First, I'd like to say I have read thru every single one of the rebuild threads and learned an incredible amount regarding building these boats. Thanks you all for your great pictures and step throughout your builds. My interior is fresh so I need only replace my transom.
I'd like to clear up some of the questions I have that are still lingering for me. Hopefully, in the future it will help others as well. When it is all said and done I would like to create my own "How To: Replace a Transom on a Starcraft SS". Now, I understand the basics of what I need to do, I just wants some advice on how to go about it.
From what I have seen, removing the splashwell is not 100% necessary. It makes things easier to reach but isn't required. My splashwell has seen better days. Overall, it looks fine. But on the starboard side it looks as if it gave into someone standing on it.
Because of this I'd like to remove mine and ideally find a welder to touch things up for me. It that can't happen I'll get some angles and rivet them to the back side and fill in the void with sealant. You can see that it seems the 2 rivets next to the snap failed allowing the whole thing to drop down.
I've got a few spots where it seems the rivets are failing. I'd like to drill them out and replace them. Might as well do them all while it's all out.
Once I remove the motor my plan is to remove the end caps then the cap for the transom. What are these connectors/rivets called? How are they removed? What did you guys use to replace them? They aren't typical rivets. They look the same on both sides.
The PO, noticing the rot, took action. He drilled thru the top cap of the transom and injected some no rot solution. This is another reason I will be pulling the splashwell. I have a feeling this stuff is going to need to be scraped away from the transom face and maybe even sanded down. My plan to fill these holes is after the new transom is built and installed I will stick a piece of foil over the transom, stick the cap on top of that, clamp in place, fill w/ either JB weld or body filler, remove, sand & paint. The foil is purely there to keep it from adhering to the transom wood.
This question I am a little apprehensive about asking. I've seen the answers and know the opinions on it. The plywood plate between the transom face and the motor. I've seen everything from "It's there to protect the transom from scuffing" to "It reduces noise and vibration". They've been replaced with wood, steel, cutting board material, etc. For those of you who have rebuilt the transom on your SS what did you decide to do? Did you eliminate it? If so, was there an increase in noise/vibration?
My drainplug has a smooth bore. I'd like to install one that screws in. Has this been done? Is it a legitimate solution? Why can I not find an assembly for the plate and plug here on iboats? Am I searching for the wrong thing?
Besides the drain plug and splashwell drains, what more needs to be replaced? Did you guys replace all of the nuts/bolts/screws? Obviously, I will need rivets. What size/length of rivets did you purchase?
What is the best way to fill in the holes where the fish finder transponder is? Those holes are the root cause of all of the rot. They were not sealed properly. Obviously, it's ideal to have it welded closed, but what is something I can do myself? I will be installing my own on there as well as a new pitot. The new pitot has the same mounting pattern so I will reuse those holes.
I know I have asked a bunch of questions, but I read all of the build threads and couldn't find those answers specifically. I appreciate any help you guys can give.
Thanks,
Scott
I'd like to clear up some of the questions I have that are still lingering for me. Hopefully, in the future it will help others as well. When it is all said and done I would like to create my own "How To: Replace a Transom on a Starcraft SS". Now, I understand the basics of what I need to do, I just wants some advice on how to go about it.
From what I have seen, removing the splashwell is not 100% necessary. It makes things easier to reach but isn't required. My splashwell has seen better days. Overall, it looks fine. But on the starboard side it looks as if it gave into someone standing on it.
Because of this I'd like to remove mine and ideally find a welder to touch things up for me. It that can't happen I'll get some angles and rivet them to the back side and fill in the void with sealant. You can see that it seems the 2 rivets next to the snap failed allowing the whole thing to drop down.
I've got a few spots where it seems the rivets are failing. I'd like to drill them out and replace them. Might as well do them all while it's all out.
Once I remove the motor my plan is to remove the end caps then the cap for the transom. What are these connectors/rivets called? How are they removed? What did you guys use to replace them? They aren't typical rivets. They look the same on both sides.
The PO, noticing the rot, took action. He drilled thru the top cap of the transom and injected some no rot solution. This is another reason I will be pulling the splashwell. I have a feeling this stuff is going to need to be scraped away from the transom face and maybe even sanded down. My plan to fill these holes is after the new transom is built and installed I will stick a piece of foil over the transom, stick the cap on top of that, clamp in place, fill w/ either JB weld or body filler, remove, sand & paint. The foil is purely there to keep it from adhering to the transom wood.
This question I am a little apprehensive about asking. I've seen the answers and know the opinions on it. The plywood plate between the transom face and the motor. I've seen everything from "It's there to protect the transom from scuffing" to "It reduces noise and vibration". They've been replaced with wood, steel, cutting board material, etc. For those of you who have rebuilt the transom on your SS what did you decide to do? Did you eliminate it? If so, was there an increase in noise/vibration?
My drainplug has a smooth bore. I'd like to install one that screws in. Has this been done? Is it a legitimate solution? Why can I not find an assembly for the plate and plug here on iboats? Am I searching for the wrong thing?
Besides the drain plug and splashwell drains, what more needs to be replaced? Did you guys replace all of the nuts/bolts/screws? Obviously, I will need rivets. What size/length of rivets did you purchase?
What is the best way to fill in the holes where the fish finder transponder is? Those holes are the root cause of all of the rot. They were not sealed properly. Obviously, it's ideal to have it welded closed, but what is something I can do myself? I will be installing my own on there as well as a new pitot. The new pitot has the same mounting pattern so I will reuse those holes.
I know I have asked a bunch of questions, but I read all of the build threads and couldn't find those answers specifically. I appreciate any help you guys can give.
Thanks,
Scott
facepalm: I can see where this comment may go) to get it in. Then I screw it tight again and flip the handle up. Maybe after doing it a few times I'll get the hang of it and it won't be such a hassle. I've only had it out on the water 2 times.
