sounds  like a  big job , id be looking at another as often it starts with just  have to fix this then it just keeps going on

I know what you mean, it's got me worried now as I had decided on  F/Glass boat for a number of reasons but now reckon that anything 20 odd years old is gonna have the same problem?

Sam, transom areas can be a real problem area for repairs after all the outboard hangs off it and there is a great deal of stress transferred to the mounting area. My immediate thought would be to give it a miss and keep searching for something else, there are a heap of boats around for sale.

Steve

And transom cracks / damage aren't limited to 20 year old boats either . Just the other day I pointed out a few cracks to an owner on a three year old  hull made by a highly regarded boat builder

Yeah thanks Steve, I think you have made my mind up.  With that said is there any problem with going for a F/Glass boat and is there anything I should be looking for?

The reason I want a half cabin is we are moving down to Albany and I want something I can take fishing with my daughter but have somewhere she can go and look at her book, colour in etc etc when she get's bored.

And before anyone say's it, I am only going in the river or harbour.

Check the floor condition aswell and see if its spongy , there are companies which do mobile boat checks which are a good investment

 Hey Tango the boat your looking at, is it the one on ebay by any chance??

IF YOU EVER NEED A LIMOUSINE...CALL LAKES LIMOUSINES BALLAJURA

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It looks tidy and has had the same owner for twenty years which appeals but the transom does put me off.

Just found another but keeping my options open at the moment, will be selling my little tinnie with 6 hp mercury soon though so if anyone is in the market for a little crabber!!

Another thing to watch out for in second hand boats is hull deformation from improper trailer fitting or positioning, especially when let sit over a long period of time. Deformation can seriously degrade the boat's performance and safety. And repairing is often not cost effective. 

A second pair of eyes is always a great accessory at the final inspection.

Just had a glasser quote 7-8 grand to do a transom on an old 5m carribean. Big bucks for it to be done properly.

Yoe lot are really scaring me now

The main thing that will make a transom rot out is mounting holes for outboard, swim ladder, transducers etc etc not sealed properly and letting water in. Comes down to boat buider as well using the right materials during building. Watch for spongy floor as not only the deck could be stuffed but could also result in a cracked hull if not fixed, the stringers and floor hold the hull rigid and if they are soft the hull can flex up and crack. Swiftcrafts are known for soft decks and also seen a few Frasers. There is a certain locally built boat not a well known brand that nearly every one that I've seen has had severe transom stress fractures, not a good look on a 100k plus boat. Not mentioning the name 

I have found a little half cabin that I think is a real bargain.  It is with a dealer so I am going to have a look at it tommorrow.  As it is a boat yard I imagine he is gonna give some form of warranty.  What sort of questions should I be asking??

If it's an old boat and motor you will probably find the motor only will have a very limited warranty.

 All i can say mate is try everything on the boat before you buy it.Make sure you take it on the water for a spin. When you pull the boat out on the trailer, pull the bungs straight away...if any water comes out....get in your car and go!

Also check lights, wheel bearings ect....dosnt sound like much, but it all adds up and you will be the one forking out for them.  Also ask them to drop some oil out of the motor leg..while your standing there..if it comes out milky...get in your car and go!

Dont trust the boat dealer....you do not look like a human when you walk thru the gate....to them your a talking dollar sign.

IF YOU EVER NEED A LIMOUSINE...CALL LAKES LIMOUSINES BALLAJURA

MOBILE 0416341256 OR PH 92496113

I will get someone to do an inspection on it and let you all know how I go.

Yeah, all good advice from the guys and girl (). An independent professional assessment is an absolute MUST and ask to sight the receipts for servicing and repairs - this will tell you to what extent the boat has been preventively maintained and a history of any work done on it. I wouldn't touch a second hand boat that didn't have PROOF of a good maintenance history.

Another thing, take the boat out on the water and give it a good run - see how she handles, steering etc. All boats behave slightly differently and you may not like how it handles - even if all else is OK.

This will also give you a good idea on how the boat slips off and is retreived onto the trailer. There's few things more painful than a bad trailer/boat combination. Matched correctly, and with a decent traile, the launch and retreive should be easy.

By the way, on that size boat, and on a GOOD day, you should be able to get out to Michaelmass and Breaksea  Islands which are located at the middle entrance to King George Sound.

If you have a 4by, there's a few beach launches outside the sound that can get you into some good ground and fish close in.

I fish out of Albany. Fishing in the Southern Ocean is a WHOLE new ball game to fishing the Indian Ocean, let me tell you. It can get pretty rough, pretty quickly.

If circumstances permit, I may be able to take you out in our boat. You can then witness conditions and get a look see first hand.

Oh, get yourself a VHF tranceiver, I had a HF and there are some dead spots with that frequency - VHF gives you a better range and is much clearer anyway.

Also, join Albany Sea Rescue, you'll then get a 'Mariner' call sign and they'll have all your details on file. Besises, you'll be supporting a VERY good cause and I'm told that if you need to call them and get a tow in, they'll be a lot happier if you are a member supporting them.

Another thing, if you are going to launch from Emu Point (there are other options), the channel can catch the newby/unwary, especially at low tide. It's a long arching channel (well marked) and quite narrow at times, which can see you aground if you are not concentrating.

When you get down to Albany, PM me your contact details and I'll give you a hoy and see if we can tee something up.

Colin Molloy

RECFISHWEST Member

(Colin 2 - Co-founding member of the prestigious Colin Club)

I am now also considering a Quintrex Fishabout or a Savage snipe.  I understand the pro's of a metal boat and was wondering what the general opinion was of them.