Well, after digging out the transom of my 1968 Mark Twain, and deciding it wasn't worth stringers, tramson, floor, just to be an old boat that's unremarkable, I bought another boat.<br /><br />I have a good Mercury 650 (65 hp) outboard, and it's a 16foot runabout. The transom seemed solid when I looked at it. <br /><br />Brought it home, and as I was digging out the RTV blue used to seal numerous holes drilled in the transom (looks like there were about 3 different motors on the boat), I found some damp wood in places on the transom. I hung my motor on it, to see if I was going to have flex problems, and the transom is solid. As is the floor. <br /><br />However the boat was (probably) left outside and everything is wet. Well, I kinda take that back. The seats are dry - even though the vinyl on them is shot, the foam is dry. Some of them will need new wood undersides.<br /><br />So here I am with a (much) newer boat, with a damp transom. So how do I best dry it out. I've used the search button, and it seems like I need to drill more(!?!?) holes in it, and use a heat lamp to warm the water out of it.<br /><br />Where? In the garage? That would mean my motorcycle(s) would have to live outside. In my driveway with a tarp over it? It's still winter here, will that affect me adversely?<br /><br />Seriously, this boat needs to last me this summer and next summer. At that point I should be in a position where I can scrap it (if need be) and get another (new??) boat. Do I just say "screw it" not worry about it, plug the holes properly (and install new drains in the splashwell, and the bilge) and run it?<br /><br />Does anyone want a 1968 Mark Twain that's gutted and ready for stringers, transom and flooring?<br /><br />Do I just say screw it, and forget ever boating?<br /><br />Thanks, in advance.
