you can do either but powder coat Will
hold up better.

But it’s a lot easier to repair paint over powder coat.

Congratulations I looked at that ad a bunch of times while it was up that boat is bad a**. My dad picked up the old “Manhattan Express” flat deck in August and funny enough one of the first things I said standing in the barn in NY looking at it was “man this thing is old school … we should put sixes on it”

Well, snagged up some ssm v’s and extension boxes locally. Wanted to save for 6’s but these basically fell in my lap. Figured I’d run these with these motors and when I do 6’s I’ll build bigger hp engines.

I guess let the fun begin..

https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...aa556569a.jpeg
https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...6bfce0fbb.jpeg
https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...80c917108.jpeg
https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...f292db5de.jpeg

Looking good! Hope to see you at a spartan run this season.

Welp.. started tare down.. it’s a good thing I did..
https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...caf9fec717.png
https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...dcb667016.jpeg
https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...344c5d23c.jpeg
https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...870be24b4.jpeg


transom is toast. Had a feeling it was, but glad I found it out now obviously than down the road. Boats already on its way to North Carolina to get it replaced. Thinking about going koosa this go around after talking to a few guys but we’ll see. Only 82 days til spring! 😂

Nobody in Jersey.....Who are you using in NC?

Good luck on transom. When I started on mine it ended up being stringers also!!!! Expensive but well worth it. I replaced it all with Coosa

Man hate to see that!!! what was the main deciding factor to not go back with wood? I think im going to use wood for my 24' excalibur from reading.

I got my buddy doing me a huge favor. He has guys who build Carolina sportfishing boats down there that are gonna help him get it done.

I think it’ll be worth it also. Only thing he mentioned was the “screw retention” isn’t as good as the wood. But I think everything structural on the transom will be thru bolted obviously.

I haven’t 100% decided yet but from what I’m hearing it’s just what you do if you never want to touch it again. Which is how I’d like to do this boat lol. My Pantera everything I replaced with wood but we epoxy sealed EVERYTHING on that boat. It’s also a lot lighter than wood.

I did wood, my fiberglass guy said don`t do Boosa. He does 10 transoms a year so I took his advice.


https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...29fe5cb9aa.jpg
https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...2b592c8e72.jpg
https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...d6c20bdf3f.jpg
https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...63ca3196d0.jpg

Guess Im at a loss, why wasn't the new to you boat checked for moisture..........

hell yeah that looks good. My old glass guy was against it also. I’ll have to make a decision some time this week.



it was. There were a few questionable spots but I wasn’t overly concerned knowing what I know now. I knew I’d need to atleast fill the holes to swap drives and gimbals that I want to do anyways.

Man if you are doing the transom just set it up for #6s.

Going to be sweet when she's all restored, upgraded, and customized!

I know I really am leaning towards doing that. Even if I don’t have my hands on the drives right away. It can give me some time to sell the SSM stuff. I think putting sixes on it will just be the better choice in the long run for maintenance and re sale. Not that I’m looking to sell it anytime soon.

Few updates..
https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...0f555f24f.jpeg
https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...6445175d3.jpeg
https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...9769660b3.jpeg
https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...29e13ecef.jpeg

https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...2ba7ec223.jpeg
https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...7d5d54acd.jpeg

old transom core cut out, glass grinded and ready for new core! My buddy and his guys are kicking a$$. Going to end up doing coosa. Should have a new transom ready for paint this week!

The more rot!
the easier it is !!

You didn't waste any time ! Dove right in....love it.

why are you sanding down that much the outside transom?

That’s the truth! Some spots were worse than others.

damn straight! Spring is gonna be here before we know it!

he’s getting all the highs/lows out of it. It’s going to get painted regardless and honestly the way these guys are working im not asking any questions.. they had the transom cut fit and glued in a day and a half..

https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...6847ee318.jpeg
https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...6fb20c725.jpeg
https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...4eabdc024.jpeg
https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...ce170e351.jpeg
https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...f3f008d84.jpeg

Looks like we’re gonna replace the center stringer as well it was questionable and at this point why take any short cuts.

Now is the time to make the center stringer beefy/taller to reinforce the transom


before :

https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...c89eb81c22.jpg



After:

https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...5a4694202c.jpg
https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...2bbc3095b8.jpg

I`d also recommend placing the tabs horizontal.



https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...f21e9b5a89.jpg

Dan,

Not knocking or agreeing in any way. Just curious... I know you changed a lot that could have contributed during this transom rebuild, but did mounting the tabs horizontal change the boats turning behavior at all?

Thanks. Brad.

Brad, are you sure you wanna go off topic here?
Kevin and Phil comment like twice a year but they will get mad and I don`t need that kind of trouble.
Think it thru .

Edit: to be safe I`ll text you .

Oh boy… ima stay out of this one..

although I will say I do have 380 tabs.. im not sure how much that changes it but mounting them flat may almost look awkward.. not sure about how it will perform though.

in other news, glassed in!

https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...c319923e4.jpeg
https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...00ef675d6.jpeg
https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...1b65ca29c.jpeg

I know nothing about fiberglass work but that transom job looks badass!!

Mine were custom and pretty big (thans again Mike I zoom!!)
They actually did something when they were level besides put a hole in the water . 6`s and 1000# blower motors and the weight of a flat deck, they needed to be level to work.

https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...47cbe3c765.jpg

Six's- Six's--- Six's :evilb:

Are those all screws and washers to "clamp" the new transom while it cures?

yes it’s to clamp and get all of the air out from in between the transom

Few more updates..

https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...e9344ec6b.jpeg
https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...a7ca18a9d.jpeg
https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...ab8f33a10.jpeg
https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...2ad9d44b7.jpeg

transom filled, glassed, ready to be sanded and primed.

Next project… since the old hatch had some rot as well we were going to try and re-core it but it makes more sense to build a new one…
https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...55400ce53.jpeg
https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...a96406005.jpeg
https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...3c01fa753.jpeg
https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...aa8cee985.jpeg
https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...fec8ef1a7.jpeg
https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...bc18371f7.jpeg
https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...b50118fa4.jpeg
https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...100a480aa.jpeg


only thing I’m bummed about is the custom paint that the old hatch had. Will definitely make a cool shop ornament lol. Just have to figure out what to do on this hatch. Definitely going black base but would love to do something custom. I don’t think upholstering it is the way to go on this boat even tho it is practical. I won’t do decals.

Damn bro. You are not F’n around!

Who's your neighbor in the shop?.....

Springs around the corner! Honestly tho I can’t take any credit. I have a friend doing most of the work with a few workers down in NC. I’m as surprised of the progress as anyone.

The Apache? Banner boat clone

Whoever that shop is you need to have them on speed dial!. I've never seen any glass work go that fast before. You posted engines coming out on the Dec 28th and transom getting faired out on Jan 12th. That is incredible!

There’s no grass growing under your feet, looks like the Pantera not gonna get used much this summer.

I know thats what I'm worried about lol. The pantera is super easy to just dump in the water and go. We'll take that out when everyone takes out the jet skis and what not. Its a great river/bay boat. The cig will be for long runs/ocean runs. Most likely not an afternoon cruise boat unless i find a lift to keep it on.

Would you ever think about selling it?

Not unless I got stupid money for it.

seen her posted up outside the shop yesterday when coming home from morehead!!! going to be a cool setup for sure!! dont sell the pantera!!! I need motivation for my excalibur lmao