Starcraft SS Specific Transom Replacement Questions: My Rebuild Project

[sje0123]

Re: Starcraft SS Specific Transom Replacement Questions: My Rebuild Project

Well, truthfully I was just planning on scuffing up the old paint, spraying primer over it since there are some spots of missing paint, and painting the thing. I'm not going to win any boat shows. I just want something a little prettier than what I have now. Who knows? I may decide just to paint the transom while the motor is off and leave the rest for a bored weekend. At this point the boat has character.

 

[CheapboatKev]

Re: Starcraft SS Specific Transom Replacement Questions: My Rebuild Project

Well, truthfully I was just planning on scuffing up the old paint, spraying primer over it since there are some spots of missing paint, and painting the thing. I'm not going to win any boat shows. I just want something a little prettier than what I have now. Who knows? I may decide just to paint the transom while the motor is off and leave the rest for a bored weekend. At this point the boat has character.

We have friends here that have gone all the way and even built paint booths to spray their tubs.
Some have stripped completly to bare metal, others like me had decent paint, just old with no bare metal. (top pic)
I scuffed the old paint, wiped it down and painted with rustoleum.
See for yourself, not perfect or show quality but see for yourself.
Like anything with these boats, you can do as much or as little to them

 

[CheapboatKev]

Re: Starcraft SS Specific Transom Replacement Questions: My Rebuild Project

Who in the what now?

xplain?

My advice is sound...errrr unless somebody will tell me different?

 

[ezmobee]

Re: Starcraft SS Specific Transom Replacement Questions: My Rebuild Project

xplain?

My advice is sound...errrr unless somebody will tell me different?

I didn't prime and my paint fell off. Yours didn't. Luck? Higher curing temp when painting (you painted yours when it like a zillion degrees out as I recall)? Don't know, but I still think he shouldn't skip the priming step. If it was me, I'd thoroughly scuff up the factory paint, hit it with Rustoleum Clean Metal Primer followed by Rustoleum top coat.

 

[CheapboatKev]

Re: Starcraft SS Specific Transom Replacement Questions: My Rebuild Project

I didn't prime and my paint fell off. Yours didn't. Luck? Higher curing temp when painting (you painted yours when it like a zillion degrees out as I recall)? Don't know, but I still think he shouldn't skip the priming step. If it was me, I'd thoroughly scuff up the factory paint, hit it with Rustoleum Clean Metal Primer followed by Rustoleum top coat.

Ya, it was close to a zillion degrees..
See that is a much more helpful conversation for the OP

 

[CheapboatKev]

Re: Starcraft SS Specific Transom Replacement Questions: My Rebuild Project

Also...
It may have something to do with the rustoleum vs your paint?
Or like you say..LUCK (about the only I had with this tub..lol)

 

[sje0123]

Re: Starcraft SS Specific Transom Replacement Questions: My Rebuild Project

Regarding Rivets...

I can find Aluminum rivets but they all seem to have a steel core. Is this correct? Will I need to fill them w/ sealer to protect the steel from corrosion?

 

[ezmobee]

Re: Starcraft SS Specific Transom Replacement Questions: My Rebuild Project

You need to find ones with aluminum or at least stainless mandrels.

 

[paparoof]

Re: Starcraft SS Specific Transom Replacement Questions: My Rebuild Project

Regarding Rivets...

I can find Aluminum rivets but they all seem to have a steel core. Is this correct? Will I need to fill them w/ sealer to protect the steel from corrosion?

McMaster-Carr baby. They don't allow direct linking to products so you gotta click through yourself but they have it all. I got aluminum blind rivets with aluminum mandrels. Less than 10 bucks for a box of 100.

 

[sje0123]

Re: Starcraft SS Specific Transom Replacement Questions: My Rebuild Project

Gotcha. I found them on McMaster-Carr. Thanks.

Getting closer to gathering all I need. I'm planning on 4 days of work for it (Over estimating just in case). I'd like to get out fishing a bit more this year so I am hoping to get it done and back together ASAP.

I've got an engine hoist lined up. Debating whether or not I will need the lift ring. I'm thinking it's the easiest/safest solution. At $40 for the ring, an accident could be much more costly.

I might hold off on the splash well for the time being. That can be removed w/o removing the transom again correct? I'm thinking from memory but I'd imagine the end caps would have to come off but thats about it.

 

[sje0123]

Re: Starcraft SS Specific Transom Replacement Questions: My Rebuild Project

Finally got started yesterday. Pulled the motor, drilled the end caps off, pulled nails from cap, pulled cap, removed most screws and all bolts.

The PO redecked the boat by putting new wood over the old. From what I can see in the bilge access there look to be screws at the base of the transom board running along the bottom. The new deck sits above where I can access them. Do they go all the way across? If so, I guess I'll be grinding the new deck from the stern a few inches fore to gain access to those screws.

The rot was much worse than I had thought. The starboard top corner is toast. It all flaked out when I opened it up. The bow eyes pretty much have no nuts. They are just thin pieces of rounded rust. I'll have to be grinding those off and replacing them.

 

[ezmobee]

Re: Starcraft SS Specific Transom Replacement Questions: My Rebuild Project

Yes the screws go all the way across.

Hey sje, are you on Facebook? If you are, make sure you join the "Upper Chesapeake Bay Boaters" group. We need more TIN on there!!!

