Repairing Guides

how much to repair boat transom

by Hanna DuBuque Sr. Published 3 years ago Updated 2 years ago
image

How to replace boat transom?

Replacing the transom’s core from the inside is the preferred method, because it keeps the boat’s original structure intact. The first step is to gain access to the interior of the transom, so I used a Rockwell Sonicrafter Oscillating Multi-Tool to cut the cap and deck off the rear of the boat, which proved to be one of the easier steps.

How to fix a rotted transom on your boat?

Repairing Fiberglass Powerboat Transoms - Epoxywork

  • The process taken to Refit the Transom back on to the PVC tubes. 1. Zodiac Transom and transom fittings which were removed by hot air gun. 2. ...
  • um jon boat with a wood transom that needs replacement means possibilities, such as making the transom taller to accommodate a long-shaft outboard. ...
  • Joined Aug 2, 2010. ·. 1,084 Posts. #5 · Aug 1, 2017. ...

How to rebuild the transom on a fiberglass boat?

How to Rebuild the Transom on a Fiberglass Boat

  • Take Plenty of Pictures First! Before you get started make sure you take a few pictures of your transom from numerous different angles.
  • Now De-Skin it! ...
  • Now the Fun begins! ...
  • Create a Template to Cut Out the New One. ...
  • Getting it Ready. ...
  • Glassing it Onto the Hull. ...
  • Filleting and Tabbing. ...
  • Cutout Your Holes. ...
  • Cover The Inside with Fiberglass. ...

How to check boat transom?

How to fix a wet transom

  • Identify if the transom is wet. ...
  • After identifying where is wet, assess if the moisture is affecting the strength of the transom. ...
  • Cut or drill a small hole into the transom (core sample will give a true visual assessment of the internal condition of the transom) Tip*Remember to grind down the sharp ...
  • After the conclusion of the assessment sample. ...

image

How much does it cost to fix a rotted transom?

between $2,000.00 and $5,000.00In boat repair circles it is a job for a professional yard — tear the old transom away and replace it. This is usually estimated at a cost somewhere between $2,000.00 and $5,000.00 or more depending on the size of the boat.

Can you fix a rotted transom?

One method is to use a product like Git-Rot from BoatLIFE. This two-part liquid epoxy fills and restores the dry rot inside the wood using capillary action to penetrate it without drilling it full of holes. You can inject Git-Rot directly into the wood for more thorough penetration.

Can you fix a cracked transom on a boat?

RE: Cracks in Transom I would open up the crack and seal it off. After you do that, you can gelcoat or screw a nice piece of aluminum on top of the transom. You might also want to remove your motor and see if there is any moisture in the bolt holes going through the transom.

How do you repair a transom on a boat?

4:0238:35The Easiest Way To Replace A Boat Transom - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipThought. You know if you had someone actually replace this transom for you you're talking here fromMoreThought. You know if you had someone actually replace this transom for you you're talking here from two thousand to five thousand dollars possibly. If you wanna use you know your plywood.

How long do boat transoms last?

On to fabricating the replacement transom: Most, if not all wooden transoms in smaller boats are made of plywood. From the looks of the transom in this boat, I would estimate a typical transom will last about 20 years or so before they need to be replaced.

Can you replace part of a transom?

Transoms are usually replaced from inside the boat. This means removing all the internal structure, seats, and tanks, etc. so you can work on the transom. If the boat is an I/O, that means removing the engine.

Can you reinforce a transom?

Rough up the edges of the outer fiberglass skin you removed from the transom with the palm sander. Apply a heavy coat of epoxy to the last sheet of plywood you used to fill the transom void, and replace the outer fiberglass skin of the transom, using wood screws around the edges to attach the fiberglass to the plywood.

How do you repair a fiberglass boat transom?

1:4037:14[EP11] Fibreglass Boat Transom Replacement From The OutsideYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipSo firstly traditionally you would go you would remove a transom from the inside you'd cut awayMoreSo firstly traditionally you would go you would remove a transom from the inside you'd cut away everything from the inside that way you can keep the outer hull of the boat.

How do you rebuild a transom?

0:4713:13Complete Transom Rebuild, Step by Step How-To! Part 1 - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipYou got to disconnect. All the pieces and parts run the boat itself you got to remove the motorMoreYou got to disconnect. All the pieces and parts run the boat itself you got to remove the motor remove the jack plate in our case it has a jack plate.

How do I know if my boat transom is rotten?

Observe for cracking on the fibreglass around the engine bolts; Washers are often observed as being compressed into the transom in areas where the timber has lost its strength. Remove some screws or an engine bolt to observe if water spits out of the hull. Brown or Brack-ish water is usually an indication of rot.

