Transom repair

[Nightshift]

My friend has a fiberglass boat that the transom is broke on it. He pulled it down from his dads and he got home, he noticed the bottom of the motor mount had pushed through the transom. The top had pulled pretty far back and cracked. We found this problem when we were going to work on the motor. Has anyone here had any luck getting these repaired and and as to how much he might expect to spend. It looks to me like the whole transom will have to be repaired. We are in southeast wisconsin and looking for someone sorta local.

Thanks.

[REW]

The fix is simple.
1. Cut out the old transom - from gunnel to gunnel - and top to bottom.
2. Fabricate a new transom, transom liner, with composite, fiberglass, or other materials.
3. Paint to match.

The typical cost for this operation in a good shop will be 2500- 3500.
Unless you have a reasonably new boat - i.e. less than 10 years old, this is proably the time, to drop the boat in the bone yard, and get a new boat. Of course, you can get a new "used" boat as well.

If you go through your existing boat - completly stip the boat - all electronics, motor, depth finders etc. you can transfer all of these things to another boat.

Look carefully at any new - used - boat - to insure that you are not buying a similar problem.

If you check around - you can often cut a pretty good deal - for a boat only at a marine store. Lots of dealers really only want the motor for trading purposes. In general - there can be some pretty good values in some older; but very sea worthy boats.

Take care
REW

[Crusher23]

I repaired a transom on a friends boat that had exactly the same problem. He spent about $600 - $800 on materials and there was a group of four of us that spent an average of three nights a week, 5 to 6 hours a night for 5 weeks repairing his transom. There are 2 schools of thought here. (1)If, and I mean ONLY if you are VERY good with hand tools and are familiar with the resins and other materials needed to do the job, plus being able to spend the right amount of time to do the job right, should you attempt it. (2) If the boat is essentially a "throw-away" as is and you have to much time on your hands it never hurts to try something new. In reality, 1 & 2 need to be combined because if you do try the end item MUST be safe and reliable above all else. You need to be so confident in your finished product that you would take your own family out in that boat and have no fear or concerns for your safety. Even when the water gets rough. We had our project boat out on Flaming Gorge in Wyoming and dealt with an afternoon of wind and 3 to 4 footers for the 8 mile run back to the ramp and it worked great. Whatever you do..... Good Luck !!!!
The Crusher

[Jon S]

I'd be happy to fix the transom on your friends boat. I'm located in Marinette, Wis. Shebuski Fiberglass, LLC
Sheb@cybrzn.com
715-735-3048