Is my transom a goner?

[Lootas1]

Trying to restore 1961 Larson Sea Lion cruiser. Found rotten plywood in cabin under fiberglass. (Thot glass kept water out?) Anyway, that got me concerned for condition of transom. I drilled a couple small holes in glass about 2 inches up and wood was wet but yellow -- about a cup of water came out one hole. Transported boat with 115 horse outboard on back for many miles but am wondering, should I give up on boat or rip out transom and replace or, hopefully, just go boating?
Jerry

 

[lilmandavis]

Re: Is my transom a goner?

can you stand on the outboard's lower unit with it trimmed up and out of the water?....safely!

 

[sport15]

Re: Is my transom a goner?

Jerry,
If you like the boat it is worth fixing. You will end up cutting out the transom core and replacing it. All the rot should go. There was a good write up in Boatbuilder magazine about three issues ago about transom repair, it is not hard, just a lot of work that isn't really that glamerous. Find the extent of the rot, go past it to good wood, cut all the bad stuff out. This can be done from outside or inside the hull depending on your access. When you put stuff back in you can laminate in ply and glass and make it all stronger than new.. It will be a lot of grinding, fitting and elbow grease if you like the boat and want to keep it it will be worth it however it will not increase the value..
Regards, Dave

 

[Lootas1]

Re: Is my transom a goner?

I learned long ago to listen to CPOs but stand on the lower unit? I have trouble standing on the floor. Are you saying if the boat can carry the motor and another 200 pounds out on the end of the motor, the transom is probably okay? Also appreciate Dave's input. I do want to keep the boat. Never saw another like it anywhere (even on Larson collector pages). Went to a professional shop yesterday and was told to drain the water well and plug the holes and forget about it. Said the fact the transom appears sound and the wood doesn't show sign of rot, it should be okay. Now that's the kind of advice I like! Of course, he isn't planning to ride in my boat in about a 4 foot sea!

 

[sport15]

Re: Is my transom a goner?

Throw a picture up Cap so we can see what you have.. If the shop says that it is OK and you have doubts, get a second opinion. Last I knew the water over your way is not really warm enough to go for an unplanned swim, and the USCG and DEP are kind of fussy about dropping engines over the side!

Dave

 

[Lootas1]

Re: Is my transom a goner?

Throw a picture up Cap so we can see what you have.. If the shop says that it is OK and you have doubts, get a second opinion. Last I knew the water over your way is not really warm enough to go for an unplanned swim, and the USCG and DEP are kind of fussy about dropping engines over the side!

Dave

 

[Lootas1]

Re: Is my transom a goner?

Thanks, Dave,
Right about water temp here and I don't want to drop an engine over. I'd like to send a pic but I don't see how to do it. I'm old and only slightly computer savy. And, if I could send a pic, what would you want to see? The pretty pink cruiser or the transom leaking water? I feel pretty okay about the answer the boat repair guy gave me as the transom feels real solid.
Jerry