Is it worth it? '98 Larson 5.7GS DP Lower Transom Rot

[JASinIL2006]

Re: Is it worth it? '98 Larson 5.7GS DP Lower Transom Rot

Nice work! Surprising how much it takes sometimes...


Jim

 

[HalfFish5087]

Re: Is it worth it? '98 Larson 5.7GS DP Lower Transom Rot

Thanks gents! The transom was 1/16 of an inch thicker on the bottom of the keyhole to that of the top. After going through a few pads on the DA sander I think I now have it within 1/32. The transom now has two layers of 1708 which was tabbed into the hull with the second extended out another 3 inches. It went pretty good, but I have learned not to work in the sunlight as I almost really goofed up the first layer of 1708 as it started to kick within 15 min. However, I managed to get it down with no major air bubbles. Needless to say the second layer was done with my tarp on (glad it was only 80 outside today and not 105!!!).

I have also been concerned about my tank cover as it is 1/2in thick and nearly 7 feet long and 30 inches wide and is only supported by two 2x4s and the two bulkheads on each end. I noticed that the old one gave quite a bit. Granted I assumed the old one was the original and was nearly 15 years old, but didn't look all that bad. Also, when I laid in the new with no additional support it also gave a little. Therefore, I went ahead and glued 3/4 in ply to the under side of the tank cover tonight (see below photos). I plan on glassing the under side with 1708 (really like working with the 1708 vs. CSM when curves are involved). I also may lay an additional layer near my holes for the table post and the deck plate near my fuel sending unit. What do you guys think? I plan on finishing the deck with at least at least 2 layers of 1.5 oz CSM and don't want any gel coat cracks.





After adding the 3/4 ply the fuel lid stiffened up nicely.

Another topic... After doing all this work I am finding it really hard to think that I will put holes back into the transom for the step ladder. Therefore, I'm thinking on one of the over platform type like so

Windline Over Platform Telescoping 3-Step Ladder - Windline Marine TDL3 - iboats

Any thoughts/experiences? My swim platform does give a little so I plan on adding some glassed 3/4 in thick ply on the interior side of the top cap to stiffen it up.

Thanks!

 

[JASinIL2006]

Re: Is it worth it? '98 Larson 5.7GS DP Lower Transom Rot

I can't tell... where does the ladder attach?

Jim

 

[HalfFish5087]

Re: Is it worth it? '98 Larson 5.7GS DP Lower Transom Rot

The ladder would be attached on the top of the swim platform. Just like on friscos sea ray before he got the extended platform.

 

[JASinIL2006]

Re: Is it worth it? '98 Larson 5.7GS DP Lower Transom Rot

I better go re-read that thread... I would not mind finding a way to avoid the thing that led to the transom rotting last time...

Thanks!

Jim

 

[jsturvey]

Re: Is it worth it? '98 Larson 5.7GS DP Lower Transom Rot

That's a clever idea on how you re-enforced the deck lid over the gas tank.

 

[HalfFish5087]

Re: Is it worth it? '98 Larson 5.7GS DP Lower Transom Rot

Thanks JS. I took the advice of others and sat in a chair with my favorite beverage and thought about it for a minute. I was originally going to do a few extra 2x4s, but glad I went with the ply as it seemed to be easier to glass.

 

[jsturvey]

Re: Is it worth it? '98 Larson 5.7GS DP Lower Transom Rot

It's amazing now that kind of "thinking" can reveal solutions to problems. Lol

 

[HalfFish5087]

Re: Is it worth it? '98 Larson 5.7GS DP Lower Transom Rot

Guys I'm currently considering moving the boat. When I say move, I mean 160 miles worth. Is this a really bad idea considering that I have not put the stringers back in?



The boat sits on bunks, not rollers, on the trailer.

 

[StevenT]

Re: Is it worth it? '98 Larson 5.7GS DP Lower Transom Rot

If I owned your boat. I would not move it untill the stringers and deck are installed. Your trailer has leaf springs and no struts or shock absorbers like your tow vehicle. Your boat has a rough ride. Have you ever watched it in your mirror while towing? Without the weight of the engine, out drive, etc. The trailer will give your boat a much rougher ride.

 

[jbcurt00]

Re: Is it worth it? '98 Larson 5.7GS DP Lower Transom Rot

Yeah, risky proposition trailering it that far w/out deck & stringers..... Down the street, around the corner maybe.

Do you have it just on the trailer now? Or on a cradle? I scanned back & saw where you pulled the motor, but not where you built a cradle under the boat for the resto.....

If you trailer it that far w/ out the support of the stringers & the deck tying it all together, I suspect you'll get more of the gelcoat cracking you noticed under the outdrive to kick start this project.

 

[GT1000000]

Re: Is it worth it? '98 Larson 5.7GS DP Lower Transom Rot

You definitely run the risk of inducing more damage to the hull, especially since you still have the weight of the cap on there...

