1997 Islander 268 Transom Rebuild Project

Hookup1

Hookup1

GreatGrady Captain
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Oct 16, 2007
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Age
71
Location
Cape May, NJ
Model
Islander
Committed this weekend to rebuilding my transom. Been watching it for 10 years. Finally time. Some flex on starboard side. Cracking under rub rail. Swollen transom under bang cap. Cracking around hold down u-bolt.

Both engines electrically/mechanically disconnected from the boat. Four bolts on each engine hold them in. Got steel shipping frames from Robbie at Bluewater to hold the engines while I do the reconstruction work. Replacing plywood with Bluewater Coosa Board. Stringers suspect too.

Star corner 1.jpeg
 
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Sorry that you're doing this. But you've done well for a nearly 30-year old boat. Hoping you'll post pics along the way. My boat might be there some day. I do what I can to not be, but time and water...
 
i look forward to seeing how this progresses
 
Projects are always easier if you can get someone else to do them for you! I'm talking to a few guys to see if it will work out.

UPDATE: I spent 2 hours today with a local shop on the boat going over my transom project. I was very impressed. Should be able to start on it by the end of the month. They are 20 minutes from me. Owner agreed to let me work closely with them to document the process. Not intended to be a YouTube instructional video - just a heavily discussed photo series. Will be a very informative thread for all 268 Islander owners.
 
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Stephnic said:
Young’s Fiberglass did my Islander it was perfect. Great shop and great owners
Click to expand...
I had your input on Young's. I met with them a few years back (Danny?). Talking to Joe at Signature on a strong recommendation from a shop that uses them a lot for transom problems! We'll see!
 
Hookup1 said:
Committed this weekend to rebuilding my transom. Been watching it for 10 years. Finally time. Some flex on starboard side. Cracking under rub rail. Swollen transom under bang cap. Cracking around hold down u-bolt.

Both engines electrically/mechanically disconnected from the boat. Four bolts on each engine hold them in. Got steel shipping frames from Robbie at Bluewater to hold the engines while I do the reconstruction work. Replacing plywood with Bluewater Coosa Board. Stringers suspect too.

View attachment 39415
Click to expand...
Was that 2" of unreinforced filler? doomed from the beginning...
 
SkunkBoat said:
Was that 2" of unreinforced filler? doomed from the beginning...
Click to expand...
That filler looked like NC parking lot sand mixed with some binder. It was heavy, rock hard and brittle. No reinforcing. Sat on top of transom wood and filled up to the aluminum L-bracket. Some of that slop was poured around the stringer connection too.

This is a starboard side inside view. Lower engine bolts. Well in front of engines hides the aluminum L-bracket and top engine bolts. You can see how the transom swelled and popped the bolt in. You can also see how both stringers are cracked at the top. Center stringer cracked too. The aluminum L-bracket has 90 degree pieces welded to it. These look like they bolt to the top of the outboard stringer. This supposed to give more strength to the top of the EuroTransom. Not working so well on my boat. I could see them but no pictures yet. In any case - it's time!

Starboard 2.png Center.png
 
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