Crystal craft rebuild/flats build

[LesJJ]

I have an old crystal craft 13’6 skiff that I am restoring/modifying into a skimmer skiff/IPB type boat and have some questions about what to do about the transom and general fiberglassing advice as I am mostly a noob and haven’t done anything more than patching small holes and such.
As far as I can tell all but the section of the transom where the outboard was clamped on is solid. I really don’t want to do more than I need to and am not looking to “make it better than new” or anything like that. I just want it to be good enough to use and not worry about.
Can I just cut out the center portion(as indicated in picture) and glass a new piece of ply in there? Or do I really need to do the whole thing? Like I said I am a complete noob to anything but small patch jobs and am open to any suggestions.

All advice is appreciated

 

[LesJJ]

Cannot post pics now but should be able to post later today

 

[LesJJ]

 

[Camdenites]

LesJJ is my 15yr old son. He is ready to "rip in" on this transom and i strongly suggested that he ask for advice on this forum. PLEASE respond with suggestions on repairing the transom.....
Based on the hollow/solid sound test, only the upper and center portions of the transom are rotten. should he plan to cutout that portion only or go ahead and cut out the side foam filled "boxes" in order to access and replace the entire transom?

Thank you so much for your advice as he begins this restoration!!!

 

[jbcurt00]

Transom should be treated as a whole, so no, dont simply replace a small section.

Remove & replace it all

 

[LesJJ]

Thanks for the advice,
So can I go in from the back or should I cut out the foam filled boxes on the inside and go from there? I would like to leave them intact if possible to simplify the process but it seems most people go in from the inside of the boat.