transom/stringer rebuild

[goblenick]

I currently own an "89 Sea Ray bowrider (200) which I've discovered is in bad need of a transom/stringer replacement. I've never performed or even witnessed anyone perform this repair and I'm totally clueless on how to go about it. I've done quite a bit of research on the internet, but d*** near every article has different techniques and required materials. Here's a few questions to start out with:
1. How difficult is this going to be for a first timer?
2. How much money are the supplies going to cost assuming I'll be using the Westsystem? (ballpark figure)
3. What are the supplies I'll need?
4. Has anyone here done this on the particular boat?
5. Are there any special tools other than a grinder and saw I'll need for this?
6. What am I leaving out?

Seeing as how I don't have the money to buy a new boat I've got to do this myself and I'm very much intimidated. Any help is greatly appreciated. If anyone here is from northern VA or knows someone here who could help me out at a reasonable price, please refer me.

 

[Solittle]

Re: transom/stringer rebuild

How difficult it is is relative to how much time, energy and money you want to put into it. It is a job that anyone who is reasonably handy can do.

As to all your questions - spend a few hours in this section reading what others have done and look at the images they have posted. Then when you have specific questions post back. What you have written is too general - for me at least.

 

[vandy21]

Re: transom/stringer rebuild

Yeah I agree, I just started doing a similar rebuild with my 86 18' Bayliner, and everything I learned so far came from here. In terms of cost, so far it hasn't been too much, just tools, but I'm not to the new wood part yet. Wood shouldn't be too expensive, but if you live anywhere near a place that carries marine grade plywood, buy it! I started a thread called "Marine Plywood" under here, if you search for that you should get a lot of good info on what wood to use. I'm not going to pretend to be an expert, so I'll leave some of the more difficult questions up to the people who know more then I do. As far as labor goes, theres no doubt that its labor intensive, but like "Solittle" said, if you have any handyman skills, the task should be doable. A couple more tools I have used a lot so far are; a drill, and a crowbar. Also you'll find that ordinary things such a a broom and shop vac will be necessity's as well. Good luck on your project ahead of you and stay committed, even though the task is daunting. Just keep reading and browsing the web, the people here are very helpful and knowlegable.

 

[fastestcb]

Re: transom/stringer rebuild

i just saved my first boat from the junkyard 87' larson bow rider i rebuilt the stringers and put a new floor in .it cost my about 1,000 . i also had a yacht builder that just happened to drop by when i was finishing the stingers and he said i did one hell of a good job on it.it took me 1 1/2 months of weekends to get it done but it was well worth it and a nice upgrade from my 1962 12ft alum rowboat lol

 

[fastestcb]

Re: transom/stringer rebuild

i just saved my first boat from the junkyard 87' larson bow rider i rebuilt the stringers and put a new floor in .it cost my about 1,000 . i also had a yacht builder that just happened to drop buy when i was finishing the stingers and he said i did one hell of a good job on it.it took me 1 1/2 months of weekends to get it done but it was well worth it and a nice upgrade from my 1962 12ft alum rowboat lol .ps i used west system epoxy

 

[sea wolf]

Re: transom/stringer rebuild

Buy or borrow a reciprocating saw. It will prove to be invaluable when u start cutting into the floor, stringers, etc. Just be damn careful what your cutting into, because there is your gas tank under the deck. If you go with the West System the materials will be quite expensive, compared to using poly resin. But, that's up to you. If you redo the transom, the engine will more than likely need to be pulled. In fact, it will be nearly impossible to do with the engine still in the boat. That also goes for the drive. Good luck, but with patience, time & the right tools, it can be done. There are plenty of us that have been there. Although to be honest, I've never done a transom rebuild.