1989 Sea Ray 180 transom replacement question

[britisher]

Hi there,
This is my first post on my first boat, so be gentle. Just bought the above bowrider. My boat store removed the motor and told me the transom was rotten. To keep costs down I said I would do the laboring and remove the rotten wood myself. I did that yesterday and noticed that the main full width transom (there are two, the top one is 24" X 24" in the center), appears to disappear down behind. a sealed panel on either side. There is about 1" of space there so is impossible to dig out the rotten timber. I also noticed what appears to be wet foam. My question is can I saw across this panel to give me more space to dig out the rest of the transom. Also what is the best way of getting to this wet foam?
I noticed I have some rot on the floor, so no doubt be back with more questions.
Thanks
Chris

 

[Woodonglass]

Re: 1989 Sea Ray 180 transom replacement question

Welcome to iBoats!

You really need to post some pics of your boat and the problem areas. This will give all of us a better opportunity to help you.

 

[orangeman]

Re: 1989 Sea Ray 180 transom replacement question

The sealed panel on either side are simply wood boxes with floatation foam in them. I think you will probably need to cut out and rebuild the boxes. Did you remove the cap?

 

[britisher]

Re: 1989 Sea Ray 180 transom replacement question

First of all I posted a reply with pics, but clearly didn't appear. Have no clue where. I am a member fo other types of forums and am reasonably conversant with posting, etc, but posts going into black holes is a new one on me!
To Orangeman... I am new to boating so may not be as conversant with technical terms as others. If you mean by 'cap' the top molding of the boat, the answer is No.
It appears that it is the floor which has the foam beneath it and to complete the removal of the remaining transom mush, I have to saw out the rotten remaining wood. I have pulled the carpets, etc and it's clear the boat has completely rotten stringers and needs a whole new floor on top as well.
I wanted to buy a boat to sail in the water, not spend my weekends for the foreseeable future surrounded by wood and fiberglass dust and tools in hand. I am currently reviewing the logic of my purchase and my simply flip it on Craig's list as a project boat and spend a little more on something water ready.
I looked today at a 99 Stingray 180sr that I may be lucky on with price and I also have a 94 Crownline 19ft BR that needs a marriage of an engine to the boat. I have sourced a good 96 Merc 4.3 V6 that will fit in no probs.
I will keep folks posted on my progress, Black holes permitting!

 

[ShellBack89]

Re: 1989 Sea Ray 180 transom replacement question

Try photobucket.com and once the pictures are uploaded there drag the IMG tag over to the text box on your iboats screen. Hope that helps.

 

[britisher]

Re: 1989 Sea Ray 180 transom replacement question

Well I've just been through the 'should I flip the boat and move on or get stuck'. After a fruitless advert on Craig's list, I resolved to stick with the original program and re-do the floor, stringers and transom. I've been busy clearing out stuff that needs to be cleared off the deck and this weekend I aim to start with the deconstruction. That said I did remove the transom 2 weeks ago, so it's just the floor now.
My question now is what material should I use to put the stringers and floor in with?
I recall seeing posts on the merits of polyester vs epoxy and the more vocal seemed to advocate more toward epoxy. Yet having read and re-rad friscoboater's awesome re-floor of his Sea Ray he begins by saying he's using poly as per how the boat was originally built.
I am new to boating and my first boat, so I want to get this right first time.
Is it Polyester OR Epoxy??

 

[tinkeringwackyone]

Re: 1989 Sea Ray 180 transom replacement question

Check my thread, I did a 1987 Searay. I would go with Poly and 1708 biax cloth. I used Epoxy, stronger but 2x the price. If I were to do it again it would be Poly and use a good grade exterior Plywood. Don't use treated plywood, seal it well before installing and it will last a long time.

good luck

Sail on.....tink

 

[Woodonglass]

Re: 1989 Sea Ray 180 transom replacement question

I'd recommend poly. Check the links in my signature below for some good details.

 

[britisher]

Re: 1989 Sea Ray 180 transom replacement question

Thanks for the feedback. The only issue I'm finding with poly resin is that it is considered hazardous and hence there is a limit of 5 gallons for UPS plus most suppliers charge about $50.00 'danger money' for shipping it. I would have to do the math, but the danger money could tip it in the favor of epoxy. However, I live near Orlando, FL so am going to try and find somewhere local that i can buy the poly resin and transport the stuff myself. I always prefer to put money in my pocket, not someone else's.
It's demolition day tomorrow on the floor!!!

