1988 Bayliner Transom Repair

[bass striker]

Ok to be totaly honest I am new to boat ownership/repair. I do know alot about auto restoration and metal fabrication, so I'm willing to give it a go.

I like the layout of the boat with a few modifications ofcoarse. In the near future will be adding a kicker motor for trolling.

Just purchased this boat for a good deal. Motor works well but boat has been seriously neglected. My goal is redeck, carpet, upholster and paint the complete boat from ground zero. Before that the majors needs to be fixed, the transom is weak. It has a step in at the bottom were the drain plugs bilge and airator pickups are along with some gussets glassed in. Under were the batteries sat under the rear deck is some rot.

My first question what would be the best transom fix? Seacast, cuttout of innerskin and wood replacement or composite replacement of old wood core.
How far do I cut since there is the step in and outer sides with the iregularities of the back, does this stay in place or remove that also.

 

[Mark42]

Re: 1988 Bayliner Transom Repair

Welcome to iboats! Hope you've been reading the forums on transom, stringer and deck repairs, because I would not be surprised if you find all three of those area have rot.​

Anyway, seacast is not a good choice for that style transom. It would be better to do a basic plywood transom and install new gussets. That transom is a three panel design, the gussets really add a lot of strength. Repairing is a matter of installing the 3 plywood components with the braces holding it all together.​

Start by cutting some holes in the deck and see if the foam is wet, drill into the stringers from the bilge and see if the wood is wet, and get the motor off the boat. A simple motor stand works good for storing and testing the motor while its off the boat. Do a search on "motor stand" and see the common 2x4 design.​

Never saw a transom with a step in it like that before. What model Bayliner is this?​

 

[bass striker]

Re: 1988 Bayliner Transom Repair

Yes I have been doing alot of reading and research on the forums and otherwise.
I know the deck has a few soft spots so that will be redone. Knocking on the stringers they sound solid but that can be decieving. I fugured once I got the top seperated that would be the best time to investigate those items.

It is a 1988 Bayliner Bass Striker (fish and ski) boat. It has a 125 Force which is in excelent condition, compression and spark are great. Lower gear oil is as good as new as in showing no abnormal wear just need a new impeller. Shifts in and out of gear flawlessly and starts right up. Impeller to be replaced once boat itself is ready for water.

I can rebuild an auto motor or redo body and rust and make it look new.
As in Transom this is a whole new ball game for me.

All your help is duely appreciated.

 

[rucaradio]

Re: 1988 Bayliner Transom Repair

You're in the same situation I was in last fall - got a great deal on a boat, the floor was soft, figured it'd be a simple repair...

We all know what's involved!

I'm pretty mechanically inclined, but like you I have NO fiberglass experience. By reading up you'll get some great advise, but the task still seems daunting.

It really is pretty straightforward. Tear up the floor, get a good grinder with a 36 grit disc, grab a respirator and a tyvek suit and go to town.

The work isn't really hard, but it is time consuming. You'll wonder more than once why you've decided to start such a project. Keep at it and try to enjoy yourself as much as possible.

In addition to reading up on iBoats, I'd suggest picking up a copy of "Runabout Renovation" by Jim Anderson. You can buy it on Amazon, and it's a wealth of information.

-D

 

[bass striker]

Re: 1988 Bayliner Transom Repair

Here is a question. If my transom is currently 1.5 inches thick, would it be better to do 3 layers of 1/2 ply or 2 of 3/4 ply marine grade of course?

 

[chrishayes]

Re: 1988 Bayliner Transom Repair

I have asked the same question and the answer is...6 of one half dozen of the other! just more work if you use more sheets. It is PLY wood so you are already layering smaller panels. It makes sense if you think about it.

 

[Mark42]

Re: 1988 Bayliner Transom Repair

Here is a question. If my transom is currently 1.5 inches thick, would it be better to do 3 layers of 1/2 ply or 2 of 3/4 ply marine grade of course?

Like chrishays said, its pretty much a toss up. It could be a real advantage to applying three 1/2 layers of ply when it is difficult to fit one full piece in and the transom is being built in pieces. That way the first layer could be two pieces with a diagonal seam running left to right(top to bottom), the next could be the same with the seam 180* apart, running right to left, and so on. That might be the ticket to getting the center transom pieces installed without removing the cap, and tucking the pieces up under the motor well.

Otherwise, multiple layers is just going to use more adhesive.

Take note that marine grade plywood is a high quality ply with fewer/smaller voids and more and thinner plies than regular CDX. But it has NO anti-rot treatment. For that, go with pressure treated. In fact, the APA suggests pressure treated ply in boat building. It would be my personal preference to use PT ply for the transom, stringers and decking. Others here dissagree, but the APA has done testing of resin on wet PT ply and it holds very well.

Read about why the APA says:

For BEST performance of plywood in boat manufacturing, APA recommends the use of treated plywood ...

Read all about it here: http://www.glen-l.com/wood-plywood/boatbuilding-plywood.html

 

[bass striker]

Re: 1988 Bayliner Transom Repair

If using PT ply is there different grades if so is there one that would be ideal for this sort of use?

And Thanx for all your help and Knowlege!

 

[orielly]

Re: 1988 Bayliner Transom Repair

I have near the same boat with the transom problem - can anyone tell me how to repair it and whats involved?
Bayliner 1988 capri 20', 125 force outboard. All help is apreciated

 

[Mark42]

Re: 1988 Bayliner Transom Repair

I have near the same boat with the transom problem - can anyone tell me how to repair it and whats involved?
Bayliner 1988 capri 20', 125 force outboard. All help is apreciated

First, Welcome to iboats! You came to the right place for boat repairs and building.

Second, you would really do better to start a new thread about your own boat, rather than tacking your questions on the end of someone else's old thread. Your own thread will get better attention and you will get the info you need faster. Go for it!

And if possible, post pics of your boat, and any problem areas you want to talk about. We love pics here, it really helps us give you better advice.