Replace transom or replace boat?

[7lazy77]

I have a 71 Crewscraft with 70 hp Chrysler that I recently acquired. It is my first boat, so I didn't really know what to look for before purchasing. You live & learn.....but I still think I got it for a good price, because the motor was gone thru & the marine shop said it was in very good condition, but I still had him replace the plugs & adjust the carbs. The overall condition of the boat is pretty good, given the age. There are a few repairable gouges & a crack, but the transom is in need of replacing. I don't plan on keeping the boat for more than a year or two, since my kids are getting bigger & we will shortly outgrow the 16' boat.
I am considering replacing the transom with either wood or seacast. I can't afford to have it done at the local marine shop, so I will have to take it head on. Which way is more cost-effective? Is one way easier than the other for a first-timer? Heck, I may even keep my eye out for another boat that has a shot motor or no motor to swap my motor on. I have seen some pretty cheap boats out there, but now that I know more than I did before, I can check for a good transom.
I am going to try to attach several pictures to show the design of the boat. Thanks for the help & suggestions.

 

[tschmidty]

Re: Replace transom or replace boat?

Neither is really easier than the other, they both involve a lot of the same prep up to a certain point. Using plywood is much cheaper. Their is a lot of work involved, generally you need to take the cap off the boat (ie make it two separate pieces). Anything you find cheap will probably have the same issue, but if you don't plan on keeping my thought would be to use it this year and sell it over the winter to look for another boat.

 

[Yacht Dr.]

Re: Replace transom or replace boat?

Hello lazy77..

Could you repost the pics just a little bit larger please. .. I cant really see the pics that well.. ( I know I know.. I complain that you need pics..you post pics..now Im complaining again lol.. ) but they are hard to see that small.

Lescher.. you might want to suggest a resporator ( or full face respo ) instead of those worthless dust masks . And the goggles you might suggest taping up them holes ( but there gonna fog up fast ). 100 bucks or less for a full face respo for a resto is a good price IMHO. Teaching safty should be paramount before teaching how to grind and such. Good site ( Although I disagree with some of your methods ).

GL lazy and thank you for coming back ..

YD.

 

[7lazy77]

Re: Replace transom or replace boat?

How do I make the pics bigger?

 

[7lazy77]

Re: Replace transom or replace boat?

Lets see if this works for larger pics....

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[7lazy77]

Re: Replace transom or replace boat?

Still not sure how!?

 

[local825]

Re: Replace transom or replace boat?

HEY I just did a transome rebuild and found that i made the job harder than it was,, (doubt) i used sea-cast and will give any one a free swing with a sledge hammer to this transome. If you go with this method it can be easy or hard depending on if you can follow simple direction, and ask questions if you dont know i cant see the diamentions of your transome but judging by the size of the boat you should not spend more than 400$ for the Sea Cast everything included.... It is worth it...

 

[7lazy77]

Re: Replace transom or replace boat?

Let's see if these bigger pics work.

 

[jonesg]

Re: Replace transom or replace boat?

Transom is gone and I'd fully expect the stringers to be done for.
Put the outboard on a stand and de-rig, you're gonna be gutting this baby.
It will probably be fine just putting around the lake but it needs doing sometime, sooner rather than later.
Its not a candidate for a quick seacast job.
I'd use it this yr gingerly...then plan for a project starting in the fall if you have a garage where you can work over winter.
Or jump right in and pop the cap now , shoot for a late summer spash.

 

[Woodonglass]

Re: Replace transom or replace boat?

I would NOT waste my time on rebuilding this boat unless you are emotionally attacthed to it. You will invest 1k to 2k and for that you can find a "Lake Ready" boad to hang your motor on. Chainsaw Candidate IMHO!!!!!