Concerned about my transom, need some help....
 

The transom on my 1969 20SF is showing its age. First the stringer detached from the transom (previous owner did a shoddy repair job which didn't work). Then I noticed a 1-2" crack on top of the transom in the splashwell, which I drilled out & filled but the filler is now cracking. Now I have a 3" crack developing on the inside of the transom in the splashwell. I'm scared now.

First, I need some professional eyes to take a look at my transom, can anyone recomend a good surveyor around cape cod?

Second, if the transom needs full replacement, what would be the cost for materials for myself to rebuild the transom?

What this boils down to is I need to figure out whether the cost in materials & time will be greater than what I can spend. I may or may not have a place to do the work, which could be the deciding factor.

Its my first season with the boat but I really like her! The 98 Mariner runs great and the trailer is in great shape. I have been following the various threads on this site and they are very inspirational!

Thanks!

Re: Concerned about my transom, need some help....
 

Owning a SeaCraft is kind of like Marriage with out a ring or kiss “for better or worse, for richer or poorer, in sickness and in health, to death do we part”

Don’t give up on her just because she needs a butt lift.

You just need 2 sheets of marine plywood, 3 or so gal. of Epoxy, and some fiberglass
Should take you approx 40 hrs of work and approx $750 to $1,000.

To divorce her and find a new girl would cost lots more than that. Plus if you stay with her through the tuff times you can ride her and enjoy her till death do you part.

SeaCrafts are good girl and will never let you down.

There are at least 100 transom projects posted on this sight you can pull all the info you need by doing a search.

Good Luck

FellowShip

………………………….

Just for the Grins :D :D :D

Official 23’ SF Antique Classic SeaCraft Owner

Re: Concerned about my transom, need some help....
 

With a few more $100 bills you can make your motor a 25inch if you choose to raise your new transom.

Re: Concerned about my transom, need some help....
 

I think pretty much everyone would recommend doing this as well. If you are going to go through the work of replacing the transom, make sure to raise it 5". I don't want to know what mine would be like without it raised :eek:

Re: Concerned about my transom, need some help....
 

Fellow-ship, love my boat and $1000 to rebuild transom is livable. The bigger problem is finding a place to do this and remove my motor. The other issue I once I take the transom off, I know im goina wanna redo the rear seats of the boat, then move the console forward and put a bigger tank in the floor, and redo the deck.

Hermit, I would LOVE to raise my transom, its too low and the boats stern heavy which means water loves to come in through the splashwell and scupper. Raising the transom would require a new, longer lower unit on my motor, no? Would this be difficult to get for a 98 Mariner?

Re: Concerned about my transom, need some help....
 

Hi Mitchman:

Well now you are talking about a total re do of the boat. That’s a lot more time, more money, and lot’s of beer to sooth the pain.
If your deck does not have soft spots I would first do the transom raise it up to 25”, do the motor and after you got that done ask your self should I go on or should I go fishing and target the deck at another time when I have a better place to work out of.

As for a location to do the work I did my boat on my driveway during the weekends and put it up each night. All you really need if a field, yard or driveway you could even use a generator for electric in a pinch or a air compressor with air tools.
I worked for approx 6 hrs a day I found out that that’s all the FUN I could handle in any one day. Beer helped a lot to keep my morale up.

FellowShip

………………………….

Just for the Grins :D :D

Official 23’ SF Antique Classic SeaCraft Owner

Re: Concerned about my transom, need some help....
 

mitchman......I'm probably like everyone else on here....where do you live....there's probably someone close that can help u remove the engine and drink beer with u! I've got an engine hoist (cherry picker) that can be borrowed for the removal if you are anywhere close by??
Have you thought about replacing the transom and adding an engine bracket......Hermco, Gil or something along those lines? You could probably get a 'lil money outta your Mariner and find a decent 25" shaft motor for the same money or close to it? Good Luck

Re: Concerned about my transom, need some help....
 

In a word, NO! Just get an extension kit. PM Fred Held, who did it on his 130 Merc V-6 a couple years ago. If you can change a water pump, you should be able to install an installation kit.

Re: Concerned about my transom, need some help....
 

Sounds like an advertisement, lol. Accurate too. Well put.

Re: Concerned about my transom, need some help....
 

Good to hear. I never changed a water pump, but its about time I did! I will have to shoot him a PM. My deck is good, Im just worried what removing the transom may uncover....

Bracket would be nice, but don't want to spend the coin on one.

Re: Concerned about my transom, need some help....
 

A friend of mine just bought a bracket off some builder on e-bay for 800.00 delivered.its unfinished so once he sets it up on his boat IE Drilling etc. he is gonna have it powdercoated to match his blue hull.Keep in mind....that mount was for his Twin 150's.definately less fo a single motor aplication.Keep the boat...the work will be food for the soul,I just finished mine and there's not a day that goes by that I am not daydreaming about shooting to the Channel islands for some fishing and relaxation on my SF18, I would not trade her for the world...well except maybe to move to a Master Angler.Good luck and keep us posted and we will do our best to offer as much support as we can.

Re: Concerned about my transom, need some help....
 

Thanks for all the input. An update. I haven't been able to do anything as far as getting her checked out yet since I have been traveling this whole month for work & commitments and won't have any time till after the 20th. I did have a buddy look at the transom and he thinks its solid for now, however, Im still goina have her checked out.

I think my plan of attack for now is to repair the separation in the stringer/transom with some fiberglass matte. Here is a photo. Any recommendations on the materials and procedures to make the repair? I have been following most of the rebuild threads in this forum and have a pretty good idea...

http://lh4.ggpht.com/_iEyc1B99KzE/S7...0/P3210722.JPG

Re: Concerned about my transom, need some help....
 

that does not look too good to me. i am no expert by any means but it looks like that stringer is completly seperaed from the transom.

Re: Concerned about my transom, need some help....
 

5200 is amazing, but it has its limits!

Re: Concerned about my transom, need some help....
 

....yea that 5200 repair job is courtesy of a previous owner.

Re: Concerned about my transom, need some help....
 

Looks like a job for HERMCO!!