Transom Glastron HPV-175

[stunmun]

What options do I have to repair this transom? The motor is a Mercury Black Max 175 HP. Will my motor fly off of the boat if I was to take the boat in the water in its current state? Will I need to take the top portion of the boat to do the repairs? Im sorry I am very new to this but very handy with my hands. I just bought this boat a few weeks ago and ready to dig in and get ur done. What should I do to get this project started? Thanks! Here are the exterior pics:

 

[stunmun]

Re: Transom Glastron HPV-175

And here are some interior:

 

[Woodonglass]

Re: Transom Glastron HPV-175

Welcome to iBoats!

Need more info!!! What year is your boat? Does it have a HIN plate on the outside of the transom that tells you the HP rating for the boat? Could you post pics of the transom from a little bit of a distance? Pics of the entire boat?
Based on what I CAN see the Aluminum bracket that is on the boat now is NOT original. It was placed there to reinforce a WEAK transom. If you drill some 3/8" holes on the inside down low on the transom about 3/4 of an inch deep and check the shavings, I'm pretty sure you're gunna find dark brown damp wet shavings which will indicate a wet and soon to be rotting transom. This will mean it will need to be replaced. I am not sure yet, but I would bet that the Motor is oversized for that boat. More answers and more investigation is needed.

 

[Cadwelder]

Re: Transom Glastron HPV-175

Do need better pictures but you're fine on HP, I'm familiar with them, you' re about maxed out but not over the rating. 185 to 190 range for HP.

Can't say 100% but I don't think that plate is original either. You do have some pretty serious cracks going on. Take Wood's advice with holes. (don't go all the way thru)

 

[stunmun]

Re: Transom Glastron HPV-175

Ok, here are some pictures of the entire boat a few of the rear and front. I'll drill a few holes and take some core samples and post them here in the morning. I do believe the steel plate was added after the fact and it does look like a previous owner did some work on the transom. If you notice in some of the previous pictures it does look like the wood on the top of the transom is still good. It looks like previously the transom was repaired. A few days ago I put the plug in and ran the hose and filled the hull full to see if water would seep from the cracks. I had a few drops from the rear of the starboard side. The drops were in intervals about 20-25 seconds apart. I thank you guys for giving me some guidance and instructions to help me with this project. I'll post the pictures of the shaving early in the morning.

REAR OF BOAT

SIDE VIEW

REAR

SIDE VIEW

FRONT VIEW

 

[stunmun]

Re: Transom Glastron HPV-175

A few more pictures:

INSIDE

OUTSIDE

INSIDE

INSIDE PLYWOOD

 

[Woodonglass]

Re: Transom Glastron HPV-175

I researched your boat on the web and it IS rated for that motor so that is GOOD! The bad is, that plate is NOT factory and your transom, In my opinion, is NOT safe! IF water will Seep out of the cracks like you say, then the crack goes all the way through the transom and therefore the structural integrity of it has been compromised. Due to the way the boat is constructed you have two ways to approach this repair IMHO. One Use Seacast, Nidabond, or Arjay to POUR in a new transom,(you can search to forum to see how this is done) or De-Capitate the boat and replace with wood. One thing to consider is, IF the transom is in this bad of a condition then the chances are pretty good that your stringers are also in bad shape. If you want to ensure that your boat is Safe and Sound I would Decapitate her and rebuild her. If not, then start looking for another boat. That is just MY opinion. Others my have other ideas

 

[stunmun]

Re: Transom Glastron HPV-175

I may try what you suggest pour a new transom for now and then do the decapitation later. I am a fisherman here and participate in a lot of tournaments so most of the time I will be just moving from point A to point B. My last resort was to pull the top off.

 

[Woodonglass]

Re: Transom Glastron HPV-175

One more thing. Below Deck there MAY be foam. If so it MAY be Waterlogged which could be causing excessive weight for the boat. Have you noticed if it's riding LOW in the water or listing to one side???

 

[stunmun]

Re: Transom Glastron HPV-175

Yes both sides have foam. I haven't had a chance to put in the water yet, just got it a few weeks ago. I'll check the stringer and put some pictures of it in the morning. Man, I really like the look of the boat and feel like it was a wounded dog that I brought home to take care of and really would hate to put it to sleep.

