1978 Mel-Hart Baretta restore/repair

[Padlock572]

This is my 78 Baretta and am replacing the transom. All the transom I’ve seen have had fiberglass to glue the entire wood transom to but this boat does not. The outside area of the transom is recessed and filled with flotation foam.

my question is.... how do I secure the new wood to the outer most areas of the transom to the foam?

 

[kcassells]

Does this transom/motor require a full spread transom? If so then it would be done in sections whereas it looks like a recess
on left and right sides.

 

[Padlock572]

It’s a mercruiser 165 I/O, the original spread was the full width. With that being said I’m not sure if it is required but I’m replacing it and replicating what was there already. It appears as if maybe the transom wood only went the whole width or the hull in order to creat pockets for flotation foam. Do I need to secure the new wood to the foam via adhesive or is just bonding it to the hull and transom skin good?

 

[kcassells]

From what I can see you can pack out the left and right sides to meet flush of the center, if that makes sense to you by building up layers of ply.
Then a full ply overall to the thickness required by your engine.
You would adhere to the transom and hull fiberglass not to the foam. That should all be removed to clean glass for a solid bond.

 

[Padlock572]

Thank you for your response, if I were to remove the foam and fill the sides out with wood wouldn’t that mess with the flotation of the boat? Is the foam not there for floatation purposes

 

[kcassells]

No that foam is there from some prior lazy arse/factory to simply pack it out. It has no structural or flotation value as it
is shown by your pics.

 

[Padlock572]

kcassells The angle is going to be really tough to pack out with wood. Any ideas

 

[kcassells]

kcassells The angle is going to be really tough to pack out with wood. Any ideas

Get some more pics standing back and side shots. More pics help with perspectives.

 

[Padlock572]

kcassells heres a couple more photos of the area in question. Thank you

 

[kcassells]

My opinion is that you only need to build transom in center. I would also apply plywood to both port and starboard sides. they won't have to match center transom but you should still glass them all together.

 

[Padlock572]

Thank you, I will post up pics as I go along.

 

[88 Capri (2022 SOTY)]

Padlock your boat appears to be of similar design to mine. I will post some pics for you and hope it helps. Where my indents are I had seating areas that were built in but tied in with the transom, hull and floor.
if you would like more pictures please feel free to let me know.
Oh and the boxes under the seats is where the flotation foam was installed.

 

[kcassells]

Cool, good chime in.

 

[88 Capri (2022 SOTY)]

Thank you Just trying to help like ya'll have helped me.

 

[Padlock572]

88 Capri thank you, I may steal that idea from the design of yours!

 

[88 Capri (2022 SOTY)]

Cool, if you need more pictures or anything else I will do what I can :watermelon:

 

[Padlock572]

Well.... I attempted encapsulating the transom wood in fiberglass and resin, it definitely did not work out so well for me. It looked good but once dry it had several air pocket that im no gonna have to sand out. This is so frustrating

 

[kcassells]

no pics no work

 

[Padlock572]

[No message]

 

[kcassells]

LOL...……..I've seen a lot lot worse. It's a learning curve is all. :watermelon: