1977 Monark McFact 5 - Transom/engine question.

[Burks]

I recently purchased a 1977 Monark McFast 5 for a good price (my first boat ever actually). Hull looks great, deck is fine, carpet is good, etc. Came with a 115hp Evinrude outboard and 46lb thrust trolling motor. It was on the water 3 days prior to me buying it.

My question is this: I noticed that when the motor is trimmed the transom flexes maybe 0.25" at MOST. Upon research through iBoats here, the maximum rated HP is 85. Could the minor flex be more due to the added weight of the larger motor more so than a problem? The previous owners used this boat weekly to fish and ran it 40mph+ regularly with no problems. I don't see any cracks in the transom and it feels very solid to me.

Should I be concerned about this minor flex? Should I really consider downsizing the motor? The main lake I fish at has an 8mph speed limit throughout the entire lake, so 115hp is major overkill. Maybe a 25-40hp motor?

While I'm at it: The motor mounted is a 1969 Evinrude - 115HP - Hydraulic trim. What do you think this is worth as a fair asking price? I may outright sell it or just trade for a newer, lower HP motor.

Thank you for your time and help. I do appreciate it.

 

[5150abf]

Re: 1977 Monark McFact 5 - Transom/engine question.

Welcome to iboats.

Go out and stand on the the bottom of the outboard and see how much the transom moves, the weight of the engine itself is almost insignificate compared to the force it puts on the transom at WOT, with you standing on the transom it dupliucates a partial throttle load on it, unless you tip the scales at 400-500 lbs, but even then, it should hold you easily and not flex more than 1/4''.

I go 185 and use my engine to get in the boat and my transom moves maybe 1/16''.

You need to be really careful with that because transoms rarely fail alittle bit, they tend to go all at once and under throttle so by the time you know you there is a problem it is too late.

If it is moving that much just by trimming the engine you may have some problems, do the stand test and report back.

 

[oops!]

Re: 1977 Monark McFact 5 - Transom/engine question.

^^^^^^ yep

welcome to iboats !

fully agree with the above post.....

let us know what you see

 

[Burks]

Re: 1977 Monark McFact 5 - Transom/engine question.

Welcome to iboats.

Go out and stand on the the bottom of the outboard and see how much the transom moves, the weight of the engine itself is almost insignificate compared to the force it puts on the transom at WOT, with you standing on the transom it dupliucates a partial throttle load on it, unless you tip the scales at 400-500 lbs, but even then, it should hold you easily and not flex more than 1/4''.

I go 185 and use my engine to get in the boat and my transom moves maybe 1/16''.

You need to be really careful with that because transoms rarely fail alittle bit, they tend to go all at once and under throttle so by the time you know you there is a problem it is too late.

If it is moving that much just by trimming the engine you may have some problems, do the stand test and report back.

Thank you both. I will do so tomorrow after work and see how it goes. Will do my best to get a fairly accurate measurement as well.

 

[NYBo]

Re: 1977 Monark McFact 5 - Transom/engine question.

Welcome to iboats!

An outboard that is too powerful + transom flex = potential disaster. In addition to buying or trading for a proper motor, check the transom very carefully.

 

[Burks]

Re: 1977 Monark McFact 5 - Transom/engine question.

Welcome to iboats!

An outboard that is too powerful + transom flex = potential disaster. In addition to buying or trading for a proper motor, check the transom very carefully.

That was my thought as well. It's an easy fix at least. The nice thing is one of our favorite places to fish is an electric only reservoir, so I could still use the boat even without the motor being attached (provided no holes are opened up obviously). So it wouldn't be a total loss until a new motor was found.

I'll be removing the motor sometime this week to fully inspect the transom more carefully, on top of what was mentioned above. I plan on a winter project with this boat anyways, since my car is to the point of me not having anything else to fix/mod on it.

 

[Burks]

Re: 1977 Monark McFact 5 - Transom/engine question.

Well I did the stand test today. Measured the flex to be right at 0.25". Otherwise the transom seems to be intact. The metal strip is the only thing that bothers me but it does seem as if something heavy was dropped on it before, causing the crack. That area doesn't flex any more or less than the other side. I'm guessing when they were putting the motor back on it may have slipped, landing on the strip.

I didn't have time to take the metal strip off to see if there is any damage underneath, it only covers 1/2" anyways. There are no cracks that I can see.

Think the transom is just "showing its age" more so than being damaged? Even if I had to put in the amount for a transom repair, I wouldn't be too upset at the final cost. May just have an estimate done just for the heck of it.

And if the transom is just showing it's age and not truly damaged, think this boat would be worthy enough to take out? As I said, the max speed limit is only 8mph anyways. I'd just use the motor to get to the other side of the lake, then use the trolling motor for the rest of the day.

Edit: I read up on SeaCast to possibly repair a transom. Sound like this is a good candidate? It seems easy enough to do with the guide I read. I'll go home and do the calculations but it looks like this could be done for <$500. Sound about right? I'm not familiar with fiberglass work but can figure my way around most things. More suited toward the motor/engine repair area of "manly hobbies". Might make a nice winter project for me since I don't fish, hunt, ski, etc during the winter. Could also take my time and not make it a rush job to get her back on the water.

 

[Burks]

Re: 1977 Monark McFact 5 - Transom/engine question.

Bump. Any thoughts?

 

[ezmobee]

Re: 1977 Monark McFact 5 - Transom/engine question.

is this a fiberglass or aluminum boat?

 

[Burks]

Re: 1977 Monark McFact 5 - Transom/engine question.

Fiberglass

 

[ezmobee]

Re: 1977 Monark McFact 5 - Transom/engine question.

Then yes, SeaCast (or the alternatives: Arjay and Nidabond) would be great options.

In my opinion, pourable transoms are ideal for boats that have a rotted transom but are in otherwise great condition. For boats with rotted decks and stringers as well, you've got to tear it all apart anyway so in those cases I think a properly fiberglassed back in wood transom is fine.

 

[Burks]

Re: 1977 Monark McFact 5 - Transom/engine question.

Then yes, SeaCast (or the alternatives: Arjay and Nidabond) would be great options.

In my opinion, pourable transoms are ideal for boats that have a rotted transom but are in otherwise great condition. For boats with rotted decks and stringers as well, you've got to tear it all apart anyway so in those cases I think a properly fiberglassed back in wood transom is fine.

The deck and everything else seems fine. Looks like just the transom is a bit worn.

I'll do more reading on how-to's and start getting things together. From what it looks like I have all the tools and such, just need the SeaCast and time. I'll take photos and maybe do a rebuild thread. That way people can follow and correct my mistakes, because there are bound to be a half dozen or so!

Would make a nice weekend project, and help is only Taco Bell and beer away.

Thanks everyone. Even with the work that needs to be done, I'm in under $2k total on this boat (just purchased new carpet to do as well). Now to go buy an engine hoist to get this lousy 300lb+ motor off! I need one anyways to pull the engine on my SRT4 for this winter's rebuild.