1st Boat 1967 Larson Please Help

[jmandss]

Hello guys I'm new here and posted this over in the Larson Boats section, but see this section is alot more active so I'll see if you guys can help me out...
My 11year old son and I have been restoring a 14' 1967 Larson All American. We have rewired the control box and put a new floor and seats in her. She has been in the water 2 times since we did all this. She has a Merc 650 65hp O/B and the motor runs great. This past weekend at the lake we noticed that she was taking on water, so I quickly drove her up to the landing to get her out of the water. When we pulled her out, we noticed that she had cracked on the back at her transit just below the mounting bolts. The crack is all the way through. This is the first boat that we have ever owned and we love this little boat and want to try and fix her if it is possible. Can you guys take a look at the pictures posted below and let me know if anything can be done to bring her back to life.
Thanks in advance,
Jay

 

[jmandss]

Re: 1st Boat 1967 Larson Please Help

I now understand that it is called a transom, I did tell you I was new at this right?

 

[i386]

Re: 1st Boat 1967 Larson Please Help

The transom was probably rotten. You probably have wood (rotten) sandwiched between the inner and outer skin. You'll need to replace that wood. Preferable you'll want to remove it from the inside without damaging the outer skin.

It's good that you got her out of the water safely. Some people have had the engine rip completely off the stern in that situation. Good luck getting her back into shape and keep us posted. You can do it.

 

[jmandss]

Re: 1st Boat 1967 Larson Please Help

i386
not sure how I would remove the wood without damaging the skin, not sure I really understand that.

I'm also starting to think that it was the trailering the boat with the motor up that might have done alot of the damage.

Here is the history on this boat: One owner bought it new in 1967 and he is a retired gentleman that is a friend of mine. Lives on lake in South Carolina and has has the boat stored in a boat house with very little trailering over the past 39 years. Boat also sat in a garage for 13 years during a divorce with his 1st wife.

I'll post more pictures of the entire boat..
Thanks,
Jay

 

[danpemby]

Re: 1st Boat 1967 Larson Please Help

Welcome Jm!
There should be some good advice coming along soon. In the mean time take a look at this site, they give some directions on removing the inner skin, etc.

http://transomrepair.com/zk/transom.shtml

 

[jmandss]

Re: 1st Boat 1967 Larson Please Help

Guys here are some more pictures and yes that is the orig. top....

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http://i24.photobucket.com/albums/c3/jmandss/OrigTop.jpg[/img]

 

[jmandss]

Re: 1st Boat 1967 Larson Please Help

Sorry here is the top:

 

[jmandss]

Re: 1st Boat 1967 Larson Please Help

Here are some better pics of the transom...

 

[walk-on]

Re: 1st Boat 1967 Larson Please Help

OMG - I know just how you feel. My transom is rotten too and I can't just get in there and replace it because my splashwell is in the way. I did cut the top of my transom off and start to drill the wet/rotten wood out but then I realized I would not be able to replace the transom properly.

I plan on separating the top and bottom pieces of the boat in order to have full access to the transom. If you remove the rub rail, you'll probably find that there are rivots holding the top and bottom together. I got "lucky and had stainless steel screws holding mine so all I did was remove the screws with a cordless drill. You'll probably want to drill out the rivots (if present) and use stainless steel screws to put it back together.

I knew less than you when I started my repair but I have learned alot because of the help on this forum. I hope the information that I have given is accurate. If not someone please correct and clarify. Good luck!

 

[jmandss]

Re: 1st Boat 1967 Larson Please Help

Well it's getting dark here, but I went out an took a quick picture. I removed the guard and this is what it looks like. It does appear that the boat is 2 pieces, and you could get to the plywood in the transom to drill it out if you removed the top half of the boat. Next question, how in the heck would you lift it off the bottom piece I'm sure there is a little weight involved here. If I get it loose will a couple of friends and I be able to lift it off.
Thanks for the words on encouragement Walk On. We just love this little boat and boy do we get comments on it even in the shape its in now.

 

[NW Redneck]

Re: 1st Boat 1967 Larson Please Help

That is a sweet looking little boat! Is it just me, or does anyone else look at that motor pic and think "Cylon!"
I love the styling of the older outboards. Such character!

As for the top, once free two guys should be able to carry it. You'll probably want 4 to help free it up all the way around to take it off though. 5 might be better, as one could be on the inside checking for hangups etc.

After what you've done so far, I'm sure you will be able to tackle the transom too! And we're allways here to offer support. ( and a hankey. lol) Good luck and get her back on the water!

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: 1st Boat 1967 Larson Please Help

you have a great classic, and i remember them from my younger years. they are great handling boats for crusing and skiing. that little boat will pull up a 200lb man with no difficulty. remove the top section of the hull, and then remove the inside fiberglass from the transom, then the wood, it's dirty, stinks, and will be messy. but you already know the great comments you get on the boat. there is nothing better than to sit at the dock, watch the guys with the big payments grind and crank trying to start theirs, and you hit the key on your classic, and it fires up the first try. i know i have a 1960 14' lonestar fishing boat w/ a 1955 15hp evinrude, that always starts on the 2 nd pull of the rope. they watch you launch and then are amazed when it starts,

 

[willamettejeff]

Re: 1st Boat 1967 Larson Please Help

When I had to rebuild my Larson's transom I made a 2' long chisel out of 2" wide 3/16" thick flat steel stock and just kept pounding it down with a 10lb sledge hammer between the layers of rotten plywood and then between the fiberglass part of the transom and what was left of the wood. Working it back and forth between the layers made short work of getting all the wood out. The plywood in my transom was more soaked through with water than rotten, but still came out fairly easily.

 

[neat]

Re: 1st Boat 1967 Larson Please Help

On my 1961 Larson AA top was glassed to the hull all around.

 

[jmandss]

Re: 1st Boat 1967 Larson Please Help

OK I pulled the rubrail back a bit and it appears that my boat is 2 pieces. It looks like there are just staples holding the 2 pieces together and it is not glassed together. Take a look at the pictures and let me know what you guys think. I'm so glad that I found you guys, I really starting to believe this is something that I can pull off with you guys helping me out. If any of you guys live near Charlotte, NC let me know and maybe you can come over for a beer or two..
Thanks again,
Jay

 

[neat]

Re: 1st Boat 1967 Larson Please Help

Same as mine. Those 2 pieces are glassed together from inside.

 

[jmandss]

Re: 1st Boat 1967 Larson Please Help

Darn... What do I do if they are glasses together to get to the rotten wood in the transom?

 

[neat]

Re: 1st Boat 1967 Larson Please Help

First make sure your is the same way. Just take a look from inside.

 

[jmandss]

Re: 1st Boat 1967 Larson Please Help

Neat

Just looked at your web page on your Larson! Nice boat and looks like you are doing a great job restoring it! Is your webpage up to date, or have you done more to it? Where are you located?
Jay

 

[neat]

Re: 1st Boat 1967 Larson Please Help

I finished sanding the top, getting ready to flip it over and sand the hull. Hoping to spray gelcoat this weekend. Will post some more pictures.

I'm in Phoenix.