1973 20' CC Transom woes

pianewman · #1 07-21-2011, 02:39 PM

Dealing with my 88-year-old dad is stressful, to say the least.

He has decided to have the transom rebuilt in the Bradenton/Sarasota/Ft Myers region, as he wants to be closer to the work being done. In addition, he has decided that $3800 is just too much to put into a 38-year-old boat with an unknown history, and that he can have it done for less in FL.

So, now the question: Any recommendations for a reliable transom rebuilder on the west coast of FL?

Thanks for all the valuable feedback. We're learning as we go, and appreciate all the input here.

Blue197320 · #2 07-22-2011, 10:17 AM

i have heard a few good things about these guys. may want to check them out. link

Ryan · #3 07-22-2011, 11:47 PM

Yeah boathaus, those guys are good.

pianewman · #4 07-23-2011, 12:37 AM

Now I'm getting annoying...but...anyone there in particular that might be partial to Seacrafts?
Thanks. I'll have my brother drive by and check them out.

Wildman · #5 07-25-2011, 09:04 AM

www.hermco.net has put more than a few transoms in Seacraft boats, along with brackets. Hes a mod on here too. He is hike away from you though.

Jaybo · #6 07-29-2011, 02:14 PM

Yes, Hermco is doing my '75 23 cc right now. He has some pics of it on his website under current project.

pianewman · #7 07-30-2011, 12:01 PM

I've found a shop in the VA. Bch area (Coastal Fiberglass) to replace the transom, for much less than FL, and I can keep the boat closer to me. (I may not give it back to my 88-year-old dad, for many reasons, some of then quite selfish!) The repair person and I were examining the boat yesterday, and he commented that "No dealer should have hung that motor on there w/o checking the transom. It's in terrible shape", as he tapped and demonstrated that most of it sounded hollow, and showed me how much it all flexed when weight is applied to the motor. He was as disgusted as we are. Curiously, he was able to name the dealer (brand) shop that did it, although his experience with the brand was in the Va Bch area, not Bradenton.

So, while looking at the mounting, he questioned the height of the cavitation plate. Remember, this is a 1973, 20' CC, 450+lb., 150hp Mercury 2-stroke motor. Currently, the cav plate is almost 1" higher than the keel. Is this correct? The transom bracket (the part that LOOKS like it should hang on the cut-out)is about 3 inches higher than the cut-out, and the transom (which must have been replaced) is 25".

Thanks for input. He wants to know where WE want the engine mounted. He has his ideas, but wants our input.