Well finished the transom - ran new bilge hoses and wiring, mounted all equipment in the transom area (oil tank, trim tab HPU, fuel filter, flow sensor, installed (+) and (-) buss bars and other items) in the large hatch on the transom bulkhead.
Still have to finish painting the deck from about the console up but wanted to get it back in the water. Still have to mount the 3 new rod holders across the back of the transom, re-install the two removed off the cap and finish dressing cables/hoses etc.
But anyway here she sits in the water - the Yam fired right up and ran great.
Mounted the new leaning post I bought from BA17 - thanks Brian it's great!!!
The stearn sits higher in the water than before. I was afraid that it would be heavier but seems like that is not the case. I only put 70 gallons of fuel on her for the test run.
Did I mention the transom is SOLID AS A ROCK
What a difference the new space in the cockpit area makes. Can't wait to bloody her up.
Thanks to everyone for the help along the way..
Will post more pics soon - action shots and more details of the newly laid out bilge area etc..
One thing that is strange
- I remounted the transom bracket in exactly the same spot. Now the motor cavitates and I cannot get as much trim out of it??
While someone else was running the boat I stood on the bracket and the cavitation plate is about 1 inch above the surface of the water?? I guess the transom was flexing so much before with the thrust of the motor that it was forcing the engine down to the proper running angle??
I am going to drop the engine one bolt hole and see if that helps.
Anyone else experience this?