 

[Woodonglass]

Re: Transom Glastron HPV-175

EVERYTHING is fixable. Just takes Time, Money, and Effort. You will get all the Help you need here on the forum. If you are willing to put forth the three afore mentioned items you'll have a seaworthy boat that you can enjoy for years to come.

 

[stunmun]

Re: Transom Glastron HPV-175

OK, after a little research it seems as if Seacast is the better product in my own opinion of the 3 you suggested. They claim Seacast has almost triple the strength of marine plywood, it's waterproof and does not absorb water, it does not rot and it floats! It maintains resiliency at freezing temperatures and does not creep at elevated temperatures and has excellent impact resistance! As you notice the back of the transom of my boat has the protruding curves. I am wondering if I could I create a form or a cast in the back of my boat and pour it and mold the entire rear of the boat to give it the strength without pulling it apart? Will this add too much weight compared to plywood and expoxy? As stated previously I am new to restoring and would rather take advise instead of trying to reinventing something. Let's say I poured the Seacast how will I hide the cracks on the exterior side of the boat. Is there some type of Gel Coat or expoxy that I can cover the cracks and then paint to prevent it from cracking? I really do appreciate your advise and your expertise.

 

[stunmun]

Re: Transom Glastron HPV-175

I cannot wait til the sun comes up and drill them holes on a nice spring saturday morning with a cup of coffee in my hand.

 

[KnightWolf]

Re: Transom Glastron HPV-175

From what I have heard sea cast is much heavier than using ply. Archbuilder used it to redo stringers and transom in a 16' nescher. you can see his build in the finished projects.

 

[Cadwelder]

Re: Transom Glastron HPV-175

I really don't think your boat is a good canidate for Seacast or any other pour in things. It appears the hull integrity as been comprimised, there for your inner skin is no longer in good shape. This one needs to have the cap removed and transom repaired properly. It's take some time, but I've done plenty of them (bass boats are my thing). Go ahead and do it right, so you don't have to worry in the future.

That boat will have a lot of stress on it with the max HP, therefore your transom needs all of it's orginal strength. Those metal plates are saying "fix me right, please"

 

[Woodonglass]

Re: Transom Glastron HPV-175

After further thinking a reading CW's reply I tend to agree with him. Since your transom is Cracked ALL the Way through I too believe you will need to do a complete transom restoration. NOT what you wanted to hear BUT... if you want to ensure that your boat is Safe and Sound I believe it IS the only way.

 

[stunmun]

Re: Transom Glastron HPV-175

Yeah, I spent most of the morning with a jig saw opened the floor and found some rot but, mostly under the consoles. The stringers seem to be still good in most places. The transom is very hard to see. I drilled a few holes but could not find any rot. It looks as if the previous owners may have done some repairs. My friend is bringing his crane to pull the motor and I am going to pull the top off and do it right. I am thinking of taking a weeks vacation and try to finish it in 1 week. Now I noticed most transoms are usually flat with mine I have a few angles. I am confident I can do it. Thanks for all the help.

A few more pics of some of the rot I found this morning.

Termite found eating my boat

 

[Yacht Dr.]

Re: Transom Glastron HPV-175

stunmun..

Its gone..Its all gone..

Total resto is on your plate..is it worth it to you ?

There has already been a hack job to this..plus the Mites.. All of it is Done .. period.

Oh..and that hackjob on that bilge pump ... erm.. that thing is a little High in the bilge ( screwed or glued to the trans ? ) .

Good luck with this thing ..

Sorry..and I might be looking at it wrong.. but ..

YD.

 

[stunmun]

Re: Transom Glastron HPV-175

Yeah after I did a little more thinking and my fishing season just starting I think I am going to abandon the repairs on this boat. I only paid $600 for it and Im sure I could find a boat for a few grand that would be a whole lot safer. The great thing is I learned quite a bit about boats and such. I also am very impressed with the amount of responses and help I received from everyone of you who contributed. I am in the technology business and visit many various forums. I must say this is one of the best forums I've had the pleasure being on. Yeah for real that bilge pump is really high up on that transom. Well I may come back with another project for another boat soon. Peace out and thanks for all the help.

 

[Woodonglass]

Re: Transom Glastron HPV-175

Put it on CL for $750 as a Project Boat! Let em work on ya for $600. You'll get your money back.