86 starcraft islander 1901- transom

[Finnish genius]

Yep, a stringer too. I took the transom seal off (22 hole rubber) I noticed the lower part of plywood was mush. I plan on taking the bad out and replacing it. The stringers on this are all aluminum. so no problem there. I am hoping I run into good wood 8 inches or so up.I will replace it and also seal it good and scab a piece on each side with glue and screws. Any advice from anyone who has had this problem. Thanks Ken

 

[Huron Angler]

Re: 86 starcraft islander 1901- transom

I almost hate to say it but you might as well replace the entire transom rather than try to salvage the good wood remaining.

Sealed with epoxy resin a new transom will outlast you, not the kind of thing you'd want to have to do twice.

Got some pics of the rig? Islanders are some sweet boats.

 

[Finnish genius]

Re: 86 starcraft islander 1901- transom

It is only the very bottom which is bad. I just don't think that I should replace the whole works. Cripes it lasted 24 years with just a little bad wood. I figure with new wood on bottom of transom and made solid with a couple of cleats glued and screwed. All this piece does is hold the bottom of the rubber seal to the boat and stern drive. It will be solid as a new transom . Has anybody repaired their transom this way. KEN

 

[jasoutside]

Re: 86 starcraft islander 1901- transom

One thing you are right on FJ is that transom needs only to hold together a rubber boot as far as the drive line is concerned. Surely it needs to provide structure for the entire boat too.

I'd say you will have one heck of a time cutting out the bottom 1/3 of that transom (without also cutting into your aluminum by accident) and trying to replace it with new wood and get everything sealed up properly. You have the channel that it rest in to deal with and all that.

Seems to me it would be far easier to pull the whole thing out. If you are doing that you might just as well go with all new wood (est grade, marine grade), seal it up right and then replace it. Of course the OMC intermediate drive is in the way of doing that so you'd need to at least take that out or slide the motor forward a few inches.

I am with Huron, you may as well do it right the first time.

Have fun! Cheers!

 

[Finnish genius]

Re: 86 starcraft islander 1901- transom

I am not getting the answers I want but what is being said has me rethinking this out. I shoot with a man who raced outboards , old Soupy will have him come out and check me out. I'm going on 68 and he was racing when I was a kid. He still runs a boat wide open damn near all the time. Thanks for the help maybe now you know what they call me a genius and then shake their heads. Ken

 

[Andy in NY]

Re: 86 starcraft islander 1901- transom

my vote is to replace the whole thing. its probably the same if not less work to do it all.

 

[Kainon]

Re: 86 starcraft islander 1901- transom

I thought my rotted transom was only the upper half, rotting from the top down and from the D-rings.. it wasn't.

I also had some rot around the gimbal housing and along the bottom edge. I am glad I did the whole thing..

I can feel the structural difference. And I beleive its stronger than others that coat their transom with Epoxy because I used CPES from Rotdoctor.com which soaks into the wood.

I have the core from cutting where the gimbal housing goes and when I tap it you can hear its stronger as it has a bit of a "ring" to it.. I want to weigh it, then soak it for a few days in water and see how much it took in.

 

[Finnish genius]

Re: 86 starcraft islander 1901- transom

Done! The bad part was only up 3 1/2" on the sides. Replaced it with 2 pieces of treated porch decking that was good and dry. 3 1/2"H x 16.5 L" 2"W . I glued them together cut them on band saw and then 2 coats of truck bed rubber coating plus one coat on inside of transom. Put the rubber Transom seal back on . I left it out in the sunlight and use dawn liquid dish soap to help ease it on. That only took a couple of minutes. The stringers hold the weight of the motor, stern drive. They are aluminum. The transom is solid all the way up. Will be installing a OMC aux. kicker mount in the next few days. It is rated for a 15 hp motor. If my repair causes problems I WILL reply to this thread. Ken

 

[Finnish genius]

Re: 86 starcraft islander 1901- transom

Finally took it out and ran it. Ran very well took full throttle with out a hick-up. It also ran nice trolling for a hour or so. No coughing at low speed.
It was the first time off the trailer in 7 or 8 years. I never touched the carb. The gas that was in it was still good I used it in my truck. Out of 15 gals that was in the tank I only lost about a gal or 2. Had a little water in it. Stablizer was in it.
After I drained tank I used Sea Foam with new gas. I was real happy that the carb was not crudded up. Still have to put water separator on gas line. The 6 hp trolling motor I put on will have to go up a hole I think. Bottom of motor cover is almost in the water. Maybe I can pick up a long shaft one later on. Went out in Lake Superior for about 5 minutes 2-3 ft waves. I will be running it on inland lakes this year til I get 2-3 tankfuls thru it. Make sure everything is ok. Ken

 

[Huron Angler]

Re: 86 starcraft islander 1901- transom

Glad to hear she's running well for ya Finnish Genius

Is the kicker motor on a bracket?

My kicker bracket can be moved up and down easily depending on the conditions, I got it for $15 on craigslist.

Post some photos of the rig if you can, we'd love to check it out.

 

[Finnish genius]

Re: 86 starcraft islander 1901- transom

Huron Angler , Picked up a OMC aux. OB bracket for it rated for a 15hp. Should really have a long shaft and bigger motor on it. This motor is a short shaft 6HP. Plan on using it on Lake Superior later on. If main motor quits want to have enough power to keep control of boat. I don't plan on going to far off shore. 3-4 miles maybe. If other boats are around different situation. Will get some pictures up later. Ken At this time I am pretty happy with it.