Replace rotten transom on 88 Skier and reinforce for wedge?

[SS Llama]

The 88 Skier I recently bought should probably have about 1/3 of the plywood cut out and replaced due to the swim deck being used as a diving board by a herd of Elephants! At some point in its 21 years the port side bracket got loose and enough water got in to rot out the wood. Over more time the nuts/washers on the inside of the boat pulled through the fiberglass because all the wood was rotted out. I can take the blame for not digging far enough into the bowels to look for rot but that's besides the point for now. I had a little fun and repaired all that could of the really bad corner without pulling the gas tank. The starboard corner bracket was at least solid and it didn't seem like the wood was rotted out but I'll bet that there's a little there as well as behind the tank. I figured I could pull the tank and go for replacing as much as needed during the winter.

Here's what I'm wondering. If I'm going to tear apart the transom anyway, why not make it stronger and try to mount a custom manual wedge. There's a lot think about but with the given resources I would think it could be done. Is it possible? Inadvisable?

I've tried to find someone that's done this to an older model Skier but haven't found anyone. That itself could be answering my question!!

[JeffS]

I think there's a fair amount of engineering, both design and materials, that goes in to reinforcing a section of the boat to handle 2,000 pounds of downward force while pushing through water. And if you get it wrong, that wedge is going to pull out, possibly making a big hole in your boat in the process. Sounds like a really questionable idea to me.

[Baddog]

I agree, potential big holes and boat on the water are simply a cocktail that I wouldn't want to mix.

[tigercity]

If you have the skills to be replacing the transom, I am sure you can figure out what you need to add a wedge. I would use some 1/2 or 3/4 inch prepreg ( no wood ), and lots of woven e-glass. Add some gussets where you have room, and overlap it onto the gunnels really well. And get some good backing plates for the wedge. Kind of sounds like a fun project.

Edited September 2, 2009 by tigercity