Looking for pourable transom stuff in or near New Jersey

[fusc1]

Hi all, I got a 72 tri-hull thunderbird for cheap and found out the transom is bad. The outboard moves the transom about an inch just by pushing on it. I got the boat cheap so a $2k transom job is out of the question. I was looking at the pourable transom compounds (Seacast, Arjay and Nida), Seacast being the most expensive of the bunch and Arjay and Nida not having distribution outside of Florida.

My question is does anyone know where I can buy Nida or Arjay in the southern New Jersey/eastern PA area? I called Arjay and they told me that they have a distributor in Florida and one in Washington, both of which would kill with shipping charges.

Any assistance or ideas would be appreciated.

Thanks,
Anthony

 

[Colorado_Boater]

Re: Looking for pourable transom stuff in or near New Jersey

If the transom moves more and inch just by pushing on it, you have to replace it before you do anything else.
An inch are u sure, ???, Sorry there is no way around this.

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: Looking for pourable transom stuff in or near New Jersey

Well........................ pourable/moldable transom materials are not cheap. I am willing to bet the stringer's are also shot based on the year. Good luck.

 

[rickryder]

Re: Looking for pourable transom stuff in or near New Jersey

Hi Anthony,

I tried to find it when I was doing my resto here in NJ..... Couldn't find it anywhere....ordered from Fla. Why the Nida? You can rehab the transom yourself..... 2 sheets of 3/4 ply 5 gallons of poly resin and some csm and biax glass..... about 400 bucks in materials.

How's the deck and stringers? Flotation foam? You could have more problems below deck if your transom is shot....

 

[sphelps]

Re: Looking for pourable transom stuff in or near New Jersey

Have you checked the deck and stringers?If the transom is bad chances are so are the stringers..

 

[fusc1]

Re: Looking for pourable transom stuff in or near New Jersey

I did a lot of reading on here and other sites about transom repairs, it seemed to me that it would cost a little bit more, if I could find the pourable stuff nearby, but would be an easier job in terms of how much I would actually be doing to the boat. Cutting the top off the transom, cleaning out all of the old wood and pouring in the new transom, compared to cutting out the splashwell, the inside transom, removing everything, putting in the new wood glassing everything in place, etc. etc.

As far as the stringers and floor go, I know the guy I got the boat from put a new floor in it, not sure how thorough of a job he did with any repairs that were needed when he took out the old floor.

 

[rickryder]

Re: Looking for pourable transom stuff in or near New Jersey

You would have to cut the back of your boat from gunwale to gunwale to pour the transom....pretty sure it covers the entire aft of the boat. Then you will need to glass it back together and gelcoat.... Better to pop the cap and pull the transom core....just my .02

 

[sphelps]

Re: Looking for pourable transom stuff in or near New Jersey

I poured seacast in mine but I live only about 2 hrs away and they had it on sale 10% off so I just picked it up myself.If you do pour any of the pourable stuff make sure you get all every last bit of wood out . If nida bond I would cut inside skin out grind it clean and lay some new glass right before the pour. But thats just me ..

 

[Woodonglass]

Re: Looking for pourable transom stuff in or near New Jersey

He replaced the Deck but left the transom in That condition??? I'd be highly suspect of the condition of the stringers under that NEW DECK!!! If the Inner skin of your transom is not in perfect condition and configured correctly, pouring a Seacast type transom is NOT as easy as it sounds.

 

[fusc1]

Re: Looking for pourable transom stuff in or near New Jersey

I know I'm going to have to pull the floor and most likely replace everything under it, I am already planning on that, but that can wait until winter.
I need to do the transom as soon as possible and it seems to me that as a guy who has no confidence in his abilities to do glass work going the pourable route is the lesser of two evils. It would be different if I knew how to do glass work, I wouldn't care about cutting it out and laying it up new.

 

[rickryder]

Re: Looking for pourable transom stuff in or near New Jersey

Not much you can do to band-aid a transom.... Post some pics of what you have so we can direct you. I am pretty sure you wont be able to get all the wood core out without pulling the cap to dig out the rotten wood in the transom.....to use pourable compound you need to get ALL the wood out and clean between the glass shell.

On the part of glass work and your abilities.....go to the auto store and get a small fiberglass repair kit and play with it Glass up some scrap plywood to get the feel of doing glass and resin.....It's really not that hard.....

All of us here are willing to help you along with your questions and give you tips.... Shame your way down in Mystic or I would come look myself. Your about 3 hours south of me.

 

[fusc1]

Re: Looking for pourable transom stuff in or near New Jersey

Thanks for the assistance. The boat is at my parents house near sicklerville right now, I will try and get some pictures of it this weekend.

 

[Woodonglass]

Re: Looking for pourable transom stuff in or near New Jersey

If the boat is worth the time and effort and you're willing to do the work, we can and will help you through the process. Glassin is not that big of deal. A lot of guys on here have never done anything with glass and by the time they get done with their boats they could prolly get hired by boat repair shops. If you are good with your hands and have the sticktoittiveness to get the job done, then I would recommend you rip it all out and do the job right and get the boat totally restrored so you can enjoy her for decades to come.