88 imperial stringer/transom repair

["88"imperial]

~~So that time of year comes when it is time to get the boat ready for spring summer fishing. My vessel is a 1988 Imperial 230 with a GM 260a engine with a Volvo 290 outdrive. While replacing my universal joint bellows I had to remove the steering knuckle/helmet assembly. Had a little trouble getting the trim sensor in the top of the shaft so to make a long story short I discovered my stringers were virtually hollow is the engine compartment. Further inspection led me to check the transom and as I figured it is soft as well. It is. After spending countless hours researching and reading posts on this forum I have decided that this is a job I can accomplish. This will be a huge undertaking but I am ready for the challenge.
Now for the part I am seeking advice on......
It appears my boat is constructed of "three layers". The cap, the hull, and the floor. The cap includes the steering helm as well as the cabin door. The floor is one piece that extends all the way into the cabin and includes the walls that extend from the floor to under the cap.
My question is if I attempt to cut the floor out what will support the walls that do not appear to be attached to the hull or the cap. I know posting some pictures would better explain my situation but I am hoping someone understands what I am asking. I would rather just cut the floor out and do the repair that way as having the cap and one piece floor take up a lot of driveway garage space.

If taking the cap off to do this is the better option due to my configuration of construction then so be it. The project is going to happen either way. With the wealth of knowledge here I figure it would be stupid not to ask.

I am excited to get this project underway. I just want to make sure I do it the best way possible.

If anyone would chime in it would be greatly appreciated

 

[tpenfield]

Many boats that you see on this forum are of the older construction style. It sounds like your boat may be of the newer style, but 1988 is in the years of transition, and I would be surprised to find that in an Imperial. They went out of business shortly after 1988. Some pictures would be good, and I would suggest you post them to a photobucket account and give us a link, since the forums are having some technical issues currently. The newer design boat are more or less 2 pieces . . . The hull and it's structure and then the cockpit liner, which is usually the deck and cockpit as one giant piece. It would be good to get a dozen or so pictures of the internals of your boat to see more about the 3 pieces that you described. Cutting the cap or cockpit liner to get at the structure below can be a real challenge, because you have to bond it back together and it will forever more be a point of failure. IMO So, anyway, post up some pictures to photobucket and let some folks see more of what your boat is made of, etc.

 

[Woodonglass]

Without Pics, it's almost impossible to give sound advice. I Googled your boat and it appears to me, IF I'm looking at the same style of boat, that the deck of your boat might actually be attached to the cap. You might call the MFG and see if they could give you some information as to it's actual configuration.

 

[tpenfield]

Without Pics, it's almost impossible to give sound advice. I Googled your boat and it appears to me, IF I'm looking at the same style of boat, that the deck of your boat might actually be attached to the cap. You might call the MFG and see if they could give you some information as to it's actual configuration.

I believe that they are no longer . . . went out of business around 1989 . . . :noidea: so, pics will have to do.

My brother owned an 1987 or 88 Imperial cruiser . . . might have been the next model up from the OP's boat.

 

[Woodonglass]

Well CARP!!! You just can't depend on anything anymore. Those shady Boat Builders included!!!!:lol:

Is this similar to your boat? If so, then I think the Deck is separate from the cap. You should be able to remove it without removing the cap. However due to the way the stern is constructed, replacing the transom might be a bit problematic and offer little head room. Once you get the motor out and the seat back and all the other carp out of the way you'll be able to better determine what needs to be done to gain access to the region for the replacement. Since it's a significantly Bowed stern, I'm betting it will be a bala cored transom. This will make for an interesting replacement.

 

["88"imperial]

That is my style boat with what looks to be a different seating arrangement. From what I can tell with the motor still in place the transom where the outdrive mounts is a soli piece of wood. I don't know it may be cored balsa. Looks to be about 2 1/2 inches thick or so. I will post some up close pic when I can. Thank you for the replies.