1987 SeaSprite SSB 225 Transom/partial stringer rebuild w/pics

[Lwarden]

ok! here goes, started the other day tearing out all the rear interior of the boat so I could get right down to the bottom of the keel inside the bilge and down around the transom/gimble plate to inspect the transom. Just what we had expected, using the tap/rap test I determined my transom is very soft from the bottom up about 8"-10" and about 12" each side of the center/keel/drain hole. The 2 stringers that run along side the motor mounts are also soft from the transom forward about a 1'. So Ive decided to pull the engine and cut the floor back from the back of the fuel tank to the transom and see what I might find. I'm sending pics so you have a good visual of where Im at and what Im seeing. Comments appreciated!

 

[Lwarden]

Re: 1987 SeaSprite SSB 225 Transom/partial stringer rebuild w/pics

 

[Lwarden]

Re: 1987 SeaSprite SSB 225 Transom/partial stringer rebuild w/pics

 

[Lwarden]

Re: 1987 SeaSprite SSB 225 Transom/partial stringer rebuild w/pics

the last pic is a pic of one of the stringers, its hard to decifer but its where the stringer meets the transom and the bottom of the boat!

 

[skipper123]

Re: 1987 SeaSprite SSB 225 Transom/partial stringer rebuild w/pics

Looks like your fixen to find the same issues I have. Hate to be the one that gives bad news but on every boat of that age it seems most of the wood is rotten, transom stringer sole bulkheads. Maybe you got lucky and your boat has been inside since new, slim chance. I have checked out five this spring about the same age and all the same. I finally just bought one cheap enough to rebuild. You can do a much better job than the factory did they slam em togeather and out the door. You have the time to fix her right and with much research on the forum you can do it right.

 

[Lwarden]

Re: 1987 SeaSprite SSB 225 Transom/partial stringer rebuild w/pics

Looks like your fixen to find the same issues I have. Hate to be the one that gives bad news but on every boat of that age it seems most of the wood is rotten, transom stringer sole bulkheads. Maybe you got lucky and your boat has been inside since new, slim chance. I have checked out five this spring about the same age and all the same. I finally just bought one cheap enough to rebuild. You can do a much better job than the factory did they slam em together and out the door. You have the time to fix her right and with much research on the forum you can do it right.[/QUOT

At this point I havent cut any inspection holes in the floor, the floor seems solid ahead of the fuel tank bulk head and when Im on the water it seems to ride and sound nice on the water. So short of going looking for problems I think I might go with the old adage if it aint broke dont fix it, I guess I'll know more after I pull the motor and cut up the floor. Wish me luck!

 

[Lwarden]

Re: 1987 SeaSprite SSB 225 Transom/partial stringer rebuild w/pics

I did notice theres foam on the starboard side under the floor in the back
and assume the same on the port side.. I dont like what Ive been reading on here about foam soakin up water and causing rot.

 

[Lwarden]

Re: 1987 SeaSprite SSB 225 Transom/partial stringer rebuild w/pics

I do have another question. after removing all the interior from the back of the boat I noticed the transom is a 2 part or dbl thickness in the area of the gimbal/transom plate mount or basically the same size as the bilge are is wide and about 3/4 the height of the back of the boat. I also noticed that the transom runs all the way up to the cap screws and some are into the transom from the run rail. Will I have to remove those screws before I can get all the transom wood out?

 

[rav221]

Re: 1987 SeaSprite SSB 225 Transom/partial stringer rebuild w/pics

Your in the same "boat" as I am, pulled my motor to change shaft bearings and found soft/rot areas (V8's seem to hide more because of less visual room). I've already replaced some decking in the center of the boat and found the stringers to be OK forward, but def. soft and water soaked in the bilge area. On my 86 Bayliner I'll be replacing pretty much everything that you described. I have the same style transom, the area around the transom shield is built out heavier. Most of my rot is all on the starboard side, I believe from the swim platform on the same side and poor water drainage by Bayliner.

Good luck on your rebuild/repair, I'm looking forward to your posts and progress....I'll be starting a thread soon for mine.

Bob

 

[Lwarden]

Re: 1987 SeaSprite SSB 225 Transom/partial stringer rebuild w/pics

Im not sure where my inital problem started but the 2 anode bolts were loose from draging the out drive up the boat launch because someone forgot to put it in trailer to get it up all the way. That made me investigate further! my transom seems solid above the 1' mark from the keel. After I get the engine out Ill know more. I do know my transome is 82" wide and 48" tall and doubled like you said around the transom shield.

 

[Lwarden]

Re: 1987 SeaSprite SSB 225 Transom/partial stringer rebuild w/pics

First pic is the anode bolts that were yanked loose from the outdrive being left down when the boat was brought out of the water,second pic is the doubled up transom, Im not sure if you can even see it from this pic, and third is the boat on its way home to my house just after I bought it, I have other pics now that shes all buffed and waxed and the hull is pristeen, not a blemish one in the gel coat. Im not to disappointed in the price either I only paid $3500 and it came with a whole bunch of fishing gear and 4 nice down riggers. So even with the cost of a new transom I think Ill still come out ahead in the long run.