I would never go to all the trouble of redoing a transom without at least raising it to 25" because it's so easy to do right now, and you'll be kicking yourself later if you don't! The 20' hull is pretty susceptible for getting swamped by a big wave with the 20" transom . . . there is a reason they went to 25" and full height splashwells on the later models!

And rather than spend $500 on an extension kit for a 1990 vintage motor, you might be better off just putting that $ towards a 25" motor, and with a little luck maybe you could pick up a later model fresh water motor. Both Big Shrimpin and Egg-dog seem to have a lot of knowledge and contacts on Merc's - I'll bet they could help fix you up!

"Egg-dog".......good one Denny. I'm betting Egg-dog was heavy into the Egg Nog this Christmas!

Ditto on the 25" shaft/transom, it's a NO brainer didcussed many, many times on this forum.

http://i1326.photobucket.com/albums/...ps55408676.jpg

http://i1326.photobucket.com/albums/...ps4eb3a3ae.jpg

Console showing some progress. Almost ready for gel coat or paint...see my other post

Well, I got my template cut for the transom today and also put the first coat of primer on the console.

http://i1326.photobucket.com/albums/...ps662d3a65.jpg

http://i1326.photobucket.com/albums/...psd05eb888.jpg

I decided to just go with paint for the console vice gel coat, only because I have more experience with paint than gel coat.

What's that "White Stuff" on the ground , spilled gelcoat :confused::eek:

It's weird, sometimes frozen water falls from the sky up north here. It's a wicked P.I.T.A.

Even more so inland! I have a foot of that stuff all around!

I finished the console and decided to put a few Christmas presents on it. Came out alight I think. Not perfect by any means but definitely fishable.

http://i1326.photobucket.com/albums/...ps98a42575.jpg

Alright guys...how much paper thin dry old transom is allowable before starting the new transom??? I have been hand sanding the lip I have on the transom for two nights now. I am trying to get some tool that will work for this but everyday I can't find one means more hand sanding. I know what kind of tool I need but can't find any one at work who has something close. I don't want to buy a new tool if what I have done to date will suffice. Again I have paper thin wood in spots, others are down to bare glass. What wood is left is dry and very minimal. Please tell me I can stop sanding and start building.

If you are using epoxy it will stick to anything and is a lot more forgiving then polyester. I would say start glassing! :)

strick