Transom replacement

[St Clair musky]

I'm replacing the transom on my '72 15' Starcraft Nova. I've had it for just over a year and new the transom was soft in the corners. I've pulled all the screws out and the corner caps are off. Looks like the PO made one piece straight across and screwed separate pieces where it curves up on each side? And doesn't look like it was sealed with anything? No wonder it's rotting.
I hope to get the wood out tomorrow. I'll try to post pictures tomorrow night. I already have the 3/4 plywood with water proof glue, and west system epoxy. Any suggestions would be appreciated.

 

[Slager]

Sounds like you are well on your way. I replaced the transom in my 15 ft Sylvan and it was pretty straight forward. If the old is in good enough condition to make a template, that will certainly help. My old transom was just good enough to not come out easily, but too rotten to screw in anything. I tried screwing a couple screws in to provide a place to grab, but they just pulled out. I ended up using a hammer claw and pry bar to slowly work it upwards. Pulling on one side then the other until it was high enough to grab and lift.

 

[St Clair musky]

Thanks for the reply. I tried quickly to get the wood out and it didn't work. I can try to screw something in like you wanted to? Good idea. I planned on bringing home a couple pry bars from work tomorrow to see if I could get it.
I'll let you know how I make out

 

[gm280]

Thanks for the reply. I tried quickly to get the wood out and it didn't work. I can try to screw something in like you wanted to? Good idea. I planned on bringing home a couple pry bars from work tomorrow to see if I could get it.
I'll let you know how I make out

Some times you have to literally cut them out. You can take a skill saw and set the blade so that it only cuts through the wood and not into the outside transom skin and cut away. Everybody used so many different ways to remove their transoms, that is basically is whatever works for you. Post some pictures for us to see what you are working on. We love pictures on these forums.

And :welcome: aboard St Clair musky. Always nice to have a new member with a project... :thumb:

 

[jbcurt00]

Rotten transoms tend to swell, so they can be much more difficult to remove then you'd like to hope.

As it's a tin boat, consider very carefully using a skill saw, and for sure don't slice into the transom skin.

Under cover and tarped w/ a fan/heat source, it might dry out enough to be easier to remove.

FYI, StarCraft originally built the transom as you describe:

Upper 'batwing' corners as separate pieces, main transom straight/flat across and no sealer/paint on the transom wood.

 

[St Clair musky]

Ok good to know! I got the old wood out. Cut 2 new pieces. Jut need to jigsaw the middle section out tomorrow.
Thanks for the feedback