thanks, the resto is going well, all the new core is in, but not all covered. Hope to complete that this weekend, and posibly even get to replacing the transom. I'm think part of the problem up here (where things freeze solid in the winter) is that that freeze and thaw cycle likely promotes/accelerates any water damage in the core, especially if it goes on for years and years. I also noticed the fin was broken off and re-attached at one point. Curiously it appears that the original attachment screws (still boken off it the original holes) were not stainless.