1996 starcraft "1709 fish and ski" transom to do or not to do??

[69starcraft]

i just picked up a 1996 starcraft 1709 fish and ski. believe its 17ft.
Has a 1996 Mariner 90hp with tilt and trim, motor looks new but will need a carb clean from sitting 1 1/2 years.

Boat was parked under a tree (WHY DO PEOPLE DO THIS??) uncovered of course....

so the floor has soft spots, and pushed down on the motor and the transom is not good.....looked closer and found it seems the PO installed maybe a differnt motor, but DID NOT seal the holes....


So, transom appears solid, except where the motor hangs.....looked inside and can see basically a large circle of rot.

Heres my issue.....i've been around the block, i know what to look for and i HAVE replaced a transom before. however this boat has a funny shape to it. there are two peices that jut out, and the motor hangs closer in.....so accessing it looks impossible.

However the stringers and hull are fabulous....boat is in good shape overall....but transom shape makes this a quandry

I am leaning toward stripping it, keeping trailer, selling motor. but thought i would query here first.....I wonder about seacast. there is a thread i found here with pics of a seacasted transom, and the shape in the rear is the same pickle i face

I will try and get pics, but am on the crappy little laptop at work and boat is at home

 

[69starcraft]

Re: 1996 starcraft "1709 fish and ski" transom to do or not to do??

Hmm, i seem to have forgot to mention i got the whole kit and kaboodle with titles for only $500 clams

I figure the running mariner 90 with tilt/trim and controls is worth about 900 at least...

 

[Woodonglass]

Re: 1996 starcraft "1709 fish and ski" transom to do or not to do??

I say, it ALL depends on IF you like the boat enuf to put the Money, Time and Effort into making it RIGHT! If not, Part it out, keep the motor and find another hull to hang it on.