81 Sailfish project with uncommon transom area

[mleads310]

Hi guys, new to this site and will be starting a rebuild project on my new to me 81 sailfish with uncommon transom area. I had gotten this boat knowing that I will have to replace the transom, bulkheads and main stringers along with some gelcote repair in various locations. Its possible I will have to replace the outer stringers and remove foam in those areas. I'm new fairly new to fiberglass work (have done minor glassing on my current mako) but have never replaced a transom/stringer etc. Though I may not have all the terminology down as laying glass and certain parts of the boat,I am very handy and am more the type guy who once he physically see's it done..... I can do again without issues. Since its hard to be walked thru a repair project online, I'm hoping I can tackle this project with the help of the experts.

I'm currently in the process of removing all unnecessary items (wiring, fuel tanks, etc) that may get in my way of this rebuild. And planning on buying supplies from here within the next week or so. It will be a slow process from start to finish, but I plan on making it very easy for the next beginner to do the same to his boat as I will try to fill in the "gaps" of info and in between most rebuild pictures posted online. Its not to insult any ones rebuild post, but as a newbie to this myself, I have read several project threads and always walked away unsure of what exactly was done between pics etc. I'm hoping I can make it easier on the next guy.

My first major question is, where do I make the cut along the floor and transom on my boat. I know when cutting the floor out to leave a aprox a 4" lip to reglass "hangers" in order to attatch the floor back down. But in my particular boat I have a built in livewell aft of the motor well and am uncertain where the easiest cuts should be made in order to gain access to the transom. I basically want to cut the floor/livewell out so I can lift it out it one piece. I have attached some pics and the brochure on my model. I have since taken the motors off and can take more pics if needed.....FYI I haven't seen another sailfish online or in person with the factory option. I've only seen the notched transom sailfish with the " foldable" transom door. In fact when I called grady they said they never even included it into the 81 catalog and it was a "special order"? yeah exactly, just means its harder for me.

[mleads310]

sorry for the small pic size, not sure how to make them bigger?

[jacquesmm]

sorry for the small pic size, not sure how to make them bigger?

You took the image address from the thumbnail.
Open the full size picture by clicking on it then right click and select image address.

[jacquesmm]

here are your pics:





OK, it's a Grady White Sailfish.
Yes, Grady White sometimes made custom modifications.

The Grady-Whites are 3 parts boats:
- a hull with the framing
- a sole with a side liner and/or cabin liner
- a cap = deck

When working on a transom replacement, I like to separate the 3 parts. I recognize that it is a lot but it is the only way to get to the transom properly.
Other wise you must cut here and there then graft pieces together.
See the examples we show for a complete rebuild: Aquasport and Seacraft.

http://bateau2.com/howto/aquasport/index.php

http://bateau2.com/howto/seacraft/index.php

Another one of our tutorials shows a transom rebuild with a partial removal:
http://bateau2.com/howto/transom_repair/index.php
That last one is a Grady-White, maybe a Sailfish but the exact model doesn't matter, the principle is the same.

In your case, it looks like you could cut through the cap (deck) to just behind the first rod holder and all around that box in front of the splashwell.
I am afraid that the sole part is fiberglassed to the transom and it is almost certainly "mudded" (attached with putty) to the top of the stringers. You may have to cut a slice there too.
You see why I prefer to remove the whole thing.

I see inspection plates.
Check if the sole is welded to the stringers and is the sole fiberglassed to the transom?
is that box in front the motorwell part of the cap or part of the sole?

[jacquesmm]

BTW, looking at it again, that Grady-White in the tutorial is a Sailfish. You could use the same method he did use.
Don't forget to click on the "next" button at the bottom of each page to see the whole story.

[mleads310]

Okay so just to confirm the floor/deck is considered the cap? Or the sole? I thought the cap was the entire top half of boat.

Regardless I have no issue with making cuts to remove the floor and fish box,but I was hoping I was able to remove it as one piece because I don't believe I will have enough access to the transom area if I leave that Fish Box on there and only cut the floor around it. I will take a look tomorrow take some pictures and post them to see if underneath the fish box is mounted to the stringers in any way.

Thanks again

[jacquesmm]

What I call the cap is the deck with the gunwales.

Yes, I agree that you may need to remove that fish box.