My first - 83 Overnighter

[Merculator]

Hi I'm a new Grady owner. I picked up an 83 overnighter from a family member who had to get rid of it & I just happened to have a 225 Merc dying to be screwed to a new hull - the two were married this spring. I have a few problems I am hoping some of you can help with.
First question - Is the transom rated for this motor? (225hp / 460lbs)
Second Question - I have heard the transoms can have problems. I have noticed there is some flex on the top protion of the transom. The fiberglass also has some cracking along the seam on the inside - If I run a plate along the entire top, inside portion of the transom will it be enough reinforcment? Any Ideas on how I can strengthen the transom? Is it worth fixing? The lower protion feels solid.
I also found that there may be some water in the lower sides of the transom - I removed a fishfinder and water came from the screw holes. Should this be a concern? The boat does not appear to take on water.

THANKS!

 

[bdevlin5983]

First off, congrats on the new grady!

As far as the weight and horsepower of the motor, the Overnighter 204 is rated for 230HP on the rear end. I have a 225 E-Tec on mine asee no problems with the wieght, etc.

As far as a backing plate with the motor, I am a firm believer that with the newer heavier motors, its a good idea. I used a 45"x4" piece of aluminum "c" channel to span the inside of my motor well and to distribute the weight of the new E-Tec when it was put on, have had ZERO problems with cracking, bowing, etc.

As for the water in the transom, thats not so good. Make sure you get it sealed up good using 5200 for anything below the waterline(and above). A lot of people and sketchy mechanics will simply use silicone when installing a ducer or speed wheel below the waterline, but it breaks down, and allows the watert to soak your transom. IMHO, if there is water in the transom of an 83, I would be thinking about rebuilding it within the semi-near future.

Another thing to look at that seems to be a trouble causer in the transoms of the 80's 204's is the metal strip that covers the seal where the cap meets the hull along the top/back and under the motor mount. This was not sealed particulairly well from Grady, and should be removed and resealed with 5200 as soon as possible.

If you are still really worried about the transom's integrity, have a marine surveyor take a look at it, as they will be able to tell you what kind of water concentration you have back there, and give you some ideas for remedial steps for the present until you can get it fixed/rebuilt permanently.

Hopefully some of this was helpful, good luck, and have fun with your 204, they are great boats, built like tanks (ride that way too, lol).

Bren

 

[Grog]

I'd have the transom checked out by a professional. With its age and the fact that there is water in there I don't think it looks good for the transom.

 

[Merculator]

Thanks for the info - I plan on having a new tank fabricated, I was quoted a price of $490 which is the cheapest I found and by an experienced tank fabricator - I really dont think the transom is all that bad but still want to put an alum back up plate on the upper inside section. I was also wondering if I take the aluminum angles off the transom and pour some eppoxy if it would help? I dont appear to have any soft spots and it looks like only the gel coat is cracked along the bottom inside seam.

 

[striped bass]

The transom characteristics you cited indicate serious problems with the transom. Have a fiberglass specialist or a Grady dealership check it out right away. Your Grady is a candidate for a transom replacement. Also you may be lugging around substantially more weight than you realize with that water logged transom.

 

[Merculator]

I would post some pics but cant figure it out...lol

 

[richie rich]

If the lower portion is that wet, its not solid......If your not going to do a transom repair, I'd plate the whole thing, not just the top....It may be flexing at the top but if the bottom half is wet and you torque it up it may crack right under your new plate. It may last a while as is....but at some point in time the wood core needs to be replaced.

 

[Bread]

Gas Tank

Merculator,

That sounds like good price for a new tank. where is that marine service?

 

[cdwood]

Transom

Merc, if you see any of this.

Then you have this,

Not pretty I know, but very repairable if you love the boat and are handy with tools and willing to learn.

 

[cdwood]

more pics

The first pic was to point out the bow in the transom cap.

These are looking down at the transom with that alum. trim piece removed, notice the cracks that accompany the bow.

If you see that then you probably have this,

Again, if you can follow directions, you can get her back to this,

Let me know if I can help. Did the whole thing myself and I'm not in the boat business.

 

[cdwood]

One of these days I'll get this picture posting thing right.

hope these are looking down.

 

[sfc2113]

Wood where did you get that cabin cover? and if you dont mind me asking how much?

 

[BobP]

I'd advise the Op not to proceed on the new tank until he finds out how many grand it wil take to restore the transom and whatever else, for safety reasons.

Then he can decide to ebay it or start pouring it into the big hole in the ocean, once you start - there is no stopping! You know the big hole ? The one that never gets filled !

How's the motor condition?

 

[Strikezone]

cdwood, nice job on rebuilding that transom. Looks great!

 

[striped bass]

wood:

How about the deck and the stringers? What condition were they in?

Thanks.

 

[bdevlin5983]

Wood where did you get that cabin cover? and if you dont mind me asking how much?

Not to speak out of turn, but I have an almost identical helmstation cover on my 204C... I had it made by a local canvas / upholstery guy, cost less than $300.... I have waterproofing material on the inside of mine, and had it cut so that there is a gap of about 1 1/2" between the bottom of the cover and the deck (so that the helmstation can breathe)... Love it, it keeps everything nice and clean and dry! Totally worthwhile investment, and you can keep your drop curtains stored safely and out of the weather, without leaving your helm unprotected...

Bren

 

[sfc2113]

Wood where did you get that cabin cover? and if you dont mind me asking how much?

Not to speak out of turn, but I have an almost identical helmstation cover on my 204C... I had it made by a local canvas / upholstery guy, cost less than $300.... I have waterproofing material on the inside of mine, and had it cut so that there is a gap of about 1 1/2" between the bottom of the cover and the deck (so that the helmstation can breathe)... Love it, it keeps everything nice and clean and dry! Totally worthwhile investment, and you can keep your drop curtains stored safely and out of the weather, without leaving your helm unprotected...

Bren

thanks bren, was wondering how much it wouold cost, right now I am using a piece of tarp and some bungee cords as that is all I can afford after I just replaced my engines lift pump $1000.00
and sorry for stepping on your thread bdevline, Good luck with the transom. I will be doing mine next year before I repower. As it is showing signs as well. I want to head off any future problems I might have with the new e-tec 200.

 

[Merculator]

Hey, appreciate all the input!! I am having the tank done at Ram Welding in Farmingdale Ny I heard they do excellent work and I have a welder buddy who happens to knows them & he is hooking me up with a good price. I should have it in a few days. Another place I checked out is actually next door called Alloy Metal Works they also do tanks, resonable, and nice work, but I decided to go with Ram.

As for the transom - those are some pics! and a damn good job on the repair. I haven't gotten into the guts of the transom yet. I was hoping to make some alum plates and use the boat the rest of this season and get into the full repair next yr. I am still debating if it is worth it. What did you use for the core material? Did you consider using Seacast pourable transom repair? I was thinking of trying this method myself although I think a properly done wood core would be better.
How did ya do it?
Thanks!

 

[Merculator]

Here are some pics I posted...

http://picasaweb.google.com/Merculator