Transom / Keel repair !!

[jddenham]

Hello!

I bought a 17' 'Las Vegas' v-hull for $20. I didn't see any damage when I bought it but now I have discovered a problem!

The joint where the transom meets the keel has lost about an inch of material and soggy wood is exposed. I'm thinking I need to cut the transom out first, and access the situation to see if it's fixable, or worth fixing.

I will post some pics of it Sunday for you to see, but any preliminary thoughts would be appreciated.

I like the design of the boat, and would like to make it a runner. I would also like to tackle the job just for the experience, as I've never done fiberglass work before.

Thanks for reading!

James
www.james.denham.com

 

[Mark42]

Re: Transom / Keel repair !!

James, it sounds like you found a problem. Pictures are always a help, but generally the inside skin of the transom is removed, all wood is removed, and new plywood is installed.

Search here for transom repairs and you will find a dozen or more projects. Also go to www.shareaproject.com to see detailed transom and stringer relacement projects.

Good luck! And don't forget to post the pictures!

Mark

 

[jddenham]

Re: Transom / Keel repair !!

I finally took some photos as spring is getting closer and projects might start progressing:

In the fourth pic you can see the damage. I was thinking I would put in a new transom and floor.

If anyone could give an outline of the processes / steps involved I would appreciate it.

Thanks in advance,

James

 

[Nova II 260]

Re: Transom / Keel repair !!

A lot of work and many dollars, is all you need!
There are plenty of good threads (on this forum) on the subject of floor and transom repair.
Considering the boat you have, salvage what you can , sell the trailer for $100.00, enjoy the profit, and look for another boat to spend good money on. Here's what in store for you:
My (abandoned) project boat
PLUS you need to acquire the OB and all the mechanicals.

 

[Mark42]

Re: Transom / Keel repair !!

First you need to see what the true extent of the damage is. So get a circular saw, set the blade to the floor thickness (about 1/2 inch) and cut the floor out. Then you can see the stringers, soggy foam (if there is any) and where the stringers attach to the transom.

Then decide what to do.

It doesn't cost any money to cut the floor out and you will know where you stand with repairs.

 

[Solittle]

Re: Transom / Keel repair !!

I wouldn't be too hasty in cutting the floor out if there is a possibility that you may try to sell it pretty much as is. You can get a reasonable ides of the damage by tapping the floor and the transom with a hammer. A solid rap sound is good wood - a dull thud indicates rot.

If you do decide to go ahead you will need to seperate the cap (or detach the deck & gunnels) from the hull to get access to the inside of the transom.

There is plenty of info here on steps, process, materials, cost & cuss words to use - read away.

 

[flashback]

Re: Transom / Keel repair !!

for 25 bucks you got you a fair trailer and a piece of fiberglass.. if you are willing to work for about 10 cents an hour and spend 1500 in cash, I think you could resurrect your boat.. Do you have an engine for it..? I hope so, that's gonna be another nice little piece of change... But.. if you like.. and I mean like... the idea of bringing it back to life, then you should go for it... and you will get all the help you need for the how to part here at Iboats......

 

[jddenham]

Re: Transom / Keel repair !!

Well the trailer isn't mine, it was a loaner to get the boat down the street. I already got my $20 back by selling the chrysler throttle controls on ebay.

I have an older 16' that I'm going to junk and use it's trailer so I'm good there.

I have two outboards. I was planning on using a 1975 merc 150 with trim/tilt. I also have a 1973 johnson 115, no trim/tilt.

I also have seats/gauges/accessories from the 16 footer that I'm going to junk.

I will cut a hole in the floor and see where I stand and post pics. Even if I don't use the boat, I will get the aux motor mount and other hardware off, and gain a little experience by tearing it apart.

Let me know if you have any add'l thoughts !!

James

 

[flashback]

Re: Transom / Keel repair !!

sounds like ya have a plan.. the only wood in it is the stringers, floor and transom, except some cosmetic stuff that is easily replaced. so if you feel up to replaceing all that, and you engines are in good shape. then step into the world of boat restoration and have some fun..

 

[JasonJ]

Re: Transom / Keel repair !!

Not much you can do except poke around and open some stuff up. Is the floor soft at all? It could be that all you may need to do is just grind away the damage area and put some fresh glass on, or you might have to do a full on transom /stringer/floor job. You would first want to decide if this boat is going to do what you want it to once the rebuild is done. No sense in doing it if you will end up outgrowing the boat in a year. Keep them options open...

 

[ManOfwar690]

Re: Transom / Keel repair !!

wood hammer and tap the area around the hole most likely the damage was done and the boat was hauled tap and listen if it thuds u have rot if it sounds sharp just inject it with resin and a layer or 2 of glass after u have ground the edges downpast the gell coat then regellcoat that area. its low enough that i dont think its structuraly unsafe... but like i said tap with a wooden hammer ans se how far up its soft easy fix if it was hauled out and sat