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#1
05-24-2013, 01:36 PM
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18' SF with soft transom
Hi Guys, I have an 18’ 1978 seacraft that has a soft transom. I fabricated an aluminum bracket to tie into the solid part and have been running it for about 10 years this way. It is pretty solid, but I have always wanted to fix it properly. I have experience with fiberglass, replacing decks, etc, but am not sure of the best approach to this job. I feel that, ideally, the inner liner would be removed to allow scraping out the rotten transom and glassing in a suitable replacement (what do people use nowadays in place of wood for transoms?) This would allow the outer hull to remain untouched. This is the type of runaway project I would like to avoid though. Is there a solid way to replace the transom core by coming in from the outside? I love this boat but would really prefer a 20 or even a 23 seacraft.
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1978 18' Seacraft 150hp Mercury XR6 "Seabiscuit" 
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#2
05-24-2013, 01:56 PM
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Quote:
-Fred
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"...Southern by the grace of God"
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#3
05-24-2013, 05:59 PM
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There are a lot of options for transom repair, including marine ply, coosa board, or pourable products like nida-bond. If you do it from inside the boat, you won't have to refinish the transom. If you go from the outside, you'll be refinishing the exterior of the transom with gelcoat or paint. If you don't match the colors you'll have a funny looking boat or a much bigger cosmetic (paint or gelcoat) project. Additionally, once you start you may find other issues that need attention and substantial outlays of $ and time, so the advice to sell as-is and buy what you really want is sound advice if you're not committed to want to attack this project. Good luck no matter what you decide.
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#4
05-24-2013, 07:29 PM
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Transom job is doable by a regular guy, and yes it has been done from the outside by guys on this forum with plenty of documentation and guidance available. What Rondo and fdheld34 said, are right on. If you don't want to keep it, sell it as is.
Numerous guys on this board are looking for an 18 project and transom aside, it looks like a nice rig. Trailer and motor both have value and the hull is very desirable. Might even find an interesting trade as some look to size up or down. A 20 is not going to be much different in functional utility or space. A 23 is a sea change.
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there's no such thing as normal anymore...
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#5
05-24-2013, 08:32 PM
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Thanks for the replies guys. I guess I am just worried about not getting much out of it as it is, it seems like a bad transom scares a lot of people off and really kills the value. I guess the only way to find out what I can get is to try and sell it. For the time being I will just keep enjoying it as much as I can.
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1978 18' Seacraft 150hp Mercury XR6 "Seabiscuit"
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#6
05-24-2013, 08:59 PM
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I bought a new 23 ft Seacraft in 1972 and sadly sold it in '80. I now have an 18 ft Seacraft which I am refinishing. My advice is same as others, go for the 23 and do not look back. They are both great boats but a world apart. My 18 '78 ft boat had any aluminum bracket outboard motor was mounted on. I removed it and discovered a rotted transom. I ended up cutting deck to replace rotted balsa core and cutting stringers to replace water soaked foam. Bottom line is that you might be facing a much larger job if you want to do it properly.
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#7
05-24-2013, 11:03 PM
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Quote:
It might be worthwhile to post it here for 25 clams at your price and gauge the interest. You might be surprised as there are a lot of skilled craftsmen here who will restore the breed for their kids or own use. Good luck with your decision and have a happy Memorial Day weekend.l
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there's no such thing as normal anymore...
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#9
05-26-2013, 08:22 AM
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Quote:
 
__________________
1978 18' Seacraft 150hp Mercury XR6 "Seabiscuit"
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