My Turn To Take On A Transom

[Capecafe]

I'm a new Seacraft owner and eyeballs deep in the restoration of a 1978 Master Angler. I just realized my transom is pretty much mulch to the portside of the motor well. I found your thread interesting because for the sake of time and expense I need to replace my transom from the outside. I like your use of the coosa board and sectioning it with a second over-lapping layer. By sectioning, can you get a tighter fit along the edges with the coosa core? Once you've replaced the transom skin and faired it, did you re-gel coat the transom before painting? Is it OK to simply paint over the transom after fairing and not gelcoat. My boat was painted before it was put into storage and it's still in excellent condition and I'd rather not ad that step into my hurry to finish so I can get the boat in the water by mid-May. Any thoughts are appreciated