1977 Glastron 18' CVX Transom restoration

We recently started restoring a 1977 Glastron 18? CVX 350 Mercusier IO. We have gutted the engine compartment and rear seat/firewall structure to investigate engine stringers and transom condition. After having removed all of the waterlogged foam that made up the sides of the engine compartment, exposing the transom completely, to our surprise the thick sandwiched plywood transom board only covers the middle third of the transom. To the right and left of the plywood center section, the transom is only 1/4 - 5/16? thick glass and gelcoat! This is probably typical, but we have not seen this before. As our limited marine DIY has only involved hulls with complete transom boards from stern quarter to stern quarter. My question is whether the foam in these stern corners is an integral and NECESSARY part of the transom STRENGTH and hull design along with a floatation factor?
Thanks Den

Re: 1977 Glastron 18" CVX Transom restoration

Re: 1977 Glastron 18" CVX Transom restoration

That's the standard transom for the Glastron Carlson boats of that generation.

As for the foam...a lot of us have removed it with no ill-effects. I did add some support to the gunwale's just for my own piece of mind, but there's a lot of storage to be gained if you're willing to risk removing the foam.

Re: 1977 Glastron 18" CVX Transom restoration

Re: 1977 Glastron 18" CVX Transom restoration

Thanks dorelse,
Extra storage space is what we have in mind. I now feel more comfortable choosing not to replace the old wet foam, and will follow your lead by engineering and glassing in the storage space/engine compartment structure keeping stern and transom strength and rigidity in mind.
Den

Re: 1977 Glastron 18" CVX Transom restoration

Re: 1977 Glastron 18" CVX Transom restoration

I ended up with this before:



To this:

(With the engine installed...I can pretty much work on any & all parts of the engine, where before it would have been extremely difficult.)

Re: 1977 Glastron 18" CVX Transom restoration

Re: 1977 Glastron 18" CVX Transom restoration

Thanks for the pertinent pics. Below is a link to my sons' picture posting of their CVX project. I'm the third generation involved.
Grandpa Den

http://www.islandpirates.net/forum/showthread.php?t=3891