1978 Starcraft transom replacement

[mildewing]

New to iboats, great site, thanks. I just bought this boat after it's been sitting since 1997. Im replacing the transom and having questions that I dont see answers to. First questions: is that an anode between the knee brace(?) And transom? The is a gasket between the splashwell and transom, do I need that gasket or can I use caulking?

 

[mildewing]

Took the transom out yesterday and it looks like that thing on the transom is a few layers of corroded metal. Looks like a spacer. The old transom was installed in three pieces. The rot seems to be mainly caused by the half corroded steel bolts they used anyplace there was bolts, except the main motor.

 

[jbcurt00]

Watermann

Rob ^^^ will be a good asset, as will other SC owners.

How about I move this over to the Starcraft Owners forum...

Welcome to iboats and good luck w your project

 

[mildewing]

Thanks jbcurt00 !!!

Looks like the metal is growing lime. Should I replace the spacer thing or was it a bandaid?

 

[Watermann]

SC didn't put anything as a spacer at the joining of the knee brace and the transom, I would imagine that was put there by the PO as well as the goop I see.

Welcome aboard and to the Starmada! :wave:

 

[mildewing]

Thanks Waterman. Luckily that goop was only in that area. There is a rubber gasket under that goop, should i use 5200 instead of a gasket?

It looks like the 3 piece transom may have made the knee brace bolts get pulled almost all the way through the backing board on the back of the transom, causing the space.

 

[Candutch]

Welcome aboard mildewing. I am not aware of SC using rubber gaskets between the wood and aluminum on the transom at all. Use 5200 everywhere that you through bolt on the transom to seal it well from water intrusion.
That rust and corrosion looks crappy, how does the inside of your transom skin look? You will find lots of info on here on how to deal with the corrosion. Clean it up really well and fill the pitting in with JB Weld or Marine Tex.
The knee brace bolts pulled through because your transom was rotten. Make sure you use proper exterior grade plywood or marine ply for the new one and most here make the transom 1 piece when they replace it.
Most of your questions can be answered by reading other resto threads, when you can't find an answer ask here and you will find lots of help.

 

[mildewing]

Yeah I dont see any point in a three piece transom. Might as well have not used the top two pieces at all.

The inside skin is clean except for glue residue . I dont see any pitting or pitting repairs anywhere. I wasn't wanting to pull the splashwell but may have to to get the glue off.

The splashwell has four thick layers of paint that made a tall edge where I chipped away the loose paint(and fibetglass). I'm struggling to get the edges smooth enough to paint without seeing the high ridge.

I'm going to just use exterior ply and and probably use the old timers spar recipe to seal it. Not a lot of good materials around here and it seems lots have good results with those.