Thread: Transom Replacement $$$???

Here is a thread of pictures on how to do it,they say materials cost 150.00 to $200.00 yes the picture is of metal boat but fiberglass is done same way with new wood or you can
Chicago Fishing Reports | Chicago Fishing Forums • View topic - Bad transom time to scrap the boat maybe maybe not ?
special type transom material that u pour in and its sets up see this posting
Chicago Fishing Reports | Chicago Fishing Forums • View topic - Transom Repair hope this helps jax

There are many ways to go about this, and even more opinions. I'll tell you my experience. I have and '88 bass boat that was like new but the splash well drains were plastic and had cracked. Neither the previous owner or I caught it til it was too late. We have a top notch repair shop close by that does warranty work for several manufacturers. They were so well recommended that I couldn't go anywhere else. Remove the outboard and hang out of the way. Remove the rubrail by drilling out the rivets and grind the bottom of connecting hatches loose to be glassed back in later Separate the upper and lower hull and move the upper forward about 3 feet and set it back down. Grind out the edges of the transom and remove, grinding the area smooth to prep for the new transom. From this point on in the reassembly process they brought out some custom made brackets and clamps to ensure even pressure when the new wood was applied. Seeing the way this was done made me glad I had someone skilled do this as they already had the clamps and such figured out and they would have cost me lots of time and some money too. They put one or two layers of chop mat in between the 2 layers of plywood, which was cut to fit tight to the sides with very little void around the edges. I glassing it in the first layers went out onto the sides and then a 12" wide piece went to reinforce the corners. How the transition form transom to existing gel coat and such on the very back of the boat I wasn't there for. Then comes the reassembly and reconnecting of wiring and plumbing and reinstalling through transom pumps and drains and such. I gave these guys $2500 for the job and you could not tell the boat had ever been touched. After watching the process and knowing what I do about glass work, including how much fun grinding is and the tools needed, it was one of the smarter moves of my life. That was 4 years back, the boat has a 150 and I drive it like I stole it and I have no issues as everything was was done to either replace or upgrade during the process. Good luck with yours, I know the hollow feeling in you stomach when you realize what you have ahead.....Skeet.

Originally Posted by skeetbum

There are many ways to go about this, and even more opinions. I'll tell you my experience. I have and '88 bass boat that was like new but the splash well drains were plastic and had cracked. Neither the previous owner or I caught it til it was too late. We have a top notch repair shop close by that does warranty work for several manufacturers. They were so well recommended that I couldn't go anywhere else. Remove the outboard and hang out of the way. Remove the rubrail by drilling out the rivets and grind the bottom of connecting hatches loose to be glassed back in later Separate the upper and lower hull and move the upper forward about 3 feet and set it back down. Grind out the edges of the transom and remove, grinding the area smooth to prep for the new transom. From this point on in the reassembly process they brought out some custom made brackets and clamps to ensure even pressure when the new wood was applied. Seeing the way this was done made me glad I had someone skilled do this as they already had the clamps and such figured out and they would have cost me lots of time and some money too. They put one or two layers of chop mat in between the 2 layers of plywood, which was cut to fit tight to the sides with very little void around the edges. I glassing it in the first layers went out onto the sides and then a 12" wide piece went to reinforce the corners. How the transition form transom to existing gel coat and such on the very back of the boat I wasn't there for. Then comes the reassembly and reconnecting of wiring and plumbing and reinstalling through transom pumps and drains and such. I gave these guys $2500 for the job and you could not tell the boat had ever been touched. After watching the process and knowing what I do about glass work, including how much fun grinding is and the tools needed, it was one of the smarter moves of my life. That was 4 years back, the boat has a 150 and I drive it like I stole it and I have no issues as everything was was done to either replace or upgrade during the process. Good luck with yours, I know the hollow feeling in you stomach when you realize what you have ahead.....Skeet.

Thanks for that detailed post Skeet. Looks like something over my head. Got a repair shop close by. You gave me the cost on that deal and I will use that to gauge whether someone is screwing me over or not. My boat is an 86 Stratos bass boat.CF