Yes engine stringers after the rest of the transom is removed and replaced. Measuring stringer locations as we speak. Replacing with 3 laminated pieces of Grade A 3/4 marine plywood overlayed with 3-4 layers of 1708.

The surrounding boxed in areas are all dry and solid, so thankfully it's just engine stringers!

Last of the necessary supplies showed up yesterday! 3M Corebond





Let the fun begin!

My parents came over for the weekend, so I guilt tripped my dad into building a jig for the engine stringers prior to cutting them out. He's an excellent fabricator and was a professional unlimited hydroplane driver & Journeyman machinist/fabricator/fiberglass guru, you name it he did it. Built Rolls Royce V-12's and raced the real thunderboats in the 60's/70's/80's(no capsule, real man stuff here). He also piloted the first successful TURBINE powered (2 turbines) unlimited hydro (U-95)! These Unlimited Hydroplanes make everything on OSO look like child's play. What can I say, I'm proud of my dad and was excited he could be part of this project! But I think I got the crappy end of the deal having to cut everything out, grind, glass....lol. Without further ado, here is what was accomplished over this weekend:







I got really lucky as all of the outer stringers under the back decking are 100% dry and solid. Just going to glass over with 1708 after appropriate prep





As you can see, iPhone was in a plastic bag! Fiberglass ruins things so gotta take some pics in the ziplock. Removed all this wet stringer plywood






Next weekend plan on tracing the transom cutouts (2) 3/4 pieces of marine plywood, cutting and sanding and hopefully laminating. My plan is to tab in the transom using Glassdaves layup schedule, but per his advice, using 3M Corebond instead of cloth and VE to bond the wood to the inner hull of the transom. Also using corebond for filets, bonding new stringers and whatnot.

Care package from Bob Madera!

Nice!! I got the Scorpion RR on my engine also!

No real progress this weekend as I've had a really bad cold for the past few days. Did decide its time for a Bravo HP transom assembly as I won't be adding full hydraulic steering until next summer. Thinking I might just be better off buying a complete new unit and saving the headaches of used and abused! Should have some good pics to come by weeks end.

Man that sucks you been sick! Hope you feel better!! I wont be able to add full hydraulic myself until next year and I have been wanting it for 3 years now! It's a nice upgrade for sure!!

Hey really appreciate it! Have the vitamin C & Elderberry in full effect!

Know this is off subject, however it is relevant since my father has taught me everything I know about boats. Here's some pics of his unlimited hydroplane days! He wasn't just a driver, he worked on these old warbird era v-12 allison/Rolls Royce monsters. Have many great memories of time spent at the race shop in downtown Seattle.





First successful turbine powered unlimited hydroplane U-95 twin turbine/First helmet equipped boat to shore communications, which sat in our garage for years until my dad donated it to the unlimited hydroplane museum.

Decided to finish most of the grinding today, and cutout the transom wood as well. Gotta love progress!














Used VE and sandwiched the two pieces of 3/4 marine plywood with 1.5oz mat. Weighed everything with a scale. Thanks glassdave! Probably going to Corebond this transom piece into the boat tomorrow if time allows. Rained all day today!? But it's been 70 days so I shouldn't complain.

Now it's time for a hot coat of VE on both the transom wood and inner transom skin. If using 3M Corebond, this is REQUIRED! I let it sit for 30-40mins, until it tacked up.







And now the fun begins! 3M Corebond is some thick stuff. Used a drill and cement mixing attachment to blend in the proper amount of MEKP. I am doing all my percentages using a scale(shown below, and measuring in Grams).





Harbor freight scale: