transom repair for 74
 

Good morning.

I have a 1974 outboard model V20. The transom is weak, you can shake the motor and see it move, and you can see it move when underway too. There are some cracks around the overflow well too.

My plan is to:

1) Remove the motor.
2) Grind around the outside of the transom and remove the fiberglass skin.
3) Remove all the wood.
4) Put the skin back on.
5) Fill the void with this SeaCast stuff.
6) Put the motor back on.

Am I on the right track?

Something else that worries me. The floor is a little weak. It bounces when you jump up and down on it. Right in front of the passenger front seat it looks like the stringer is coming through the floor and my buddy says he can feel the floor moving there when underway. Can I put that one off until next year? I don't really have the time or money to do the floor and transom this year if I want to get it in the water.

Thanks in advance for any comments or advice.

Tom

Re: transom repair for 74
 

WELCOME WPV :)

You've got a lot of reading to do. Then you have a lot of work to do if you choose to accept this mission.

Start your research by going to the how to forum and learn how to search this site. There is a lot of good info to be found. Good luck - sounds like your gonna need it.

Re: transom repair for 74
 

Tom...I'm not sure about this so check into it first, but if your floor is soft then it probly's gotta go...stringers probly soft too...if this is the case then take out floor and stringers as needed and remove soft transom material from INSIDE...less cosmetic repair to finish...you'll have to lift(not remove) the cap...had my '74 cap up couple of months ago...not the nightmare I thought...either way, I don't envy what you got ahead of you...go ahead...the sooner you start, the sooner you'll be enjoying your boat again ;D...

Re: transom repair for 74
 

The Seacast stuff requires that you leave the outside skin on. www.transomrepair.com Tom I would check out those stringers and ribs if you can. Good luck man.

Re: transom repair for 74
 

The transom is painted already so I plan to just paint it rather than repair the gelcoat. I plan to reglass the outside transom skin back on before pouring the seacast.

I think I am going to rip out the floor next year. There is no way I will be able to do it this year. I've got a 3 year old daughter and another one coming in June. I'll just keep it out of rough water this year. I mainly use the boat to fish the Hampton Roads Bridge Tunnel in Norfolk for striper, trout, flounder, etc. I fish out of a kayak half the time too.

Thanks for the advice.

Tom

Re: transom repair for 74
 

After looking at some of the pictures in the gallery (very informative) I'm not so sure my stringers are bad. The floor is weak near the stern, in the middle. I cut a port in there and the floor seems soggy around there. It will probably last a while.

I have also thought about filling the entire bilge with foam and coating the deck with truck bedliner material. Anyone have experience with either?

Re: transom repair for 74
 

Tom, I think you would be better off getting yourself a big bilge pump. Walmart has the attwood brand 1275 for about 20.00 that will pump out water as fast as a garden hose and easy to install. I would'nt suggest foaming until after your repairs are made. That stuff can get expensive. Congrats on the newcomber.

Re: transom repair for 74
 

WPV...if your transom is soft, get a motor-toter to at least get the weight off while towing...this might buy you some time til you can get to the work...

Pretty sure I would NOT foam that bilge...I think you'd be creating more problems than you'd solve...I do like Vic's suggestion re new bilge pump...of course, follow that up w/a good strong battery... ;D

Re: transom repair for 74
 

After examining the bilge I think what I have found is that the stringers and everything else in there is GONE. That must be why the boat shakes so much in the chop. Oh well. Transom this year, rip up the floor next year.

Re: transom repair for 74
 

WPV...I think you'l find that economicly you'll be better off to do it all "while you got it open"....either way, good luck w/it... ;D