I am definitely going to do the leak test! I think I am going to replace the transom anyway. there are screws from previous depthfinders towards the bottom of the hull. according to PO it sometimes leaked down there, and when it did he removed the screws and put new sealant on them and put them back. the core looks to be two sheets of three quarter inch, should be easy enough to make a new one after I get all those giant rivets out. What's the best way to remove the large solid rivets anyway?
Would it be better to do solid rivets than gooped up SS bolts and locknuts in a transom replacement? I already have an air hammer, never done rivets before though. these ones look huge.
I have a 110 dollar gift card to Lowes, which is where I will be buying more plywood and getting the foam for the floor. I plan on taking the boat to the self serve car wash to clean it up before replacing the foam and all the wood, I am tired of getting dirty while working on the boat.