" The first cut is the deepest."
 

After removing all hardware and transom boxes and going to my local SeaCraft guru (FAS) for some reassuring motivation I dug in armed with a skill saw, Sawsall, hammer, 2 wonder bars,size extra extra large screw driver, and all the appropriate safety gear. It was hot as hell but I got a lot done. Tomorrow I attack all the rot thats behind the edges I left. Most important info. I got from FAS was You can always make the cut bigger, you can't make it smaller, so thats why 4" edges all the way around. More to follow.

there you go! you're on your way....make a bunch of saw cuts and keep chiseling.leave a huge cut around that vin number,and put it aside,safely.

I've seen that "wonderful" visual before, brings back fond memories. Don't you just love the smell of rotten marine plywood first thing in the morning?

Best advice of the Day!!! "Save the HIN" ! My recently purchased 77 Seafari did not replace the HIN and registering here in South Carolina with a Florida title, DNR wanted a photo of it. Well it's not there. She wanted to reassign a new HIN to the hull. When I explained to her "That would be like reassigning a VIN to a vintage Ferrari, depreciating the resale value to that of a Yugo." It registered, and shortly thereafter was registered in SC. Valuable lesson.

Part II

Yeah, I had a feeling it was important to save it. So far it's still in tact on the boat. Maybe we can work around it but probably have to cut it out and install on the new transom.

work continues.
 

OK So the boat has been moved to Hampton Shipyard for the glasswork to begin on the transom of my 23' cc. We dismantled a little bit more of the rub rail and wiring and control cables ,pumps etc moving them further forward and out of the way. Freddy enlarged the cut out and cut out the loose inner wall of fiberglass that really wasn't attached to the motor well or the hull too well.

Day 1 continued.
 

The more we cut the more we could see. These are shots looking forward under the deck port and starboard. Note the blob of foam next to the stringer just out there not contained at all. also note the 4x4 Port glassed ,starboard not that house the vertical scuppers. Now both are glassed.

Day 2
 

In these pictures i'm showing all the wood that we're encountering that Freddy(FAS) says doesn't look factory. Any thoughts?

Day 2 continued
 

You'll notice this fiberglass panel where the engine was mounted. Has anyone run into this in other rebuilds? We have removed it so we can get the transom as flat as possible. Freddy and Louie wetting out the 2nd layer of fiberglass tabs between the hull and the inner transom. Stronger is better!

Day 4
 

Fred's father,Fred sr. made the template for the new transom as work continues.I am honored and very lucky to have a "Master boat builder" offer his expertise in my project.
the bracket on the back is an outboard template to show hole location. It is set at 30"we've decided to raise it to 31"-31.5"as the lower bolts would be real close to the well directly under the motor that will also be built up with new fiberglass. Getting there.

Spencer,thanks for the props on my dad.he's a 2nd generation boat builder,at 90 years old ,its cake to template a transom with a piece of cardboard,and it slips right in.we are on track for the Bass run....still anyone have an input on that fiberglass wedge in that '79 23 SF?

day 10 at the Shipyard
 

We're moving right along. Transom plywood was put together with 2 layers of 1708 in between the plywood. Then 4 layers on the outboard side and 1 layer on the inboard side. Everything was ground down and shaped and made ready to go into the boat. Today they put the new transom into the boat pressing it into a bed of thickened epoxy. Everything was screwed and clamped and left to set up, which it is doing now. It will be bulletproof when it's done. Can't wait!

Getting close!
 

Here are some more pics of the progress being made on my Potter built 23 cc. 1st. one is more buildup along the edges with glass to smooth out the transom.2nd. more filler and laying up some glass on the inside of the motor well. 3rd. top cap reinstalled and glassed in place and getting ready for paint.4-6 getting closer to paint. Sweating the small stuff, literally.

1 step closer to splash, 42 total days dry.
 

Transom paint on , needs tape lines buffed out on the sides. New vents installed. white paint for the well and transom caps to be done on Monday. Trim tabs on the table waiting for paint. "And the beat goes on"

Looks great!!!

Looks great!! smart move going with the 30" transom . . . I wish I had done that with my 23.

Ditto on what 'da Shrimp said!!! The 30" transom will work out great. Great work!

Thanks guys for all the positive feedback. The new transom measures out to be 31.5" now which should be close to right on for the motor with the new Bay 5" kit to extend my 25" to 30" (thanks DonV for that tip).FAS and his crew have done and are doing a great job and going the extra mile to make it right.I can see the advantage now of doing a deck off restoration so you see what you have and can work from the inside out.That wasn't an option so this was the next best way to go and I feel confident that this transom will outlast me. More to follow as work continues.

good call on the 30" Spencer.she's coming along the way it should,that transom is guaranteed,my lifetime,[minus a stress crack or two}I am younger than you.....you could hang twin 300 yami's on there.Have a blast!!

And out the door she goes!
 

A BIG thank you to Freddy (FAS) and Pop Scop, Liz, Kevin and Louie and for putting up with me and my boat. The project went well despite the heat of summer and left the shop 48 days after the first cut. Now it's back to Remsenburg Marina to have the engine mounted with it's new 5" shaft extension for the new transom.With any luck i'll get a couple of years out of the the old '98 225. Bring on the Fall, can't wait!

Nice
 

Looks great and the 30" transome is a good move.
By chance is that a church in the back ground/God's blessing the work?

Great job guys!