Thoughts??  Dave

I believe they call that the transom?
You can fix it, but you better know what you are doing.
Yes, they can and do crack and then motor goes bye bye( glub, glub, glub). Tie it off if you are really concerned.
In my personal experience with boats( my last one was a 27" cruiser), you are much better off to spend the money on a better one upfront, and make sure it has a trailer!!! It is pretty obvious that a lot of people on here like good deals, but if it ends up costing you lots of $$ in repairs, lots of down time, and may impact your personal , and friends and family's safety, spend the money for a ready to go boat. You'd be surprised how little use out of a boat you actually get, unless you are real close to water. Also, I would personally want to take any boat I intend to buy, and put it in the water, and take it for a cruise , with the seller. If they wouldn't do that, I wouldn't bother at all, but that's just me.Also, unlike a crappy car/ fixer upper,which you can dump on the side of the road, and walk away, when you lose power in the water and the tide turns, it can be a harrowing experience. Just ask my buddies who had to paddle a 7500 lb cruiser on one working oar!! I cried myself to sleep many nights on the last boat I had ( While I was sleeping in it...) haha

PS However, with all the perils I have outlined, being out on the water is a great pastime , and a great stress reliever, I find.
Good luck to you!

When the transom is cracked like that, you can lose the motor. The metal plate helps to secure the bolts not to break the fiberglass, but the transom itself looks like it is falling apart and no, there is no metal plate inside, it's just the fiberglass that holds everything. When you tow the boat with your truck, you should une what ia called a transom saver, it puts the weight of the motor that bounces all the time (with the canadian roads...) on the frame of the trailer instead of the fiberglass. Obviously it was not used in that case. I woudn't go on the water with this boat. And I agree with gjd, boating is a fabulous activity, but do it safely.

not all boats are made the same way, there maybe some reinforcement in it (wood) but unless you can know for sure stay away.  I know a thing or two about boats and frankly do yourself a favor and read the post of GJD again he wrote some good points.  Also, keep in mind the old saying: there are only two days that you are happy when you have boat............the day you buy it and the day you sell it

Cracks on the transom is a structural problem so possible big problems for the owner.  However, if for some unknown reason you decide to buy let me know I will give you some pointers onto possible repairs for it.

take care

Hi again, I think you have helped me avoid a problem I would be stuck with. Here is the ad, Not that I would have paid that for it, but I do like the size and style of this boat. Oh, and the Bond tie in is cool too!  

http://calgary.kijiji.ca/c-car.....0-W0QQAdIdZ196246437

Anybody have one of these boats?  Glastron  GT 150

Dave

Transom problems = stay away!  My 2 cents.