73 Steadecraft - Building up transom

[sslavko]

Hi all, I have recently replaced my old 15" shaft 50HP Mercury motor (from 1973) with long shaft 20" Suzuki 55HP. Of course transom didn't fit but I thought I will just add something underneath to raise it for another 2-3 inches and it will be all good. I filled up old holes with epoxy but when I drilled new holes some black water and mud came out of transom. I thought that transom was completely rotten and decided to replace it and at the same time build it up to 20". Since this boat has motor well and inner skin is not really accessible I decided to do it from outside. After removing outside skin it turned out that plywood is actually in very good shape. It was wet but not rotten. Now I think I'll just let it dry up for couple of days and then insert piece of plywood in the middle to build it up to 20" transom. What would be the best way to connect this middle part with the other sides of existing plywood? Cut both sides on angle and glue them together then glass over them? Here are few photos of open transom Thank you

 

[rickryder]

You're not going to have much strength just scabbing a piece of wood on the top in the opening..... It should be made of one piece

 

[Woodonglass]

Doing a transom from the back is not the optimum way and since you cut so close to the sides of the hull and Didnt leave any edges to tab to its going to be difficult to get a strong bond. I'd highly recommend that you remove all the old wood and replace it

 

[coolbri70]

that transom was cut out for the 15" shaft. you should replace all the wood and make it 20"