Transom is mush

[Solomonsb]

Hey guys, I was reading another post on here yesterday about transom replacement and decided to check the boat I just bought and MUSH, BOOO! Then I remembered the comment about if the transom is bad the floor is probably not much better... Anyway I will be reading this forum a lot and was wondering how much time I should expect to dedicate to this. Its a 17' Wellcraft center console. I know it all depends but if I do it up and replace everything and do it right, are we talking 50 hours, 100, more? Thanks

 

[ondarvr]

Re: Transom is mush

As a first time project it may take a couple of hundred hours to do it all. Plus there will down time because you won't be able to get more, or different supplies when you need them, and there will be more posts with questions that need to be answered. Start poking around and see how bad it really is, if your lucky, maybe its not that bad.

 

[douglloyd]

Re: Transom is mush

Oh my is it a 180 fisherman? What year I might have one too!

 

[Solomonsb]

Re: Transom is mush

1974 center console. I am contacting Wellcraft today to find out if they used wood stringers. Lets hope not!

 

[Solomonsb]

Re: Transom is mush

Update: I took the transom off and the stringers werent good but the fiberglass around them was so thick I just dont think it will be a problem. This transom will have taken me about 30 hours and less than $200. I cut both sides out and am cutting a two pieces to fit and will glass them in place then paint. Cheap, fast and much easier than I thought.

 

[epresutti]

Re: Transom is mush

Solomonsb,<br /><br />If the stringers we bad, were they water soaked? if so you may be carrying a lot of extra weight.<br /><br />Keep an eye out for stress cracks in the middle of the boat. They may radiate up from the keel to the gunnel, you will see them as small cracks in the gelcoat perpendicular to the keel. If the bow is suspended for any reason (trailered and not resting on the tongue roller, planing with weight in the bow) and there is some "bouncing" going on, you can get cracks in the hull from weak stringers. Here in the gulf when you start hitting some of the rollers the bow can get slammed pretty hard. <br /><br />During my re-build this was the case (stress cracks amidship), so keep an eye out. Please keep in mind the stringers are a structural component of the boat.<br /><br />Peace.<br /><br />emp.

 

[Solomonsb]

Re: Transom is mush

Yea they were wet on the end. One I could stab an ice pick through. I know the water "wicks" through the wood and the foam is probably soaked and adding weight but there was so much glass mat over the stringers, I think it will last at least my lifetime.