New (to me) boat with a rotted transom - crap!

[dirtyoldman]

OK - I bought a 1987 sea ray s21 that looked to be in great shape for what I thought was a good price. Upon taking it out and finding that it takes on water like crazy, I found it coming from around the outdrive on the back of the transom. I can lift up and down on the drive and see movement in the drive at the transom, and there are a few stress crasks in the glass back there.

So, it looks like I paid way too much for this boat - but now need to figure out what to do with it. How big a project is a transom repair? How much would it cost if I hired it out?

The big question is how do I figure out if I can make it through the rest of the summer with this as-is? I'd like to do this over the winter if at all possible.

 

[Bifflefan]

Re: New (to me) boat with a rotted transom - crap!

Im doing a very similar project. read the link in my signature.
As for hiring it out. In talking to one of the local dealers that did one for some one just before i started mine. they charged 4000.00.
I did mine without removing the cap only did the center that was bad. You can PM me with any questions as it is still fresh in the memory.

 

[jonesg]

Re: New (to me) boat with a rotted transom - crap!

OK - I bought a 1987 sea ray s21 that looked to be in great shape for what I thought was a good price. Upon taking it out and finding that it takes on water like crazy, I found it coming from around the outdrive on the back of the transom. I can lift up and down on the drive and see movement in the drive at the transom, and there are a few stress crasks in the glass back there.

So, it looks like I paid way too much for this boat - but now need to figure out what to do with it. How big a project is a transom repair? How much would it cost if I hired it out?

The big question is how do I figure out if I can make it through the rest of the summer with this as-is? I'd like to do this over the winter if at all possible.

Its taking on water, transom is rotted, glass is already cracked.
Chances are the stringers are shot.
I wouldn't use it until its fixed.

 

[BigBoatinOkie]

Re: New (to me) boat with a rotted transom - crap!

Its taking on water, transom is rotted, glass is already cracked.
Chances are the stringers are shot.
I wouldn't use it until its fixed.

I second that. It'a a bummer for sure, but it's not worth risk of doing even more damage to the boat or putting yourself in harm's way. If you plan on trying to use it, at least do your best to assess the damage before you do. Do some core samples all over the transom and anywhere you can get to the stringers, then if it's not too bad, maybe consider using for a while longer. Main thing is, don't just assume there's not much of a problem and ignore it. If you look around in this resto forum some, you'll see that 99% of the time the damage is way worse than the owner originally thought. I'm in that 99% too. Good luck.

 

[dirtyoldman]

Re: New (to me) boat with a rotted transom - crap!

I second that. It'a a bummer for sure, but it's not worth risk of doing even more damage to the boat or putting yourself in harm's way. If you plan on trying to use it, at least do your best to assess the damage before you do. Do some core samples all over the transom and anywhere you can get to the stringers, then if it's not too bad, maybe consider using for a while longer. Main thing is, don't just assume there's not much of a problem and ignore it. If you look around in this resto forum some, you'll see that 99% of the time the damage is way worse than the owner originally thought. I'm in that 99% too. Good luck.

Well, I called two fiberglass shops this morning and they both told me about three grand to do it. They both told me that if I can see flex in the transom when I lift up and down on it it's pretty bad and I shouldn't run it.

Of course, we are in the process of buying another house and our old one isn't sold yet. I've got a lot of repairs to do there and barely any time to do them - and soon no place to do this. I guess I'm just going to have to suck it up and pay them to do it now.

Does anyone have any other advice or comments here? One shop used a composite transom, the other marine plywood.

 

[micks110]

Re: New (to me) boat with a rotted transom - crap!

I was in the same boat- thought I'd just be replacing the deck and before you know it I was replacing the stringers and transom too.

3k sounds kinda low, I'd ask them to take pictures along the way so they don't skimp on materials to make a quick buck.

Good Luck

 

[dirtyoldman]

Re: New (to me) boat with a rotted transom - crap!

I was in the same boat- thought I'd just be replacing the deck and before you know it I was replacing the stringers and transom too.

3k sounds kinda low, I'd ask them to take pictures along the way so they don't skimp on materials to make a quick buck.

Good Luck

Well, I got it dropped off. They are doing it for $2750.00 and they are planning on having it done in just over a week. It's a fiberglass company that does over 50 of these a year. They came highly recommended.

At least then I'll know it's done. THey are also making miscellaneous repairs to the gelcoat in other areas on the boat, in the same color only.

I am planning on making several trips to see the boat in process.