Transom and stringer help

[Gradywhite3535]

Hey all, I have a few questions. Where would be the best spot to check for transom Rot and stringer rot. What size drill bit and have far would I need to go in and process of filling the hole back up. I have a feeling my transom is rotting away but I have push down on motor with not much flexing. Also in case I do need to replace transom I have been researching on the process and materials. Where would be the best place to cut out to do the transom on my boat? This site and people on it rock!!!

 

[Scott Danforth]

1/4" drill with tape about 3/4" from the end

drill from inside the hull into the transom and stringers as close to the hull as you can. around the drain hole, etc.

clean, dry, light-colored wood shavings and you can simply use epoxy putty to fill the holes and go boating

dirty, wet, dark-colored and smelly wood shavings and you can start a restoration thread.

 

[infrared]

I wouldn't rely on the "push down on outboard" as a valid test. Just because you don't see it flex doesn't mean it's not rotting/rotted.

Is there a drain plug in the transom? Does the water come out brown?

Can you visual inspect the transom through that access hole in the splash well?

 

[Woodonglass]

transom replacements on GW's can be a challenge due to the way they're constructed. Can you post a pic of the back of the boat from the front of the boat including the deck so we can see what kind of access to the transom you have on the inside?

 

[mickyryan]

Clearly a decap , most likely stringers are shot as well or going, best way is to remove cap and cut out the rot , when you hang a new engine eventually you will have a sound piece of mind
i have seen enough 10+ yr old boats to know unless it was garage kept chances are there is rot someplace

 

[Gradywhite3535]

Thanks for all the replys
Scott I will try that over the weekend and will post back what I find... thanks

infraed yea there is a drain plug. No I haven’t seen any dirt coming out.You can see the transom
thru the hole.

wog yes I will post a pic but these are the only ones I have on my phone right now. If you need better pics let me know....

i know ive been told that a 30 year old boat is most likely rotting away. I inherited the boat 4-5 years ago and I may just use the boat this year and start ripping her out if I can do it myself. I know it’s a ton of work, money and know how. I’ve never worked with fiberglass before but I’m a woodworker by trade.i also was told by my brother that he would let me have access to his garage in December, so that’s the when I would be able to get to it. I also will be practicing working with fiberglass and doing a ton of research. I’ve read thru a ton of restores on this site and watches all of Friscos videos. Pull the cap seems very intimating to me lol. I would rather go another route if possible lol.

 

[mickyryan]

dont be scared its easy and once you do one you will never try fixing them the hard way again i wont tell you every step as there are several good posts about it and fiberglass has got to be the easiest material ever to work with

 

[Woodonglass]

The problem with GW's is that they are a Tub constructed boat. The interior is a full Tub liner and they do not provide easy access to the hull below. Some are fully filled with flotation foam and have NO stringers. What year and model is yours. I'd be glad to research it for you.

 

[Gradywhite3535]

Thanks wog it’s a 1975 204 Hatteras 204... I actually found this out of the catalog recently if this helps any.

http://www.gradywhite.com/media/2822/1975.pdf

I was actually messing around with a little access hole below the front compartments and there was a ton of foam I could feel and I’m pretty sure I felt a stringer.... there are stringers on my boat. I’ll see if I can dig up some pics of them later on tthis night or tomorrow. Thanks again, big help.

 

[Woodonglass]

GW has excellent customer service. Go here and fill out the request and Click the Request Customer Service button. http://www.gradywhite.com/contact/
You can ask them about how the hull was built and the best method for repairs.