1989 23' Seacraft.

[FELLOW-SHIP]

HA SCOTT
HOW THINGS GOING?? I HAVE NOT TALKED TO YOU IN A WHILE, HOW’S THAT BOAT OF YOURS COMING?? DID YOU DECIDE TO DO THE TRANSOM YOUR SELF OR GET SOMEONE TO DO IT FOR YOU?
FELLOW-SHIP [img]images/icons/cool.gif[/img]

[rsegreto]

Dear Scott & Fellow-Ship-

Thank you both for the advice, I think that it may be a long winter for me here in N.E. if the transom is rotted. But I guess we'll have to wait and see, until then I'll enjoy the rest of my summer up here.

Rich Segreto

[rsegreto]

By the way, can anyone tell me what the cost of a new transom would be? I'm not to handy when it comes to something like that and therefore I'd have to get it done by a professional.
Thanks in advance for your advice.

[FELLOW-SHIP]

HA RSEGRETO
I DON’T KNOW HOW MUCH SOME ONE WOULD CHARGE YOU I DID MINE MYSELF. I KNOW THERE ARE A FEW GUYS THAT HAVE GOT QUOTES OR HAVE HAD SOMEONE DO THEIRS MAYBE THEY WILL CHIME IN. REMEMBER BECAUSE OF THE AGE OF YOUR BOAT YOU MIGHT BE OK.
FELLOW-SHIP [img]images/icons/cool.gif[/img]

[JohnB]

rsegreto,
I have a GRP meter to measure moisture. If you drilled holes and water came out, save your money on the meter. It will tell you that the whole thing is wet. When I was boat shopping, 80% of the boats more than 5 years old that had cutout style transoms, and outboards were signifigantly wet according to the meter, regardless of manufacture or visible inspection. I talked to Carl Mosely this week about my boat (great guy, thanks for the info Carl), and he said that water from the atmospheric preasure changes will naturally penetrate any transom. If you have water in the bilge, which has no sealing gelcoat, it will migrate into the wood. It is a fact of life. I don't know if this is the cause, but I agree by observation, as to what I saw. I went thru a boat yard in Tarpon Springs and put my moisture meter on about 60 boats, and the majority of them had wet transoms (these were high end boats under cover, and dry stored). If you have water running out, you need to determine whether or not it is structurally compromised, or just wet. If it is structurally compromised, it needs a new transom. If it is just wet, you might be able to dry it out, than us a West Epoxy treatment on it. Mine was wet but structurally sound (as best I could tell). I dried it out to 15% or less moisture detection, than treated it with West Epoxy, and sealed it back up 3 months ago. I check it every month with the meter, and it has stayed a consistant 10 - 15% on the meter. As far as flex on the motor goes, I have a 250 Merc which weighs about 470 pounds. If you stand on the back of it, there is very little flex in the transom, but if you start bouncing it back and forth, you can see some flex. I think that even a good transom with almost 500 pounds bouncing back and forth will get some flex to it. My long term strategy is to put a bracket on that will distribute the load evenly across the back of the boat.
Keep us up to date on what you find.

[Scott]

RSEGRETO

Your fortunate that you live in the NorEast as you can expect to pay top dollar to have it restored by a pro (that knows what he is doing)

Wow was that sarcastic....but seems to be true!!!!! [img]images/icons/grin.gif[/img]

But anyway up here in the north it seems we premium for any marine service. I am in the same situation as at some point I want solid wood in the transom.....It's ok now but will need some help soon. I've tried to get a few quotes down here in NJ and they are all over the place from a couple grand to 4-5 [img]images/icons/shocked.gif[/img] and thats for a notched transom.....Problem is that from experience something always happens and it ends up costing more!!!!!

Fellow…..I think that also answers your question on how the boat is coming……
Its been a less than Ideal summer for me …. With neck and back problems….I just look at the boat and my back goes out!!!!
HOWEVER…….I’m looking to float the little lady in the early fall just to play a little and maybe get a hook or two into some underwater creatures…..Time will tell!!!
[img]images/icons/wink.gif[/img]

[ August 23, 2002, 01:46 PM: Message edited by: Scott ]

[rsegreto]

JohnB-
Your boat's a beauty....Great picture!! [img]images/icons/grin.gif[/img]
Well, here's another little bit of info. for you. I've also noticed that my water line is starting to go below the water level, not much but it's noticeable to me anyway. I would expect this maybe when I have a full tank of fuel but at half? Does this seem possible? I have a Merc. 200 hp. outboard hanging off the back which adds some weight as well. I'll have to stand on the engine when I take it out for the season this year to try and determine what the heck's going on. But as someone stated earlier, I don't think that I need to go out and buy a moisture meter. Maybe the best thing to do would be either to drill some more wholes into the transom or have it surveyed.