What is normal for a transom?

[westtwin]

I am looking at a 71 shell lake boat. It looks really good as it has been garage kept, but there appears to be a 3/4 inch bow in the transom. is that normal?

[Tim_Mattson]

It is normal for wood to sag while fiberglass will usually crack and split from the wood as it bends.
If it has cracks in the corners or screwheads pulled thru ,then it has moved.
Glasspars + some others are usually curved and it does give it strength like an egg.Not sure on the Shell......which conotates an egg btw.
Trouble with making it straight is usually found when putting back the splashwell or trim that has been giving in to gravity.Put a curved well onto a perfectly straight transom and it will push forward which will make it thicker....sometimes thicker than the motor can open up to at the clamps.
I`d only worry if it made noises when weight added to motor to simulate road bumps and waves.
If no oil-canning or flexing and the like ,then you`should be fine for another 40 years.
Hopefully others will chime in on the specific boat .......
Tim M

[Helmar]

That is normal for the Skagit boats.
Adds class I feel.:BigHappy1: