Has this transom been modified?

[peiserma]

I recently started two threads about "is this is a good engine" and building a jack plate because the engine is 25" shaft, my transom is 20".

I bought the engine and the seller helped me mount it. Just a few hours ago, actually. His reaction on seeing my transom was "looks like someone cut it down"

This being my first boat, this never occurred to me, since I know the V20 came with both 20" and 25" transoms. So I thought it was factory. I felt kinda stupid, but what do i know. I just smiled and kept my mouth shut. So I'd like to know your opinion, and is there a way to know for sure. I had to crop and scale down the picture and hope you can make it out. I can post more detailed pictures to photo bucket if needed. I can rtry to pry up that tan cover to see whats underneath.

I am installing a Vance jack plate to account for the extra shaft length. So I do not plan to do anything to this transom in the near term. But if, hypothetically, some fiberglass work needed to be done in the future, what's the possibility of closing off that transom so its back to 25"? Would it be strong enough if I glassed in some wood to the missing wedge-shaped area where the motor is, or would i need to rebuild the entire transom?

Thanks.

 

[garbubba]

Looks stock to me, but both of mine have the 25".

 

[THEFERMANATOR]

It could be stock as WELLCRAFT did a notch like that on some models, or some were cut down by the owners because they got a deal on a 20" shaft engine and had a 25" transom.

 

[bradford]

Looks stock to me. Mine was originally a 20" that someone glassed in some wood on the top, just didn't do much else as far as reinforcing. Surprised it lasted as long as it did. I would leave yours as is, provided your splash well doesn't have some kind of hatch cover or pie plate access in it that could sink you. If I were to try to fill it I would have a shop bend me an aluminum plate that fit over the entire transom cap into and outside of the splashwell and through bolt it like a lot of those who need a new transom will do sometimes to get a few more years out of them. Not the best, but a whole lot easier than replacing and raising an already perfectly fine transom. Someone with better glass experience might have a better option. Something to think about is removing the aluminum trim and glassing and painting/gelcoating the transom cap.