Hi Fr. Frank, and all,
Thanks for the feedback. Bushwacker made some suggestions on products and approaches in an e-mail so thanks to you too, bushwacker. I kind of wondered about that transom fiddlin', because the material appears to be Fir or Cypress and shows a lap-joint. I was under the impression that the transoms on these things were lots of f-glass and resin over 1-3/8" ply., also the transom has been painted with something other than marine quality paint or gel coat as its faded and flaky. The transom is strong however -- and my mechanic and I both rocked on the motor pretty hard with no movement to the transom. I kind of think whoever cut down the transom & bolted on the aluminum plates did so knowing they needed to counter the loss of rigidity from messing with the original transom. Don't know why I give these guys the benefit of the doubt...? After all a lot of guys around here claim to be auto-body workers but they would have had a tough time passing a fifth grade pottery class...,heh, heh
By the way today I went down to work and I immediately noticed an old red Seafari 25 w/NY tags at my shipping terminal, apparently on its way to the Island State... Hope I haven't violated anyone's privacy but just in case I'll leave her name out of this...Never seen a 25 before. That's a lot of boat!!! -- G