Additional Info on Re-building Transom on Boat

[irishjim]

Thanks Guys for all your very valuable input. It confirms my opionion that a wealth of experience exists on the mysterious Web.

Further to this issue....I had the boat examined by a boat repairer (Geelong....Victoria) and his opinion was that the whole transom required replacement due to his assessment of the amount of movement. He also inpected the flooring (under carpet) and found several cracks which indicated a new floor is also required. The quote to have a new transom and floor was approx $3000 (using 3 ply treated wood to eliminate future rot).

In your opinion is this a reasonable cost versus the hassles of DIY.

Another option would be to trade the boat in for a good second hand boat....however, what dealer would give you much for a boat in this condition.

Your opinion would be appreciated

Regards - Jim

[blaze]

hi jim
sent you a pm with my mobile
cheers
blaze

[billfisher]

I think you have sumed it up. You are stuck with a loss either way. 3 K sounds reasonable for the work involved. It will be a huge task to do it yourself, especially if you haven't got any fiberglassing experience.

PS if you had bought a Polycraft you wouldn'y have had these worries!

[gavsgonefishing]

3000 sounds real good. Back to the original ques, is the boat worth it to you?

[cooky]

if you get a chance to post photos please do - would like to keep the cracks on the floor for future reference. An idea what to look out for.

[billfisher]

I my 17.5 ft boat I was quoted 3 K to do the transom alone. Without even looking at it they were keen to re-do the hull stringers, owing to the boats age. This would have added another 2 K. I didn't want to spend this on a boat I would probably upgrade in 2-3 years. But I didn't want to leave it unsafe either.
The Rot Doctor method only cost me about $300 (not counting removing and re-installing the motor). My boat has an all fiberglass floor. A section did go soft a while before I did the transom. It was a relatively easy job to cut a section out, reinforce it with more glass and then glass it back in using a lip made of wood around the hole. Having the floor up gave me a chance to reinforce the hull with extra layers of glass and wood. This was showing some softness in the same area after I change trailers to one with less keel support.

[SO70]

If you're a bit of a handy man, do it your self.
It will save you heaps.
I've done a few and its pretty easy
The best and easiest way is to cut the deck after the outboard well and take it off.
this gives you full access to the transom.