 

[oops!]

Re: 1989 Sea Ray 180 transom replacement question

hi.....a couple of things....first of all..

two more posts and you and put up pictures...
i would suggest to do a bump or reply to a different threap so you can post pics...

it is a built in anti spam protection on iboats forum.

second....you live in florida...poly resin and mekp are sold on just about every corner.
look in your phone book under plastics...of fiberglass or boat repair.

it is your choice what you use, poly or epoxy.
the poly even delivered will still cost less than the epoxy.....and the epoxy will not gain you anything in this particular application.
for the most part.....the public has been duped into thinking epoxy is the go to product for boat building.
epoxy is the correct product for building wooden boats. not production fiberglass boats

 

[rickryder]

Re: 1989 Sea Ray 180 transom replacement question

US Composites is in Fla.

 

[britisher]

Re: 1989 Sea Ray 180 transom replacement question

Well guys, here are some pics of the work so far. Nothing amazing, but I feel I'm making progress. With the rotten stuff removed, it is beginning to look cleaner and can only get better.

 

[ShellBack89]

Re: 1989 Sea Ray 180 transom replacement question

Brit

Nice job. Looks like my boat last weekend! Soon the fun will begin of grinding.....Make sure you have a Tyvex suit, good respirator and I was given great info on putting baby powered on my arms which will reduce the itch even more. Good luck and I'm looking forward to keeping an eye on your progress.

 

[93bayliner1800]

Re: 1989 Sea Ray 180 transom replacement question

The hardest part I have found is just sticking with it....i take breaks often and then will just cut, pull, and remove for 20 to 30 mins then take another break! I am rebuilding by 93 Bayliner right now and I am almost ready to start grinding!! YAY!!!! NOT! lol looking good so far just keep on keeping on. FYI....I will definitely be using poly.

 

[rickryder]

Re: 1989 Sea Ray 180 transom replacement question

Lookin good Brit! How do your engine mounts look?

 

[britisher]

Re: 1989 Sea Ray 180 transom replacement question

At first glance the mounts look fine, however my boat man guy who took the engine out said one looked like it was sinking a little on the top. When I stuck my fingers underneath and around one of the holes, what fell out can only be described as dust. The mount was rotting too. So like Friscoboater I too will be constructing new motor mounts.
I won't start the grinding until I remove the crap from the bow end of the boat. Bigger pieces of wood and less room to move around in. Ah well. Have got most of the items to do the Darth Vader look alike contest, just need to pick up the tyvek suits from my Sherwin Williams store. They are like $7.00 each. I bought most of my tools and tool consumables from Harbor Freight. The reciprocating saw I got for about $20.00 with coupons and was worth its weight in gold this week end. I also picked up a 4?" grinder from there and all the flapper wheels, cutting disks, grinding wheels, jog saw, etc, etc. I think I spent like $100.00 so far on tooling stuff.
Here in Florida we have the opposite of snow, it's been late 80's this weekend and I put up my 10 x 10 pop up canopy with a box fan in the bow. Boy did it cool it down. I live in an HOA controlled area, so my boat is tucked around the back of the house out of site. I have to keep fingers crossed my neighbors don't rat me out. Then the 'Deed Police' as I call them swing by, take pics and issue a citation to remove!!

 

[Fordiesel69]

Re: 1989 Sea Ray 180 transom replacement question

Interesting read so far. What is an HOA controlled area?

 

[Woodonglass]

Re: 1989 Sea Ray 180 transom replacement question

Interesting read so far. What is an HOA controlled area?

Home Owners Association

 

[Woodonglass]

Re: 1989 Sea Ray 180 transom replacement question

I also picked up a 4?" grinder from there and all the flapper

I find that the HF rubber back up pad and resin coated sanding discs work lots better than the flapper wheels...

 

[iCam]

Re: 1989 Sea Ray 180 transom replacement question

Interesting read so far. What is an HOA controlled area?

Home Owners Association.
All it is, is an easy way for the jealous masses to make you hide your pride and joy.