New Grady owner

[SS]

Hello just found this web site and already found alot of good info some I already had to deal with and other things I can see that will be in the furture I own a 85 256 trophy pro with twin 200 95 yamahas I bought in 9/07. I see Im not the only one thats had the fun through haul project, I pic mine up this week from the shop I had the mid sections on the engines replaced due to stearing arms almost rusted through and steering ram freezing up. But she,s a great boat and what a great ride and I like working on it.
Well heres a question for you guys I'm starting to see thin cracks in the transom and I made a custom dive platform for the rear and when I drilled out for the bolts I did find wet wood but not soft.I have a idea I would like to close in the transom and but a bracket on it with a door,I know this will change how the boat planes.Has somebody done this on here and what was you experance and what kind of coin am I looking at.

Thank you[/b]

 

[Grog]

The cracks may be the transom flexing which is NG. I never had a transom done but maybe $4K-5K or less if you can do it yourself. There's no use going any further if the foudation is shot. Brackets can range from $1K oto $3.5K all depends on what you want. A positive floatation bracket that has a decent size platform will run you the $3.5K.

 

[SS]

I've had a few people tell me finding wet wood in the transem is to be expected to a degree is this something others have heard.The cracks are small I was thinking of opening them with a dremal tool and using a 3 to 1 fiberglass resin and a shringe to fill the cracks and awl grip to touch up.

 

[BobP]

The moment wood becomes wet, it starts to deteriorate.

It will begin to loose stength while color remains normal looking. I can hand you a piece of 1/2 plywood that has been wet for a while, you will be able to snap it in two across your knee.

Then the wood will turn black, look like chars from a fire.

The wood has to be replaced and the new wood sealed properly to prevent contact with water.

Once the transom gets wet, there is no way to dry it out.

The applies to all boats, not limited to Gradys, with wood structural elements.

 

[Michigan Brian]

I agree

If you have wet transom wood you have trouble no 2 ways around it

it must be propely addressed for the safety of yourself and your passangers

 

[SS]

Thanks for the feed back ah the joy of boat ownership LOL