16ft Fibreglass runabout Transom Repair

[CHARGER]

Hi guys well Ive got a 16ft sportsmancraft fibreglass runabout of about late 70's vintage with 90HP Chrysler on the back and its been a great boat to me and still goes great but ive noticed the transom is starting to get a bit of flex and I think it needs some attention as on my highest trim setting it sits the front of the boat down in the water more than it used to which is pretty dangerous, looks like the transom is sagging back from the weight of the motor. I dont want to spend thousands on a full transom repair so I was thinking of makeing up a aluminum plate for the back of the boat to fix it up or something similar? any ideas on what I could do to save me fixing the whole transom?.<br /><br />Cheers.

 

[brianhayes]

Re: 16ft Fibreglass runabout Transom Repair

I'm no expert, but doing an aluminum plate will only mask the problem and you could be at more risk of sinking you boat when the fiberglass decides to give way due to not having any wood to support it. Especially if it is flexing, its a matter of time before it cracks..<br /><br />I do not know your boat, but if your transome is a flat (strait). You can:<br /><br />1) Cut the top off of the transome<br />2) use a chain saw to remove all the old wood<br />3) use a liquid transome to put in it's place.<br /><br /><br />Check out these links.<br /><br /> http://www.seawolfindustries.com/seacast.htm <br /><br />or this: To add strength to the bad wood in transom. This one will require you to dry out the old wood.<br /><br /> http://www.rotdoctor.com/glass/GLtransoms.html <br /><br />Anyone, please correct me if I am wrong..<br /><br />Brian Hayes

 

[redmule]

Re: 16ft Fibreglass runabout Transom Repair

I did a transom on a 15 ft first of the year. Removed the splash well and got to it from the inside. It cost me around $400.00 in material. Just do a lot off reading under transom repaires in the forums first. Lots off good info and links to other sites. Is material; plywood, fiberglass resin or epoxy easy to get over there on the Gold Coast?

 

[CHARGER]

Re: 16ft Fibreglass runabout Transom Repair

Hi I dont exactly no what you meen by removing the splash well, do you meen cutting it away at the back basically and refibreglassing it after repair or something?.<br /><br />This is my boat, best pick I have of transom at the moment sorry.<br />

 

[redmule]

Re: 16ft Fibreglass runabout Transom Repair

To get to the transom from the inside; I needed to remove the top of the boat as the splash well is part of it. Instead of removing the whole top, I chose to cut the splash well off just enought to get to the inner hull and transom from inside the boat. Made the cut across just behind the stern light. I did this because I needed to replace the inner transom hull it was to far gone to reuse. If the inner hull is still good on yours you can repair your as Brian states. Sealcast is the way to go if you got the $$.<br />I read up on it and would have used sealcast if I had not been replaceing the inner hull.<br />I suggest doing a post search (type in transom repair) and read what others have done under different situations, also lot of photos their which can help out.