[Scott]

Scott

You have to expect to have a wet transom (unless it was recently redone) … I think every boat on this site does or did at some point. I would center my attention more on the condition under the water line and around that bracket …That’s where your stress is. Additionally I would take a look at all the thru-hulls ….the through the deck scuppers, the garboard drain, forward fish locker drain (under the casting platform) etc etc. They can be a liability.

The bottom patch I would check from inside the bilge.

The deck crazing … Does the deck fell spongy ?? I cant think of too many older boats that I have been on that don’t have that. I have it too !!! The issue is that it wasn’t properly fixed the first time around and opened up again. They look like fairly tight hairlines in the gelcoat versus real structural damage. Does it look like water could easily get into them ??

Interesting that the hold forward of your console is sealed …Did they say why ??

The forward anchor locker bulkhead …. That’s just a piece of plywood with Formica on it (at least use to be). Where it meets the deck and runs up the gunwale sides there is a lip to hold it in place …. The caulk must have been placed there to seal it up. My boat has nothing.

The towing eye … That just looks like the backing plate / proper sized washers didn’t make it on there. That would be simple to replace or fix and back with something that would not allow it to pull through like those nuts are.

Your 2x4’s … would have been nice (and done more appropriately ) if coated in glass and resin !!! That I would want to check into a little more

The whole bracket thing … There’s nothing wrong with what you have there … just that putting a monster four stroke on there could make that boat real heavy in the rear.

How’s the wiring, the fuel system, and the hydraulic steering ?? Those systems alone are several thousand if they require replacement.