'74 v-20 transom

capitanmike · #1 01-16-2011, 08:35 PM

recently bought this boat, great ride, good layout. 140 johnson puts it on step just fine. one prob, i noticed the transom was a little soft, tho it doesn't flex under use. anyway, i pulled the aluminum angle on the aft top edge (not standard i think) and there is an open seam there along the entire top. prying it open a little, i found what was once plywood inside is now oatmeal. i believe i'm going to have to cut out the aft transom face to get to all the rot and rebuild. my question is---where to cut? i was thinking about 1"-2" in from bottom and sides. ANY SUGGESTIONS WILL BE GREATLY APPRECIATED. mike

Destroyer · #2 01-16-2011, 11:29 PM

Mike, there are a ton of pictures and answers to your questions in this site. Just do a search. Many of the members here have already done exactly what you are thinking about doing and have posted step by step instructions on how to do it. There's no need to reinvent the wheel, just do a search of this site. Welcome aboard

tsubaki · #3 01-17-2011, 06:25 AM

Think about digging it out and pouring the transom.
See pages 6-8, hope it makes sense.
http://www.wellcraftv20.com/communit...t=specs&page=6

macojoe · #4 01-17-2011, 09:45 AM

That was a wellcraft flaw putting that angle on top!! A few here when done fixing the transom just glassed the hole thing and never put it back on and I think thats a great idea, good luck

capitanmike · #5 01-17-2011, 09:59 PM

wellllll, i surfed all the transom repairs, and they sure run the gamut from down and dirty to rebuild the whole boat. think i'll end up somewhere in between. from the info i've gathered, there is likely stringer rot also. i REALLY don't want to go there. due to the splash well, it looks like i'd have to pull the entire cap (bow to stern, it's a cuddy/walk thru windshield model) to get to the aft deck, bilge sump etc. still thinkin' cutting the aft (outside) off to get everything clean enough to re-pour, w/ treated ply, foam, honeycomb, or whatever is best for backbone. i was also directed to another site that has good info but i won't mention the french word for boat and a number between 1 and 3. still scratchin' my watch and winding my butt on this one. --- cut it or no???? thats the question. i'll do a poll on it. what do y'all think?

Destroyer · #6 01-18-2011, 01:09 AM

Sorry, no one here can make that decision for you. It's entirely your call. However, I can direct you to www.youtube for several videos of people and their boats where the transom cracked and the boat either sank or had to be towed back to shore. And of course, earlier this summer just off the coast of New Jersey there was that family of four that all died when their transom gave way and they drowned.. but why bother even mentioning that. I'm sure it will never happen to you... right? (Of course I'm also sure they thought the same thing).

If inside your transom the wood looks like oatmeal then the structural integrity of the transom is gone. Simply put, it is no longer safe.

Look, like I've said a lot of times before. Boating is a a wonderful sport, full of fun and adventure. But if you do not, can not, or are not willing to do the maintenance required to your boat in order to keep yourself safe then perhaps it's better if you take up horseshoes or some other land based sport. That way you won't kill yourself or maybe some other person trying to save you when your boat sinks.

Sorry if I sound a little harsh, I don't mean to, but you have to realize the extreme danger that unsafe boating is. Fix your transom...we want to be talking with you, not about you.