I might suggest, if you have to move before installing the stringers, to fabricate some type of bracing to help stiffen and support the hull...

The jig I built was for the placement and support of my stringers, when I was ready to install them, you could modify this set up to add the needed support...

I also used it to flip the hull when it was ready for refinishing...

Instead of the actual stringers, you could install some temporary 2"x4" stringers...

 

[Woodonglass]

Re: Is it worth it? '98 Larson 5.7GS DP Lower Transom Rot

Only if you can Brace it, Strap it, flip it and support it.!!!!

 

[HalfFish5087]

Re: Is it worth it? '98 Larson 5.7GS DP Lower Transom Rot

Okay, thanks for response guys. Guess the move will have to wait till I get the stringers back in.

 

[StevenT]

Re: Is it worth it? '98 Larson 5.7GS DP Lower Transom Rot

The jig I built was for the placement and support of my stringers, when I was ready to install them, you could modify this set up to add the needed support...

That's a serious Jig. Great job man!

 

[LS1powerhouse02]

Re: Is it worth it? '98 Larson 5.7GS DP Lower Transom Rot

This sure looks familiar. Just like you and Jim, I also discovered my transom was rotten and just like y'all mine was due to water getting in where the ladder was mounted.

Sadly I discovered mine shortly after buying my first ever boat. I knew absolutely nothing about boats but knew I wanted one. I found this nice looking 1998 Larson LXi 206 and drove about 5 hours to go look at it.

I did notice one "soft" spot in the floor but figured I could easily repair the floor if needed. Well I bought it on the spot and took it out that weekend. I noticed the first time climbing back into the boat that the ladder was loose. Once back on land I tried to address it only to realize the entire starboard side of the transom and much of the floor was rotten. I didn't get to take pictures during the whole process but I sure was relieved to find out the boat had fiberglass stringers with NO wood.

Just wanted to share a couple photos with you of my "fun."

the wife even got dirty!

I ended up paying a marine fiberglass company to do the transom and floor for me. And looking back now I wish I would have done it myself. They did a great job and I am happy with it but I am pretty mechanically inclined and with the help on this forum anything can be done. The guy that did my transom however decided to make a "mold" and poured a transom out of resin. No wood went back into the transom.

My boat is about 90% back together; I am lacking some hinges, gas struts and trying to figure out what to do with the inside sides of the boat (right now have the old carpet glued up there but looking to gel coat it.)

Sorry for the long reply but keep up the good work, it will be better than new when you are finished!

Brent

 

[JASinIL2006]

Re: Is it worth it? '98 Larson 5.7GS DP Lower Transom Rot

Nice looking boat, Brent! Sure looks familiar... we really lucked out with the fiberglass stringers and bulkheads, eh?

If you're looking for gas struts to support the sunpad, let me know. I replaced mine with some from an online vendor. PM me and I'll see if I can dig up some info on them. (If iBoats had what I needed, I would have bought them here, of course!)

Jim

 

[HalfFish5087]

Re: Is it worth it? '98 Larson 5.7GS DP Lower Transom Rot

Man it seems like forever. I had to do some out of town work for a bit and am finally able to get back on the boat project.

Brent, sorry to hear about the boat, but welcome to the club. Looks like the repair company did a good job. I like the web gelcoat!

Today, I was able to take apart the ski locker lid and cut and glass a new 3/4" piece of plywood to take place of the old one. I also was able to PB the old stringers back into place and here is where I feel like I have struck another wall. I guess its been too long cause I don't remember the starboard engineered stringer terminating almost 3" from the transom. The port stringer is only about 1 to 2 inches from the transom. I saved the tabbing and it was in fact the same distance before tear down.

So to the Larson owners out there, did you simply scab over void? Anyone else have any ideas? Is there a better way to do this?

I was thinking of laying in some cardboard to use as a mold and then building up with many layers of 1708. Thoughts? Of course after doing whatever, I then will fill the stringer back up with foam.

 

[JASinIL2006]

Re: Is it worth it? '98 Larson 5.7GS DP Lower Transom Rot

I had a gap, too. My stingers originally were tabbed with what looked like a few layers of some type of woven. I remember thinking that it didn't look like as heavy as I would have expected.

I put mine back in with a bunch of layers of 1708. It wasn't enough of a gap that foam was required, although it wouldn't hurt to have some in there.

Jim

 

[HalfFish5087]

Re: Is it worth it? '98 Larson 5.7GS DP Lower Transom Rot

Got the aft decking cut, bottom csm'd, screwed in and PB (not shown in pics) all the decking. I also made my pedestals for the captain chairs. Didn't come out to bad considering they were cut with a jig saw. What a day... Tomorrow, foaming and more PB. Its a faint light, but I think I see some.