Considering my first Transom Repair - Now with Pictures!!

[rwilliek]

Good day all -

We have a 1986 Bomber Classic (will post a picture later) that I believe needs a new transom. I recently found a section around the live well upper drain that was rotted out.... found an area of mulch about 6-inches by 6-inches. I was able to dry the area, and was considering a pour in fix...

I have noticed lately that the transom has some flex to it. When I lift up on the outboard, I can flex the transom. It does have some kind of brace across the lip which seems to be helping it, but I have a good feeling it is beyond repair. In addition, there are two small cracks on the top deck where the bolts go through the transom.

So....I've been reading, and looking at posts here and elsewhere on the transom replacement process. Are there any books or other resources I can get? I have a small amount of fiberglass experience, but very little.

I have seen the book Fiberglass Boat Repair and Maintenance....I may check into getting a copy of that to help me in the planning stages of this project.

Any other thoughts or suggestions??? I am working on finding a local shop that can do this to compare the price difference between doing it myself or having someone who has done the process before do it.

Thanks in advance!

Robbie

 

[rwilliek]

Re: Considering my first Transom Repair

Re: Considering my first Transom Repair

I forgot to mention - I found this rot by accident....while under some remodeling (new carpet, vinyl, seats etc) I moved the drain pipe I mentioned above an the fitting broke off...

Should be fun separating the top from the bottom now that all of that work is almost complete.

 

[Woodonglass]

Re: Considering my first Transom Repair

Re: Considering my first Transom Repair

Welcome to iBoats!

You HAVE found the BEST source for Transom Repair you will EVER find and it's FREE!! No need to look anywhere else. Do an advanced search and type in Transom Repair for your key words. You will get all the Text and Pics you could ever ask for to help guide and show you everything you need to know on the topic. You can post questions and they WILL be answered by some of the MOST knowledgeable experts on boat repair in the WORLD. If you want to repair this transom you Can and Will be successful by posting pics and asking questions right here on the iBoats forum.

So... rip off that motor cover and get your camera and post some close ups of that transom both outside and inside of the boat so we can get a better look at what you're dealin with.

 

[rickryder]

Re: Considering my first Transom Repair

Re: Considering my first Transom Repair

Yep What he said ^^ Welcome!

 

[ezmobee]

Re: Considering my first Transom Repair

Re: Considering my first Transom Repair

Nice looking boat for sure. Sorry you found the rot after investing in some interior materials. That sucks. You're in the right place, good luck with your project.

 

[redfury]

Re: Considering my first Transom Repair

Re: Considering my first Transom Repair

excellent looking boat, definitely worth a transom replacement. The great thing about digital cameras is that you can just shove them into tight spots and shoot pictures until you get the ones you want!

Transom repair seems like a daunting task at first, but once you've done some reading, looked at some pictures, asked some questions....showed a few pictures of your own, the confidence level goes way up, and if you have a modicum of ability the job is far easier than it seems.

With that, lets plan the work, and then work that plan!

Oh, and Welcome to Iboats!

 

[ljc1957]

Re: Considering my first Transom Repair

Re: Considering my first Transom Repair

Nice looking boat. I think you will find that it's going to be expensive having that transom done by a pro. I was really apprehensive about doing my transom but, after reading threads on this forum, I went for it. Once I started, I was surprised at how simple the job was. Lot's of hard work but the technical part wasn't bad. It's really satisfying and you'll be glad you did it yourself.

 

[jonesg]

Re: Considering my first Transom Repair

Re: Considering my first Transom Repair

Looking at the age of the hull its probably going to need the cap removing and new stringers too.
Go with PT wood to save money on the transom.

 

[rwilliek]

Re: Considering my first Transom Repair

Re: Considering my first Transom Repair

Thank You all for the encouraging words......I am getting more comfortable with doing the repair the more I read.

I have checked the stringers in the center of the boat, and they are nice and solid (thankfully). I will certainly check them from the rear seats back when I get the top off.

I have been debating back and fourth on the pour in type of repair, but I think it will be cheaper, and lighter to go with a tradition repair.

So here come the questions:

1) How do the stingers attach to the transom? Is this connection done by fiberglass only?
2) The side walls of the Hull (wood??)- is there any physical connection to the transom?

