I think I finally got it!

[Captn C]

Well I think I have my busted azz 25' SeaCraft patched up enough to last until the fall complete transom job.

I added 3" aluminum angle across all four bottom engine bolts and re-epoxied both knees. The angle spand from knee to knee and was etched so it would also bond at the knees. I also laid a plate over each engines bolt pattern to act as a 18" long washer.

I have felt for a whil;e that the splah well was no longer bonded the transom so I filleted it and glassed it to the transom before I put down the angle also. I also added two layers of glass to the top side of the splash well and tied that in to the repairs to the large cracks at the top of each side of the transom/slash well area.

I ran her 132nmiles last Saturday and we have no new cracks! The seas were not large, but it has cracked under fairly light use before.

I have pictures, but I forgot the camera today....will post them tomorrow.

Has any one seen plastic spacers inside the transom where the engine bolts go though. This is the first time I have ever removed an engine bolt and was a bit surprised to see them.

[Captn C]

Here are the photos:

[Captn C]

UPDATE;
from 9-10-05:

I ran the boat in seas that tested my lastest work. All is still solid. The transom is still in place and no new cracks have started to form. I feel a lot better about using the boat for now. Sea conditions- 2 to 3 ft head sea going out and 3 to 4 ft follow seas with a cross chop...the kind of nasty stuff that only the Gulf of Mexico can dish out.

I am more impressed with the boats ride now than ever. Believe it or not, but the boat must have transmitting the flex into the entire boat?!?!? Sounds crazy I know, but my fiance looked at me after about 30 minutes and ask if the boats ride felt different. I too had been thinking the same thing. It felt more solid....heavier?!?!? maybe....it is hard to explain. It was also much quiter with T-Top rebuilt, deck supports re-done and plates put under the T-Top's feet. I also put two aluminum plates in the equipment box because the bolts were starting to pull though...the fiberglass is way to thin to only have little 1/4" washers supporting the box.

Now all I have to do is stop the water leaking into the bilge from the live well and I'll have something close to what I thought I bought three plus years ago.

[warthog5]

Glad to hear your pleased. If it was mine, it would have already had a sawsall put to it and be making the transom modifaction. [img]/images/graemlins/wink.gif[/img]

[oldbluesplayer]

glad to hear this finally worked out for you - I had read thru alot of your trials while I was thinking out my job - in fact it was probably your story, along with stuff over on classic mako.com, that lead me to install the knee in mine - which really stiffened it up.

Yes, I can beleive you noticed a difference in a now stiffer boat...

Bill

[Miles Offshore]

congrats Capn C !!!! glad to hear and sounds like you will be enjoying your ride now!!!!! Go catch some yellowfins huh!!!! [img]/images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img]

[Captn C]

Wart,
It was going to be my next move....if this didn't do it I was going to rip the whole transom out and start that major rebuild.

miles,
I've got to get my number one fishing buddy healed up....my fiance. She spent the week in the hospital with what we thought was a bad appendix...she had a high fever of 103 degrees and severe cramps in her right side. I brought her home last night and she is feeling better. The weather looks good for one this Saturday, but it a bit too quick to take her out 100+nautical miles. We are still not 100% sure what is wrong with her....possible kidney infection.

Any way it sure feels good when the first thoughts you have about your boat are not...."blasted tranom!".

[stevej00]

Captn C,
I've been following your dilemma on Classic Seacraft .com. My father is going through the same thing. I'd love to have the opportunity to talk to you or even have my father talk to you.

My dad bought a 2004 32' master angler from BPS in Hanover MD back in March or May ?, can’t remember now and it had only been run from the marina to his house and then out for a stroll one evening.

What a freaking mess.

Thanks,

Steve

[Captn C]

Steve,
I sent you a private message with contact info.