Replace my transom in aluminum boat?

[Bob Bismal]

I have a 18' 1978 starcraft aluminum v hull with an 1978 115hp Johnson. I've never owned a boat before so I wasn't really sure what to look for when I was buying. I did have a couple Buddy's who I thought knew alot about boats look it over first (all said it wasn't that bad). Anyways I took the boat into Lockmans in Det to have the motor looked at. The motor checked out great but the hoses are old and need to be replaced. Then they looked at the transom and said they wouldn't do any work on the motor until I had the transom replaced because they were afraid it would break. They told me I shouldn't take the boat out until I get that done either. They don't do that kind of work there, so they weren't trying to sell me anything. Any tips for replacing a transom in an aluminum boat? The guys at the shop said I could get away with pressure treated wood instead of marine grade plywood sense that's what Starcraft probably put in there in the first place 30 years ago. Do I need to put anything on the plywood, doesn't look like there is anything but paint on it now. No kind of fiberglass epoxy or hard coating on there now, just paint. Any help?

Oh yea, anything I should know/watch out for when disconnecting the gas, steering and trim adjusting lines and cables?

http://www.michigan-sportsman.com/photopost/data/550/medium/IMG_0551.JPG

[frenchriver1]

Good luck if you are going to try to replace it yourself. My boat guy did mine over with pressure treated and it looks as good as new, but he did have to section part of the top trim area on the transom to get it to fit. It all depends on your skill working with wood...

[k8vol]

New types of pressure treated wood will Eat aluminum ! the old CCA pressure treated would work but the new types of treated wood has a problem with eating aluminum and zink so make sure to use the right thing or you may run into a problem. steve k8vol

[DangerDan]

After you get it cut to fit, I would set the new transom board in front of a furnace or salamander type forced heat to evaporate all of the moisture from the ply wood then cover it with epoxy (both sides & edges) to seal it prior to installation.

Good Luck