' 95 268 Islander

['84_241_Offshore]

Ignore the username.
I currently own a '95 Islander powered by a pair of '05 175 Evinrudes.
The edges of the transom are showing some "wear".
I'm 64 and not interested in getting another boat, I'd like to get a few more years out of this one. It's my 3rd Grady and the best yet, except for the transom.
I was considering lifting the engines off the boat and adding a piece of aluminum across the outside of the transom maybe 1/2-1" thick and bolting the engines through the aluminum and the transom and possibly adding a piece of aluminum inside the transom where I can.
Looks like there's an aluminum "cap" on the outside edge ot the transom and a separate pc of Plastic/fiberglass on the inside. Anyone have further insight on this?

 

[Hookup1]

There a countless posts on GG about transom problems. Where are you located? Put some photos up of why you think you have a transom problem.

I'm sure the aluminum bang cap under the motors is chewed up. Not necessarily a problem. Is the transom swollen under the bang cap? Any fiberglass cracks above or below the rub rail in the back? Swelling/cracking around tie down rings? Any movement of the motor(s) when pressure or power applied? Any vertical cracking outside engine mounting?

Before you come up with a "patch" you need to determine just how bad it is. Just because they are wet (and most GW of this vintage are) doesn't mean they are falling out tomorrow. There is a large aluminum channel in there already.



This is what they look like when they tear out.

 

['84_241_Offshore]

There a countless posts on GG about transom problems. Where are you located? Put some photos up of why you think you have a transom problem.

I'm sure the aluminum bang cap under the motors is chewed up. Not necessarily a problem. Is the transom swollen under the bang cap? Any fiberglass cracks above or below the rub rail in the back? Swelling/cracking around tie down rings? Any movement of the motor(s) when pressure or power applied? Any vertical cracking outside engine mounting?

Before you come up with a "patch" you need to determine just how bad it is. Just because they are wet (and most GW of this vintage are) doesn't mean they are falling out tomorrow. There is a large aluminum channel in there already.

View attachment 38163

That's a great pic, any more picks showing the inside of the transom?
Mine is cracked right at the ends of the bang cap, maybe I can through bolt something to strengthen it...
Yeah, there's movement, I try not to look at it....

 

[Hookup1]

That's a great pic, any more picks showing the inside of the transom?
Mine is cracked right at the ends of the bang cap, maybe I can through bolt something to strengthen it...
Yeah, there's movement, I try not to look at it....

Do some searching here on GG. If you have movement have a pro look at it. That is worst case pre-failure. I have posted frequently on this subject under hookup1 and transom. Pictures and location will help others help you.