1977 Robalo Transom Repair

[KWS3Robalo]

I have a 1977 20' Robalo center console that needs a new transom.

Its in pretty good shape for its age. I purchased it form the original owner and it is pretty much completetly original. Even has the original twin 1977 85 hp Evinrudes with very low hours.

I have read several post on the subject of transom replacement but most detail cutting out the back and repairing the gelcoat. This has been good information but I would like to remove the deck and repair it from the inside.

So far, I have removed everything from the boat. Rub rail, bow rail, engines, all the wood, center console, all wire/cables, gas tank, etc. Everything!

This boat seems to have a lot of foam in it, which I am sure is holding the the deck and hull together. Before I started pulling, jacking and prying, I figured wouldn't hurt to ask if anyone has any advice, which will keep me from damaging anything. Also, does anyone know if the manufacture glued or glassed the hull and deck together?

Thank you.

KWS3

 

[jonesg]

Re: 1977 Robalo Transom Repair

HArd to undeerstand this,

so is the deck in or already out?
You said "the wood is out , everything."

Does it have a molded deck liner?
Some pics would help here.

Sound like you plan on popping the cap, watch out if you change the stringers with no cap, the hull will relax and set differently without the cap, then the cap might not fit.

I left the cap on mine, did the stringers and transom (20' center console Chrysler). I have a molded glass deck that sits on the foam, I removed and re-cored the deck but left the foam. Glued the deck liner back onto the foam with PL.

Rather than remove the whole liner I cut around the perimeter leaving 3 inch lip, thats how i managed to leave the cap on.

If you have a wooden deck its less likely the foam is that necessary, the wood is strong enough, I have no wood under my glass deck.
It looks , on mine, they put the deck liner in place , it sits on the stringer tops, then injected the foam to fill the cavity.

I used a seacast composite transom, no mo wood.
If you use wood you just have to gut it all out, no big deal , if you're already doing it.

 

[berry79]

Re: 1977 Robalo Transom Repair

Sounds like you're going through the same thing I'm doing. If the cap is one piece with the deck, and the deck is glued, you probaly will not get it off in one piece. what I did was cut the deck away from the cap(make sure to brace the cap so it doesn't change shape). I used a skill saw and a rotozip to make round corner cuts leaving about a 2" lip on the cap. This way I have some material to tab into when replacing the cap. Here is a link to my project.

http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?t=335204