transom project

Noticed after the roundup that I had transom problems. It was cracked and moving.. not good. Talked to Wacker and he was kind enough to offer his help and barn to do the job. I took last friday off and headed to Ingleside, unloaded the majority of stuff off of the boat and headed to Seguin. We made quick work of de-rigging motors etc.. and at first glance thought we would be doing a repair. Saturdaymorning. we start poking, prodding, cutting and tearing.. we Then realized that there was maybe 3square inches of wood that was not sopping wet or rotten on the entire transom... Plan change ......The motors and bracket are coming off. This could have been a commercial for 3-M 5200. We pull the motors without issue and hook the chain hoist onto the bracket.. (after removing all mounting bolts) This thing won't budge.. After an hour we finally get a small prybar behind it and then a cold chisel, and then after pounding on a 6' prybar with a sledge hammer, it is still picking up the boat off of the trailer without moving. We get another 6' prybar on the other side and the 5200 finally releases the death grip on the bracket and it comes off. Now the fun part. we get to the task of cutting and grinding.
I am the fourth owner of this grady, so there is no telling what all was done over the years. We get through tearing all of the deck(that was not attached to the stern anyhow), glass, and wood. there was 1 sheet of 1/4in wolmanized plywood against the stern, then they layed in 2 sheets of 3/4in and finish nailed it all together then glassed it in... I forgot to add. each side was 1.5-2inches short of either corner and the void had epoxy poured into them. When we hit the corners with a grinder, water just poured out of both sides.. not good. We cut the stringers out of the way and ground all of the 1/4 down to clean fiberglass... Now we get to start laying it up..
Since the boat was originally designed for the OMC Sea-drives, we are going to add some braces to the transom and tie them all together... If the transom goes now it will take the boat with it. Here are some pics..
Wacker will get one more of the clean glass on the inside. . I will post it when I get it. I will keep yall up on the progress.......