back from the dead (1987 sunsport)

[Okie Boarder]

Looking good! I kept the bilge area up front open too, so I could put ballast down there. I have a nearly 2' square hatch in the floor just in front of the engine...really nice for access.

[sybrmike]

Nice progress. I also made a floor hatch between the doghouse and the ice chest - easy bilge access and where one of the ballast pumps go.

As far as stainless/aluminium plates on the transom - you'd have to be sure to bed it in solid and fillet/feather the edges really well. Metal plates don't flex like plywood & will have a "hard" edge that could lead to point stress cracking.

[project_sunsport]

Thanks Guys. It feels good to have the bulk of the wood and fiberglass work behind Me. I am going to cut out that "hatch" area after I get the cap back on. I want as much access as I am allowed between the doghouse and the icechest.
Okie I have a picture of Your stringers on My desktop as a reminder of what a quality should looke like. I'm not saying that mine look as good as Yours , but they are definately closer than They were in 1987.
Sybrmike thanks I think I'll stick with the original design. I dont want to create another issue. I guess the original problem was with the foam holding water , and not the wood itself.