Welcome Wisemen to CSC
I have owned my 23' since 1985. I too thought my transom was solid as I keep things pretty well buttoned up.
Boy was I mistaken!
Imagine if you left the 30 year old transom "as is" and mounted your bracket and engine and a year later because of the added stress you now need to replace it. You now have added extra expenses for de-rigging the motor and bracket [img]/images/graemlins/wink.gif[/img] IMO R E P L A C E the Transon now [img]/images/graemlins/wink.gif[/img]