Got me a 71 SF20 now what do I do?

[poco]

Originally Posted by Rybones

I say, check the transom, doesn't have to be perfect but make sure your not going to experience catastrophic failure anytime soon, clean it up, make it safe and running properly and use it for this coming summer before you commit to any big projects. You'll have time to prepare and a much better idea of what you really want/need to do and how to do it. She looks like a well laid out serviceable boat as is, enjoy her a bit

OK Rybones I went to thumping it with a mallet the transom on the back had been replaced by cutting the back bit of the cap off and it looks like it was glassed on the inside. Its actually very sold sounding and I jumped on the motor a bit and no flex, even stood on the ladder.

There are a few nice sized cracks on the back and it sounded a bit soft by the plug so I called around a found 2 fiberglass shops about a hr away.

1st shop the guy does totally mold up bass boat builds and high end repairs been in the game for 55 years he said. He stood on the boat, looked in a few hatches said unless im ganna dump 30k in it he would not get on the water with it as is and to sell it. I was a bit gutted but thought f*uck it im a hr away from the 2nd shop and see what he says.

2nd shop the guy does mostly repairs these day but has done a ton of mold up builds and has been in the game for 35 years. He jumped all over the boat and motor and got a mallet out, dude went all over it and was like "looks good for her age". He had reservation about how the transom was redone and said it was solid but kinda a odd way of fixing it but he see no reason why It would fail as is.

He also suggested pulling the motor and checking the for moisture thru the bolt holes. I ended up leaving it with him for the week and hes ganna drop the boat in the water and then to pull the motor and just see whats up with the soft spot by the plug and the cracks in the transom but he seamed to think it look better then most for its age. He did note that the motor was ment to have 2 steering rods and it was connected wrong lol.

Blown away by the difference in options lol.


On putting the tank below deck the boat is a 4 stringer. Any reason I cant just relocate the batteries to one of the rear hatches?