hotrod53

Hi all, I have been receiving EMails from this site for a while and I finally decided to post. It looks like most of you have larger boats but your expertise would be helpful as well as appreciated. I'm restoring an aluminum mid 80's 16' Sylvan Sea Star, the transom and most of the floor is shot... then there is the motor... This boat belonged to my neighbor who I fished with on this Sylvan a time or two. The boat was a gift with the stipulation that my boys and I used it and he could take it out once walleye fishing when I got it back on the water. The cover went bad and water got in and ruined the floor, upon closer investigation I decided to take the entire floor and transom out and replace it. I'm waiting for spring since I have to work outside, but I'm currently compiling knowlege. This is my first boat (other than my 12" cartopper) but I am very mechanically inclined and ready to tackle the project. New floor, new wiring, new carpet, and new lower unit are all on the schedule. So far I had a new cover made, replaced the trailer tounge, new rims and tires, new lights and wiring. Regarding transom and floor... I hear multiple schools of thought on materials, exterior plywood, exterior plywood coated with resin, exterior plywood coated with 3M 4200, marine plywood, and marine plywood coated with 3M 4200 (4200 I think). First issue is that marine plywood is real hard to come buy, not to mention the price. I'm willing to brave the cost if it truly is worth it. An MMI Tech told me to just go to Home Depot and get exterion plywood and it would last 20 years. I found marine plywood but the places around here are wholesalers and wouldn't sell to me. Any advice would be appreciated.