Thanks again

Robbie

 

[Woodonglass]

Re: Considering my first Transom Repair

Re: Considering my first Transom Repair

Read this...

http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?t=441929&highlight=drewpster

It will give you a LOT of insight as to what you will be doing and how it will need to be done.

 

[rwilliek]

Re: Considering my first Transom Repair

Re: Considering my first Transom Repair

After getting a quote of $1800, I think I'm going to do this myself.

Someone above mentioned pressure treated wood, but I thought PT wood wasn't the best choice.

What Lowe's/ Home Depot wood would work well in this situation? I understand his to be exterior with waterproof glue....any particular type better than others?

 

[rickryder]

Re: Considering my first Transom Repair

Re: Considering my first Transom Repair

CDX will have voids in betwen the plys.... Check with your local lumber yard and inquire if they stock underlayment ply....no voids smooth faces and exterior glue.

 

[rwilliek]

Re: Considering my first Transom Repair

Re: Considering my first Transom Repair

Isn't Undrlay pretty thin? I know I used to install it when I was building houses.

 

[ezmobee]

Re: Considering my first Transom Repair

Re: Considering my first Transom Repair

Lowes Arauco ply is VERY nice.

 

[rwilliek]

Re: Considering my first Transom Repair

Re: Considering my first Transom Repair

Some progress was made today -

The Rub Rail was removed, and the 2 million rivets drilled out.....all of the hardware and through-hull items were removed from the transom except for a few small screws that I couldn't do anything with.

I started to separate the front, but couldn't do too much because the motor is still attached.....I have to figure out how to get it off safely, and what to do with it.

I also purchased a 4.5-inch grinder of my very own to start cutting/grinding the fiberglass. The $17.99 version will do the job, but I can tell a big difference in quality after using a Hitachi on a daily basis for the last few weeks.

Robbie

 

[rwilliek]

Re: Considering my first Transom Repair

Re: Considering my first Transom Repair

I found a lumber yard locally that carries both MDO and Marine plywood. Since I am doing this myself and saving $1500 doing it myself, I am willing to spend the extra $30 on the marine grade plywood if it is worth the difference.

So.....is it worth the difference?

Robbie

 

[Woodonglass]

Re: Considering my first Transom Repair

Re: Considering my first Transom Repair

WOW!!! That Question is going to open a BIG can of worms. Guess I'll be the first.
I am a big proponent of MDO. It saves a LOT on resin and IMHO will serve the purpose just as well as the MG ply. Your boat will last for 30+ years using it and I doubt you will have it that long. BUT having said that if the cost is only 30 bucks difference...then yep I'd probably go for the MG. But again, you will use more resin because you have to pre-coat it before applying the mat whereas with the MDO you do not. Your Choice...

 

[rwilliek]

Re: Considering my first Transom Repair

Re: Considering my first Transom Repair

I've got supplies on the way!! 5-gallons of resin, 7 yards CSM, 7 Yards Biax, Cabosil, and accessories!

Hopefully I'll be pulling the motor this weekend. The engine removal is going to be tricky, but I think its going to work.

At this point the rub rail is off, the steering is mostly off (cylinder won't come out the rest of the way until the motor is off), the shift and throttle cables are off, and most of the electrical. I can't find a disconnect for the wiring harness that runs to the key switch/dash, so I might just leave it be for now.

This weekend I'm going to pull the motor, and hopefully lift the cap off enough to work hopefully. Once I do, I will snap some pictures!

Robbie

 

[rickryder]

Re: Considering my first Transom Repair

Re: Considering my first Transom Repair

Underlayment comes in 1/2" to 3/4"

 

[rwilliek]

Re: Considering my first Transom Repair

Re: Considering my first Transom Repair

Progress was made today! Not as much as I would have liked, but progress none the less.

I was able to get the motor removed thanks to a little help from my father and a brother (today was our birthday party for our boys...so there were extra hands around). Once the motor was off, we separated the front, the rear however is giving me fits.

I did however use a grinder and removed the top cap of the motor well and scooped out a good portion of the wood....I'm amazed the motor hadn't fallen off yet.

I'll post a few pictures tomorrow.

Robbie