cutting the transom

[hemi rt]

We have a fiberglass shop here that is cutting the transom out from the outside, they say it's the only way to do it. I'm not sure how strong this would be. Your comments, I can post some pictures/web page if you want.

 

[DeepBlue2010]

No, it is not the only way to do it. It is the easy way for them so they don't separate the cap from the hull. I personally don't believe that this method is justifiable under any condition but I read that some members think that some boat designs lend themselves better to this method than others; however no one shed any light on the details of the design that justify this Frankenstein technique of "fixing" the boat.

Long story short, IMHO, find yourself another shop, these guys are lazy. Or better yet, roll up your sleeves and do it yourself, it is not that hard and we can walk you though it step by step. You will end up with a much better boat for a fraction of the cost.

 

[MILKWEED]

Gotta agree with Deep....Split the cap, replace transom wood or pour it, put cap back on....done. Why chop it up if you don't have to? Looks like a nice boat, what model Glastron is that?

 

[hemi rt]

Gotta agree with Deep....Split the cap, replace transom wood or pour it, put cap back on....done. Why chop it up if you don't have to? Looks like a nice boat, what model Glastron is that?

The boat in my sig is a V-143, commonly known as a Jetflite but they never were built with a Jet. I've done a few transoms but only split the deck off the hull; my problem with the way they do it is what are the stringers like, how is the transom attached to the stringers/internal supports plus you loose the integrity/strength of the fiberglass that was there when the hull was one piece.

 

[shaw520]

Find another shop,... shortcuts never pay off in the end.

 

[GA_Boater]

Lazy repairman for maximum profits. As you said, what about the stringers, stringer tie-in to the transom and taking shortcuts like that, just how strong are the transom corners.

I'm sure some of our glass pros here say it can be done, but they have a conscience, do conscientious work and don't do shoddy work. At a minimum, ask for some references although he will only give you the good ones.

 

[MILKWEED]

By not removing the cap or cutting out part of the floor, how will the transom be attatched to the bottom of the hull and stringers? Is the transom piece the full width of the back? The cap can also be raised and slid forward a few feet to get access to the transom. I would run away....

 

[sphelps]

You can do it from the outside but it's just more difficult as far as finishing the outside . I would never recommend it though ... Are you planning on repaint or gell coat ? You could pull the cap and not have all the extra finishing involved ....

 

[ondarvr]

Most of the time there's rot in the stringers and floor too, so you need to dig much deeper, which makes doing it from the inside make much more sense.

The only way I would do it from the outside (and maybe not even then) would be if you absolutely knew without a doubt there was no rotten wood anywhere else in the boat.

If a customer says they want the transom replaced, that's the only work the shop may give a bid on, they may not even bring up the possibility of doing more work, which may increase the price resulting in the customer deciding not to do the work at all.