Transom Repair

[sergiophil]

Question about replacing my transom. I have my boat at a guys garage and he said it is only where the motor goes thru the back of boat. Is this true? I have a bayliner Capri 1954, he stated that all you have to replace and the sides are just glassed. I want this done right, do I never have to do it again. Or does the transom cover the whole back of boat?

 

[Baylinerchuck]

Guess that depends on how bayliner constructed the transom. The area the sterndrive goes through, (keyhole) should be 2" thick plywood and glass. The wings on either side can be part of this plywood, or separate pieces. You need to replace all rotten wood, that's the important part. If that means just the center since that's rotted, then fine. Be sure if that's all you replace, that the rot hasn't spread further, like the stringers, etc.

 

[Watermann]

He could be right, as some of the Bayliner IO's just have a thick transom piece in the center and thinner wings so to speak on the sides where items are mounted like ladder and eyes. Some pics of the transom area would help and is it a VP or MC?

 

[sergiophil]

No Title

Here are some pictures of the guys work so far. I started the demolition and with time constraints with other obligations, I gave the boat to this guy. He seem knowledgable, but I just want to make sure he is doing it right, so I don't have to redo his work again.

Any help would be great so I can have him do the work the right way.

Also, it is a 3.0 mercruiser. I have replaced valve cover gasket, spark plugs and wires, distributor cab and rotor. Gonna rebuild the carb too, but anything else on the motor need replacement since it is out of the boat? I can work on motors better than I can fiberglass, but next boat project I plan on doing the whole thing myself. Thanks guys for any info and help! Much appreciated.

 

[Watermann]

Looks like there new stringers and motor mount going in too, very good idea since the deck was pulled.

 

[sergiophil]

Ya I did most demolition, and I cut the stringers and the wood inside them just came out in pieces, the previous owner did not take good care of the boat, and did not let it properly dry or cover it from the elements. Just hope the guy is doing it the right way.

 

[Watermann]

I have to ask why aren't you doing all the repair work yourself?

 

[gm280]

Looks like he is looking at everything that could be suspect. So new stringers was a good call. JMHO

 

[sergiophil]

Waterman, I had a few other obligations come up where I am not able to finish the project, also in Wisconsin I do not have a place to store and work on the boat. I did the demolition is fairly warm weather. If I had a decent size building to work and heat I would do the work myself. Ya I cut all the stringers and foam out myself, all he did was cut out the transom and laying in new stringers and laying the floor in. I am going to lay the 4# foam in the floor and finish the top with gel coat.

 

[Watermann]

Ah ok, gotcha. Just wondered since you did all the tough work.

I'm not a glass boat guy but I have a buddy I've been helping that has a similar BL. Looks to me like he knows what he's doing.

 

[sergiophil]

My next boat project if I ever decide to take on one like this, I will do it myself, but start in early fall, where the weather is warmer.

 

[ckirk]

I have a '99 Capri 1954, the left and right sides of the transom are also wood but thinner than the center section where the keyhole is located. I installed a swim platform on the back of the boat and two of the four mounting brackets go through the wood in these sections. If the center transom is wet, I would take a good look at the sides as well.

The transom also is not flat across the back; the left and right sides are at a slight forward angle to the center. I assume this would make them harder to install given there are no holes in the shell it use to clamp the wood to the fiberglass hull. I guess you could drill holes for clamping bolts and then refill and gel-coat one the transom is installed. If you find the sides do need to be replaced I will be interested in how they are installed. Good luck with the re-build; I think these are great boats.

 

[sergiophil]

Thanks ckirk, I plan on building a diy swim platform out of mahogany possible next year, So after you stating that, I would have to presume the left and right sides are probably rotted, but he states that it is only the center part of the transom that is wet and needed replaced. He stated the left and right side of the transom are only glassed, so I am glad you reassured that there is some wood, but not a whole lot.

 

[sergiophil]

No Title

Well got some updates on the boat project. It is coming along nicely. Should have most of it completed this week. Hoping to have the floor installed by end of week, and start gel coating by next week, and have the motor installed, then off to the carpet guy. Here are some pictures of the stringers and transom so far. Coming along nicely, and the fiberglass work well is not a lot of fun that is for sure.