210 explorer transom rebuild

[Cleod4]

This is my first post so please bear with me. I have a 210 explorer and have rot in the transom. I have made cuts on both sides of the boat through the top cap, so that I can remove it to get at the transom from the inside. The cuts are a couple of inches in front of the boxes in the stern, around 18” from the stern. Can anyone give me advice on how to pull the top cap. My plan is to use a cherry picker, but there seems to be some adhesives between the hull and the top cap. Any advice would be appreciated! Thank you

[Capt. Bob]

First, what year is your hull?

Second, a photo or two would help better understand what you are doing.

To me, the "cap" on an EX includes the cabin. I don't think you need to remove that to rebuild the transom so....
A photo of what you have completed so far will help.

[Cleod4]

It is a 1992 Explorer with a hard top.



I made cuts where the blue tape is. I am hoping to lift off the part of the top cap that goes from the blue tape back to the stern.  I will post more/better pictures When I get a chance. hope this one gives a better understanding. Thank you

[RickK]

That's a big undertaking. I'll learn something from this project.

[mshugg]

Your planed cuts look like they’ll work.  There will be sealant holding the cap to the hull and bonding putty holding the deck to the stringers.  I doubt that you’ll be able to save the inner transom skin.  It’s quite thin and bonded to the transom, soId make cuts where the aft corner boxes meet the transom.  You can tab and fair the boxes in after you rebuild your transom.

[Cleod4]

I have never worked with or come across bonding putty. Does it need to be cut out before that section of top cap can be remove? Or can I pull it free? Thank you

[Capt. Bob]

Pretty tough stuff. As stated above, they used it to bond the deck to the stringer tops. Not a huge deal when you are re-decking and can demo the wood but in your case, you are trying to preserve that section of deck. Since you have the room to see the deck bottom and the stringer top at those spots you might use a tool (think saw/sawzall) to cut through the bonding.

Good luck.