 

[sje0123]

Re: Starcraft SS Specific Transom Replacement Questions: My Rebuild Project

ah bummer. I'll try crawling in there with my grinder to get the wood out but looks like I'll be removing the splashwell unless I can come up with another way to get that wood out of there.

I'll join the group to rep the tinnies

 

[sje0123]

Re: Starcraft SS Specific Transom Replacement Questions: My Rebuild Project

Got lots more done today. The whole splash well is out. I have to take fix the rear beam that sit in front of it. It's been loose since I bought it so what better time then now?

I found out some good news. I had thought the PO used PT Plywood to redeck the floor. Turns out its Marine grade plywood. Very happy about that. I cut the last 6" or so of the floor out of the boat. I dont see this being an issue as 1.) I can't walk back there and 2.) the carpet will flip over it and nobody will ever see it.

I have come up with yet more mini projects to add while I have the splash well off. Going to reconfig the battery and make room for a second. I will also make a piece to mount a bus bar to org my wiring a little better.

The transom board itself has proven to be a PITA to get out though. That bugger won't budge. Tomorrow I am going to give it a few more tries then just screw an eye bolt down into it and lift it out with the engine hoist.

 

[ezmobee]

Re: Starcraft SS Specific Transom Replacement Questions: My Rebuild Project

sje, what you need to do to "pop" the transom out is to pry up on it from the inside with a 2x4. Pry up under one of the ends. I tried everything to get mine out and that's what finally did it.

 

[sje0123]

Re: Starcraft SS Specific Transom Replacement Questions: My Rebuild Project

I got it free. I threaded 2 bolts part way into two of the holes in the transom and hooked a chain to them and then to the engine hoist. That bad boy was in there. It lifted the whole boat and trailer. I got in the boat and jumped and it popped free.

Went to Lowes and found the Arauco plywood. I'll say I am very impressed with that stuff. I checked the edges on all my cuts and have yet to find a void. I managed to get a piece where I can cut the whole transom and not have any visible knots on either side of the board. Of course there may be some internally, but as I said I haven't found a void yet.

Originally, I was going to try and cut the transom to be one full sheet but I ended up making like the original where it has the big piece on the bottom then the two corners separate. I also drilled and replaced all of the rivets holding the bottom transom bracket as all but 2 were broken. I also had a loose rivet on the knee brace.

Tomorrow I plan on cutting the rest of the boards and gluing them together. The epoxy is sufficient to connect them correct? I have some stainless screws. Should I sink a few in to keep it all together until the epoxy sets then just seal them in when I coat the boards?

Did you remove your splash well when you did yours? What did you use to seal the splash well to the transom? Butyl tape or just 5200?

Next weekend (depending on weather and temps) I may start the painting process. Drop boat off trailer, sand, primer (if warm enough).

BTW I didn't find the "Upper Chesapeake" group. Do you have a link?

 

[sje0123]

Re: Starcraft SS Specific Transom Replacement Questions: My Rebuild Project

Here are some pics.

The rot:

The transom cap:
It's broken up pretty bad but That part sits under the motor so it cannot be seen. The whole cap is in horrible shape from the PO drilling into it to inject stuff to stop the rot. That's going to be a bit of a project rehabbing that thing.

Replaced Rivets:

New board cut:

 

[ezmobee]

Re: Starcraft SS Specific Transom Replacement Questions: My Rebuild Project

The epoxy should be plenty of adhesive. Clamp it well. 5200 was what I used to seal it to the splashwell and it's working well. I also only used 5200 to reattach that cap. I didn't want all those extra fasteners going into my new wood. I did not remove the splashwell on either of the Starcraft transoms I did. One other thing, that piece of wood on the outside that the motor bolts through? Ditch it. It serves no real purpose other than to eventually compress and rot and leak through the fasteners. I eliminated it from both the SCs I've done with no ill effects. No newer tin boats have them.

Upper Chesapeake Recreational Boaters http://www.facebook.com/groups/chesapeakeboating/

Mine is hitched up and ready to go for its final voyage of 2011. Going to run around Conowingo for a bit to use up the rest of my pre-mix before I put it away for the winter.

 

[sje0123]

Re: Starcraft SS Specific Transom Replacement Questions: My Rebuild Project

More progress. Got all the new boards cut and test fitted.

They are currently in the shed clamped and setting w/ the heater rolling.

I took 2x4's and some 4" screws and made some makeshift clamps.

I noticed my knee brace has some fatigue showing. There are cracks in the corners and in the underside they run all the way to the top. I grabbed some aluminum angle iron and fabbed up a bracket and riveted them on.

Crack:

You can see it on the bottom. Plus one of the holes has corroded out.

The fix:

Looks much better. You can also see the way I mounted my bilge pump.

Tomorrow will be another day after I get home from work. Need to drill the holes in the transom, seal the boards and let that set for another day. I hope I have enough epoxy resin left. We will have to see. Also have a lot of work to do on the splash well with cleaning it up and drilling out all of the rivets. If it was for waiting for the resin to set I'd be done tomorrow.

 

[bunker108]

You are doings great job! I need to tackle my transom at some point in the future too. I am going to use that knee brace patch too. Keep it up and keep the pics coming.