thanks - this website is great
and gave me a lot of guidance and inspiration to tackle this job - I had built surboards years ago, and was used to working with fiberglass, polyester resin, which kicks so hard and so fast compared to the West Systems stuff, so that didn't scare me off, but - doing a transom... I think I read every thread on this site, and over at classic-mako, that I could find, along with the West Systems book... also, my brother took a 23 Seabird, a couple years ago, and pulled the I/O out, filled and reinforced the transom, added a bracket, and mounted a 225 OB, so I had a little direct hands on experience to refer with.
best way to check wetness is undoubtedly with one of the meters - completely non-invasive - but if you're pulling the motor off the transom anyways, check the bolt holes out - how well were those bolts bedded, how long were they in there, was the boat moored in the water all season, or did it sit on a trailer between uses. If there is an aluminum trim piece in the transom notch, see if you can pull that off (mine came easy - others reported great difficulty) and check the fit between the transom outer skin and the motorwell cap - mine was sloppy - 1/8" - another source of water entry into the core.
More to come, but taking tonight off to go out with my girlfriend.
Bill
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