Assuming the decking and stringers are good, whats the pros and cons of cutting the top cap off (last foot or 2 of cap at rear) to replace a rotted transom as compared to lifting off the top cap completely??? Wouldnt liftin the cap be better just because ya can really see whats goin on with the boat as a whole? I've gotta project im startin and would really appreciate a little input from guys that have done either one of those procedures before.
1997 gambler intimidator
Some brands of boats just don't come apart well. Cutting the top cap off near the back is the only option. The problem with this is now you have a joint in your topcap that you have to bond back together and get refinished to match the original gel and or flake. This task is beond the relm of many fixer uppers at home and requires the expertice of a good glass shop.
On the other hand SOMETIMES the top cap can be removed and reinstalled without any major topcap cosmetic repairs. As when I did mine only a slightly modified transom trim cap was made and there were no other visible areas of repair.
Larry Fitzgerald
2024 Tracker V-175 /115 Merc
2021 Silverado/ 4 Banger
unless the boat is completely glassed together or bonded some how then i think you might as well pull the whole cap. i just put mine back on a few days ago and it wasnt bad taken it off or puttin it back on. it would have been way more work to cut it and then have to glass it back together and match gel coat and everything.
pull it off,one less repair to have to make ( spraying gelcoat that will not match)
most are fairly simple to remove
If you can pull the whole cap your better of doing it then. Depends on how rotten the transom is you could have a hidden mess if you only cut the back half off the top cap. Your stringers may be shot and if they are more then likely the flotation foam is junk.
thanks for the input guys... thats the route im goin (takin off cap)... I think it will make for a better finished product anyways
1997 gambler intimidator
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