How long does a wood transom last?

RE: Transom life? IME, transoms do not have a particular life span. I know some wooden boats that were made 50 years ago that are still solid.

What is the best material for a boat transom?

Coosa Board is high density polyurethane foam with reinforced layers of fiberglass. The result is a material equally or superior in rigidity at a fraction of the weight of plywood. It is truly the premier decking & transom material in the marine industry.

How do you rebuild a transom?

0:4713:13Complete Transom Rebuild, Step by Step How-To! Part 1 - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipYou got to disconnect. All the pieces and parts run the boat itself you got to remove the motorMoreYou got to disconnect. All the pieces and parts run the boat itself you got to remove the motor remove the jack plate in our case it has a jack plate.

How long does a wood transom last?

RE: Transom life? IME, transoms do not have a particular life span. I know some wooden boats that were made 50 years ago that are still solid.

How do you replace a wood transom?

2:2517:37HOW TO REPAIR AND REPLACE A WOOD TRANSOM - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipSo i'm gonna have a layer of three-quarter pvc a layer of three-quarter pvc i will put them togetherMoreSo i'm gonna have a layer of three-quarter pvc a layer of three-quarter pvc i will put them together. And then i'll put a layer of aluminum on the inside. Now the pvc in the wood.

How do you remove a rotten transom?

2:168:39How to Remove a Transom in a ROTTEN boat! VLOG #10 - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipBut start with the rotten stuff get it out easy as you can get some confidence going and then bustMoreBut start with the rotten stuff get it out easy as you can get some confidence going and then bust into the new stuff which is real difficult ok remember what I was saying about large chunks.

Step 1: Before Beginning Removal

Take measurements of all the parts around the transom; fiberglass thickness of outside skin, plywood thickness, inside transom skin thickness, stri...

Step 2: Gain Access to Transom Skin and CORE

The next step is to gain access to the transom so you can remove the rot. Each boat will be a little different, sometimes you will have to cut the...

Before Final Glassing of CORE

The gaps between your new core and the sides/bottom of the hull will need to be filled with putty. After filling the gap, using the same putty, you...

Tabbing Unto The Hull Bottom and Sides

The next step is the tabbing of the transom core to the sides and bottom of the hull. For tabbing, use 1708 Biaxial fiberglass tape. This tape is s...

What is a stitch mat for a boat?

Stitch mat or fabmat. Air bubbles (bubble wrap) Repairing the transom of the boat is a minor boat repair since the transom is the flat area located at the back of the boat. Repairing the transom is not that difficult if you have the right tools and equipment.

How to repair a boat transom?

Step 1 - Dry the Boat. To make any repairs to your boat or transom, you first need to get your boat out of the water and into a dry dock or a raised platform. This is to give you more access to the transom. Allow the transom to dry completely before you can start repairs. Continue reading below Our Video of the Day.

How to fiberglass two sheets of plywood?

Once you are done cutting the two plywood pieces, you can now fiberglass the two sheets together. Cover the exposed side with the fabmat or stitch mat. Place the air bubbles on top of these. Make sure that the air bubbles are laid out flat. Allow these to cure.

Do you need to repair a transom?

Before you remove any parts of the transom or make any repairs, it is important to assess the damage on your transom first. This is to help you determine how minor or major your boat repair is going to be. If all you need to do is repair a small hole, then you do not need much to repair the damage. However, if the transom is already rotten, then ...

What is a fillet in a fiberglass boat?

A fillet is a radius of putty that allows fiberglass to make a turn around an angle.

How do I laminate two pieces of plywood?

To laminate two pieces of plywood, first coat the faces of the plywood that will be glued together with un-thickened epoxy resin. This is a thin coat of epoxy, just enough to let the face of the wood soak up a little epoxy. While this epoxy is still tacky, mix a batch of epoxy glue.

What type of tape do I use for tabbing?

For tabbing, use 1708 Biaxial fiberglass tape. This tape is stronger than traditional woven tape due in part to its fiber orientation (45/45 degrees). It is also very easy to work with, wets out easily, and is epoxy compatible. Use multiple layers of the 17 oz Biaxal tape, the amount will depend on the particular boat.

What tools do I need to repair fiberglass?

A reciprocating saw, grinder, hammer and chisel, flat prybar are good to have. If you have an air compressor, a small air hammer with a wide flat blade is a good investment. Be careful to not inflict damage to the outside fiberglass skin.

Is epoxy glue strong?

