Reposted in the right group... few questions

[PhilBrame]

What's up fellas? Name is Phillip and I live near Charlotte Nc. I was scrolling around facebook a few months ago and come across a deal. Guy was selling an 81 18ft wellcraft fisherman. I drove up too a look and agreed on 600 bucks. The boat over all is in good shape but I bought the boat as a project and know will take some time/ money. The floor has some soft spots and some cosmetic stuff. Sooo having said that, my plan is to turn this bad boy into a hunt/fish machine. I want to do a hull restore. I have read a few threads on other sites about the transom being a bit shallow and wet so here is my question... 1)Does raising the transom to a 25 inch make a big difference? 2)With me redoing the transom would what are some of the pros and cons of sea cast to wood? I would love to do corsa board but not in the budget. 3) With me wanting to raise the transom can I shorten up the splash well to provide a little more space in the rear for decoys, people ect. 4) What things should I consider if I decide to move the console? I plan on removing the old and making one. I considered moving it to the side but I am not sure. I know this is alot and I really appreciate the time to answer my barrage of questions. I am in love with this boat and want to do it justice!!!!

[SkunkBoat]

Assuming its gonna be a lake boat..on an 18footer no reason to raise the transom height unless you already have a 25" motor.
As for redoing the transom, follow the link to my youtube video using CarbonCore pourable transom.
CarbonCore was also called NidaCore or Arjay. It is really pourable. Seacast is much thicker and clumpy and you have to be careful of making voids. Some videos for that show complicated vacuum bagging technique.
Whatever you do, Do Not cut the outside skin of the transom.

The splash well will depend on your motor and where it ends up when its raised out of the water...unless you don't care if it raises the lower unit out of the water..maybe its a trailer boat or on a lift...
you say its an 81. Does the deck drain overboard or into the bilge? That is an important consideration if you are going to mess with the splashwell.

Making a side console out of a center console would be cool.
Pro - more room to walk fore & aft and fish while drifting
Con- center consoles are placed to for optimal ride for the operator. you will lose the smooth ride.

[steplift20]

Again welcome to the site, you will love it, we are here to help each other cause we all love our wellcrafts They always came thru for me

[PhilBrame]

Skunk boat, thanks for the reply. I have watched your youtube videos a couple times. I was really interested in how you did yours. Sounds like an option I will explore.

[SkunkBoat]

Originally Posted by PhilBrame

Skunk boat, thanks for the reply. I have watched your youtube videos a couple times. I was really interested in how you did yours. Sounds like an option I will explore.

The shortcut is to use the chain saw to dig out as much of the wood from between the skins as possible and then fill with pourable material. Saves you from cutting the cap. On an 18' with a 20" transom I think that might be the way to go. You could still raise the height too.. Probably only need 2 buckets.

The down side of that method is that you can't grind the skins clean so you might not get the best bond...

[PhilBrame]

Skunkboat.... Which type of carbon core did you use? The website has 3 different options. All purpose, corebonding and transom ceramic. I appreciate the recommendation. I feel I can handle the pour able transome better than cutting laminating and glassing the plywood.