Repair transom or replace boat?

[lancehunt]

Transom gave way on my 1973 Ebbtide tri-hull. Never dealt with transom problems so looking for advice.

Repair or dump it?
https://lancehunt.tumblr.com/post/172295816620/transom-ransom

Its worth mentioning that it also needs a new deck and stringers...

Is there a quick fix for the transom to get me fishing again this year?

 

[jbuote]

Hmmm...
Not a pro, but no...
No quick fix to be back fishing in that this year.. At least not safely...

Needs a whole new transom, and as you stated, stringers and deck...
You're looking at a full gut and restore if you want to put the time, money and effort into it..

If restoring is what you choose, I have no doubt these folks here will help you end up with a better than factory boat.

 

[redneck joe]

Unless you're emotionally tied to the boat I'd trash it. That said any older fiberglass boat is more likely than not to have similar underlying issues. Should you choose to repair and can go at it heavy timewise, 45 days is doable then you're have a strong boat for another 20 years

 

[chevymaher]

There should be a cut and paste answer for this.

Nobody can answer this but you. Things to consider are.

Boats are expensive new. For what it cost to make one new. Restoring it. You may find one that will need all this done in a few years. Nobody takes care of a new boat. They buy it use it let it stay wet. Most don't even know how to take care of one. Then they dump it and move on to the next new boat. Once they find out there is a problem (read rot starting). Such is the life of the rich.

Now if you do it. And take care of it. It will last you as long as you care to use it.

So the real question in these things are. Is this the boat you want to keep 20 plus years.

Take a look at a new boats price. Then what you got in this one done or whichever boat you decide on.

Really from being on this forum buying new or restoring is the only way to be sure you have a good boat.

There are no magic cheap in good shape boats. They are cheap for a reason they need this done.

I am not trying to be negative. Just if you want a boat you got to do what you got to do to have one.

Myself I rebuld everything houses cars motorcycles so the jump to doing a boat was a easy choice. I liked my boat and I always see things as what they will be as a finished project. I must admit i had hoped to float it a year or so first but that was not to be, Once I got to start a project. It is all getting done end to end.

So good luck with whatever you choose. There is a army of us out here pulling for you. Willing to help and do what ever we can to get you out on the water. That is the beauty of this forum.

 

[Scott Danforth]

as many stated, its up to you

I personally would find a different hull. then again, I dont like tri-hulls. however if you love the boat, burn a week of vacation, and you can get it done in about 10 days. that is 10, long hard-working hot-sweaty itchy days. not to mention the 2-3k you will spend on materials.

 

[lancehunt]

Thanks guys.

Truth is I dont think this boat is worth my time or money but I appreciate the wake-up call about cheap vs new boats.

The debate I have is if I can only afford to buy used boats but they are likely to need repairs too, then what do I look for?

I was thinking of stripping the old boat and scrapping it but not sure how to dispose of a boat. What is the appropriate way to do this?

Also, the old Chrysler 70 motor works good but lacks “modern” amenities like trim and tilt, is it worth putting on a new hull?

 

[kcassells]

heck you can get it towed away for a tax donation. Yup you can save the motor.

 

[CrazyFinn]

Truth is I dont think this boat is worth my time or money but I appreciate the wake-up call about cheap vs new boats.

I've bought a couple of cheap rotten boats (that I knew were rotten when I bought them). One of them is ready to go back in the water - once it warms up a bit, but it took me a year of working on it in my spare time. Total cost (in materials) was far less than I would have spent on a new boat, and I KNOW it's solid. I replaced every scrap of rotten wood in that boat! I just don't have the finances to buy a new boat.

The debate I have is if I can only afford to buy used boats but they are likely to need repairs too, then what do I look for?

Look for a boat that you like - that you will like to have for a long time. Preferably with a solid trailer included. Buying a trailer separately will cost more than buying a trailer that already has a rotten boat on it. Make sure the boat is more or less mechanically complete. In other words, steering works, all gauges are there, trim is somewhat functional. If it's an outboard. make sure it runs, gearcase works, and it's something you can still get parts for. If an I/O, make sure it's a Mercruiser or Volvo/Penta (avoid OMC because of parts availability). Make sure the block isn't cracked due to lack of winterization, etc... You know the mechanical systems will need maintenance, repairs, etc. but that's still cheaper/easier than having to find one separately. Make sure windshield and frames are all complete and in good condition - so you're not having to scrounge for oddball "hard to find" parts. Also make sure to budget/plan to spend a few thousand in materials to make it "new". And take your time doing it properly.