Epoxy is gap filling and extremely strong, you want the epoxy to remain between the plywood layers. Once the epoxy begins to squeeze out the sides evenly it is time to stop the clamping pressure and wipe off excess epoxy glue that squeezed out. Fasco Epoxy Glue.

Can you laminate a boat core?

It is generally easier to laminate the core outside the boat and bond it into the hull once, but on very large transoms this may not be possible due to weight and difficultly in handling.

How old is a 1988 boat?

Here's mine: It's a 1988 boat, that's 25yrs old. It may be a great boat, but it's still a 25yr old boat. Unless you WANT to work on a boat, I doubt you'll find much motivation for doing the transom repair. It isn't easy, its labor intensive & will take a good long while.

Do good to go boats need a transom?

Good to go boats, that have had adequate repairs of the deck, should have included a thorough inspection of the transom. Most boats this age, that need 'some' transom or deck repairs, need much more work then originally expected.....

How thick is a transom?

In other words, use four layers of 3/8″ or 6 layers of ¼” plywood to build up a 1½”-thick transom instead of three layers of ½”. Be sure to fill any voids in the plywood edges with thickened epoxy after the panels are cut into shape. Make a template of the transom and use it to layout the plywood layers.

What causes a transom to rot?

Moisture penetrates the plywood core, leading to delamination and eventual rot. Moisture can also penetrate the transom skin at hardware fasteners, around drain holes and I/O cutouts. These factors have a cumulative effect on structural failure. When the transom loses its stiffness, so does the outboard motor.

How to laminate fiberglass skin?

If your fiberglass skin is unusable, plan to laminate a new fiberglass skin over the core with multiple layers of fiberglass and epoxy. Apply them one layer at a time until the same skin thickness is achieved. Subsequent layers can be applied immediately or while the previous layer is still tacky. If the epoxy is allowed to cure beyond being tacky, allow it to cure overnight, then wash the surface with water and sand the surface to prepare it for more layers. Laminate the new skin so it extends to the edge of the 12:1 bevel that was machined earlier on the outer edges of the transom. Install the biggest patch first with each layer being progressively smaller to fill the 12:1 bevel. For additional information on laminating a large new fiberglass skin see Section 4.3 of Fiberglass Boat Repair & Maintenance (free download).

How many times does a bevel back from the corner of a fiberglass cut line?

The distance of the cut line (and the bevel) back from the corner is 12 times the fiberglass thickness. A 12-to-1 bevel allows room for multiple layers of fiberglass fabric and epoxy across the cut line to restore strength to the fiberglass skin.

What determines the bevel length of a fiberglass transom?

The fiberglass thickness determines the bevel length which is also the distance from the corner to the location of the cuts for removing the fiberglass skin. As mentioned, the cut line will be located to allow the outer edge of the bevel to end before the corner of the transom.

How to prevent dimpling in fiberglass?

This prevents dimpling in the fiberglass skin which would require considerable filling and fairing later. Apply auto paste wax or cooking spray to the washers or plywood ahead of time to allow for removal later, or apply a layer of plastic sheet over the fiberglass skin before applying the plywood cauls.

What is a transom on a boat?

Transoms are major structural parts of fiberglass powerboats, especially outboards. Transoms not only support the weight of the motor, they maintain the shape of the boat, they are a mounting point for holdowns, towing eyes and other accessories. And, they must be able to let water out of the hull, without letting it back in.

What is the transom?

A transom is the structural section of the back of the boat that the engines mount to. With an outboard, they mount to a bracket on the back. With a sterndrive, they mount via a hole through the middle and a transom assembly.

How does my transom become wet?

Water ingress to a transom can be caused by numerous reasons. All of these take a period of time to develop, and getting water in your transom once will not necessarily rot it away overnight.

How to determine if my transom is wet?

Some telltale signs your transom has been affected by water ingress and needs attention could include:

Does it matter that there is water in the transom?

Yes, once water has entered a timber-cored transom it travels between these layers that create the integrity of your transom.

How to repair a wet transom?

The decision on whether a transom can be repaired should be decided by a shipwright or boat builder willing to complete and warrant the work. This could include core samples to be extracted and examined, to various areas of the transom to determine the extent of moisture spread.

How much does it cost to replace a transom?

On a small outboard driven boat with easy access, you may be looking around $4000-$6000. It’s important to remember that any major transom work is going to require the motor removed, and the hull taken back to bare to allow access to cutting the entire timber core section out (without damaging the outer skin).

What percentage of moisture is too high for a wet timber cored transom?

Provided there are no other factors affecting the readings for example anti-foul coatings, metal, residue salt:

image
A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9