TOPIC: Glastron GT

How hard is it to get to the transom of a 1980 Glastron GT 150?

a chain saw would work. lol but I think you would have to split the deck and hull, maybe you could do it from the back outside. if the stringers and floor are ok. just my thoughts. greg

The only good way I have seen to get to the transom is to split the cap from the hull. If you are looking at a boat with a bad transom it almost certainly has bad stringers, because glastron used to use an open celled floatation foam that absorbed water like a spong.

Here's how we rebuilt the transom in a GT160. It's really the only way it can be done.

www.nautilusrestorations.com/1974glastrongt160.html

Thanks Jan, perfect!

Beautiful restoration on that boat!!

Looks like a lot of fun!! Cal - you still in if I get it? I can do all the bull work ripping stuff out by myself, but I will need a "glass" man. It will probably be easier redoing the interior with the top off anyway. Looks like I just found my winter project.

Excellent work as usual Jan.

Go get um Cal!

Bob

OK Mark, I'm in. Getting rid of all my old parts and winding down but still want to be active. Just can't do all that climbing around and under the bow stuff anymore.

Thanks Cal! I'll have my daughter climb in the tight spaces. I'm not as svelt as I used to be.

I will let you know what I find out about the boat. I am asking him for more info to help the price drop!!

Okay, just a question from a newbie to all of this. How exactly is a transom constructed on a fiberglass boat and what are the main reasons a transom would fail? I am learning now that even though a boat may be made of fiberglass, it still has a lot of wood in it. Interesting stuff. Makes me very happy that my Pawpaw ' s boat has always been stored out of the weather.

Most transoms are sandwich plywood between layers of fiberglass. The outside back is what you see, usually glass with gelcoat. That is glued with resin to the plywood and then the inside portion is coated with another layer of glass to seal it up. Whenever a hole is drilled into the back of the transom whether it's for motor mounts, depth finders, speedometer or any accessories the seal integrity is compromised and water eventually creeps in. Once the wood is wet it begins to rot. Over years the moisture eventually spreads through the entire transom or floor and weakens it to the point where it is no longer safe or able to support the engine. Had a nephew that barely made it to shore with his family after his 115hp Merc ripped the transom apart. Seems like once the water is there it never dries out...ever! Some are easier to get at than others. Here are two different boats I've done. One was a partial transom that I was able to dig out from the top, the other had to have the topside of the boat pulled off.

Definitely have to "pop the top" on a GT-150 Cal, there just isn't enough room to get at it otherwise. And as stated, I'll bet you breakfast that the stringers (3) are bad as well. Glastron also did a lousy job of putting drains in the right places, they were too high up off the bottom allowing water to lay up under the floor.

Here's my project on one you might find usefull;
www.fiberglassics.com/fiberglassics-forums/home/member-projects/new-project-71-glastron-gt-150#31614

I agree with Cal regarding wet wood in transom. My boat sat in dry storage for 6 years...and when I tore the transom out, the wood was still wet behind those layers of glass! I will remember this when I do my new transom.

The GT is not MY project. Got a friend who's negotiating for it and wants my assistance. Probably be a winter project if he gets it.