71 IMP Transom Repair

[71ImpSantee]

I bought a 71 Imp Santee and all and all the boat seams to be in great shape.

However I removed the motor cover and seating in the back to access the fuel tanks and noticed the eyelets on the transom were cracking. I bought this boat to bea ski boat.

Please give any help would be appreciated...picture did not come out very well camera had problems with the different colors in the fiberglass.

Whats the best way to handle this?

I also attached a picture that shows a crack below the eyelet

[dnshiftbr]

I would start by removing the bolts to check the transom for rot. I just did this on a 74 Sleekcraft and had to replace the entire transom!!! Didn't take too long, and I feel a lot better knowing that my pump won't run through the hull!!!

[PAR]

Yep, it appears you're transom is soft. Since you're I/O powered, it complicates the repair considerably, but basically you have to replace the internal core of the transom, which will be two layers of 3/4" plywood. Water has gotten in, though the transom plate (where the drive holds onto the boat) and around other penetrations through the transom (like those bolts).

Since you have to remove the drive, you should replace the bellows, shift cable, raw water hose, check the hydraulic hoses for leaks and of course all the seals replaced. For what it's worth, about half of all the sinkings on I/O powered boats is from leaking bellows.

Use the search tool and look up previous threads concerning transom replacement. It's common issue with older boats and one addressed many times before, so there's lots of information available.

You're probably tempted to just use a big old backing plate of something, to reinforce the towing eyes. Trust me, if the core is soft enough to permit the outer 'glass skin to crush, then a backing plate will cut make a bigger crushed area.

[mike Bonwill]

I just fiinished removing wood rot out of my formula 233. Also an IO I was able to acess the rotted areas though the outdrive opening. I used a pourable polyester resin. For more info on the products go on www.fiberglassservices.com