Also, the old Chrysler 70 motor works good but lacks “modern” amenities like trim and tilt, is it worth putting on a new hull?

I certainly wouldn't go buy one of those Chryslers, but if it runs well, you already own it, why not put it on another project boat until you find something newer to bolt on there? This is a viable alternative to my earlier comment - if you find a good hull/trailer, fix up the hull, and bolt the motor you already have on it to get on the water.

 

[kcon]

Being that it seems like you're not up to the project of restoring it, I'd pull the motor, sell the motor and controls on craigslist, and scrap the boat as a tax donation. Maybe save the trailer and give it a tune up so you can have it at the ready if you see a boat you like that doesn't come with the trailer.

 

[redneck joe]

cost me less than $20 to scrap my small tri hull.

Shop for a 16' foot aluminum with an exposed transom. Easy to replace if needed, most of the time.

what part of the country are you in?

 

[lancehunt]

I’m in north Dallas, TX area.

I don’t mind another project boat, I just dont think this one is worth it - luckily I didnt pay much for it but dont want to keep repeating this pattern of getting in 1 boating season and then throw away.

I’d love to find a 15-18 foot bass boat, but would also consider a pontoon boat.

 

[redneck joe]

a complete rehab on a basic pontoon is a long weekend project with a competent helper......

a bass boat, fiberglass, will have same potential issues.

 

[sphelps]

Just get a tin boat preferably an all welded one . Whatever needs fixing would probably be a small task .. Go fishin !!!

 

[Woodonglass]

Hope none of the Tin Boat guys on here has a Heart Attack but....I'm gunna agree with Sam and say IF you want to fish quickly and have a good chance and finding a ready to go boat, then an Aluminum Boat would be my choice. IF on the other hand you not only want to fish but have some family time on the water, then look for a fish and Ski type hull and be prepared to restore her as wall. At least then you'll have the boat you want, and after the restoration is done, You'll KNOW it is safe and will last for decades. Just and Old Dumb Okies opinion and it's worth exactly what you paid for it!!!

 

[Redfred1]

Sounds crazy; but I had a neighbor when I lived Houston who gutted the boat; sprayed 3m glue on the inside; then used a pool liner; made a hot tub. (Definity Redneck). Hooked it up to the water heater in his garage. Saw on DIY where there buried the in the ground and made a Koi pond. Added rocks; fountain; etc. I looked good!

 

[VivaLaMigra]

45 year old hull? No friggin' way. The boat in one piece wouldn't fetch you $4 bills cash on the used market. Go on Craig's and find something similar. Right now I have a '72 Starcraft 17 ft trihull with a GOOD transom and decent deck that's going begging for $300. How many weekends do you plan to spend on that loser in addition to the cash for materials?

 

[VivaLaMigra]

Woodonglass mentioned a tin boat. Have done 'new transoms' in a couple of those. Waaaaay! easier on a boat like a Starcraft than on fiberglass! Generally you drill out the rivets in the splashwell, get that out of the way, then remove thru-bolts in transom, cut new plywood and slide it in. Rebolt and re-rivet the splashwell and you're good to go. No messing with epoxy or polyester, either; maybe some 3M 5200 underwater sealant.

 

[VivaLaMigra]

Somebody mentioned an "old Chrysler 70" and lamented the lack of power trim. The Force motors from the 80's thru mid 1990's used the same Prestolite trim system and there are lots of dead ones around - check Craig's and search "Bayliner Capri" for an outboard model that generally came with a Force 85. Yes, the trim will fit. You can swap the transom saddles on so you have a bolt-on transom mount instead of the early Chrysler clamp-on, plus the [sort-of[ Mickey-Moused, with flexible link arm, steering setup so you don't need that deadman-style transom clamp.