seacast cost vs plywood transom repair

[22E6441]

OK, this seacast stuff looks great, but seems really pricey. So, if you have to get all the old wood out anyway, why wouldn't you just put new wood into the transom and seal it up? Isn't that a cheaper and just as effective solution?

I'm asking because I know my transom needs to be done this winter. I have a 14 ft fg boat and I think I'll need two or maybe even three buckets of seacast. I live in Canada and can't find any local distributors...so shipping will kill me.

Any general thoughts around this? I'm still in the very early planning stages here.....

 

[Ezrider_92356]

Re: seacast cost vs plywood transom repair

you are pretty much right seems how you have to remove all the old wood its just cheaper and easier to replace with new wood. the advantage of seacast is it will never rot, but your floor and your strings can so why bother. at least thats my oppion.

 

[cprince]

Re: seacast cost vs plywood transom repair

OK, this seacast stuff looks great, but seems really pricey. So, if you have to get all the old wood out anyway, why wouldn't you just put new wood into the transom and seal it up? Isn't that a cheaper and just as effective solution?

I'm asking because I know my transom needs to be done this winter. I have a 14 ft fg boat and I think I'll need two or maybe even three buckets of seacast. I live in Canada and can't find any local distributors...so shipping will kill me.

Any general thoughts around this? I'm still in the very early planning stages here.....

I would go wood-core and use (If I had the money) epoxy. It will last at least as long as your floor and stringers, cost less and epoxy is lots easier to find in Ontario. There are a couple of places here in Ottawa that supply either MAS or West Systems epoxy. You are looking at about $105 to $120 a gallon (4 liters). This is a mixed gallon total with hardener.

I went the polyester resin route... it seems to be the least favorite around here for many well documented reasons, but I am Scottish (Reads: CHEAP) and I am restoring a 14footer. If I had a bigger tub and subject to high HP stresses, I may have held out to spend the bigger bucks on epoxy. As it stands, I paid $60 per gallon for the resin and about $30 on 2 yards of mat and one yard of rove.

What ever you chose, I look forward to your restore thread!

Craig

 

[Driven1]

Re: seacast cost vs plywood transom repair

Yup, I'm with EZ Rider on that one. The stuff is damn pricey and for a transom that's easy to get at, new plywood and glass is definately cheaper. I think SeaCast lends itself well to repairing transoms that are hard to get at but I wouldn't use it anywhere else. If you do a proper job replacing a plywood transom, it'll outlast you and probably your grandchildren if the boat is maintained properly.

 

[BillP]

Re: seacast cost vs plywood transom repair

It's basically polyester casting resin with glass fibers for structure so you can make your own and save considerable coin...that is IF you are capable of knowing how to catalyze for thick pours without cooking it...which is way easier said than done. I think its more for those who don't want to glass or peel apart the boat to get a new transom.

A 99% rot free transom can be done with regular ply and polyester. A 100% rot free transom can be done with pt ply and polyester. No need for expensive materials unless you have money to burn.

bp

 

[cprince]

Re: seacast cost vs plywood transom repair

It's basically polyester casting resin with glass fibers for structure so you can make your own and save considerable coin...that is IF you are capable of knowing how to catalyze for thick pours without cooking it...which is way easier said than done. I think its more for those who don't want to glass or peel apart the boat to get a new transom.

A 99% rot free transom can be done with regular ply and polyester. A 100% rot free transom can be done with pt ply and polyester. No need for expensive materials unless you have money to burn.

bp

Horaay for Commander Bill!!

So far... I like polyester. Admittedly, I have never used epoxy. But the price is right and I like the results I have had so far.

 

[drewpster]

Re: seacast cost vs plywood transom repair

It is a shame that seacast is so over priced. It seems an easy way to make repairs.
If you repair the transom the way I have seen outlined in here several times you will end up with a transom that will be better built than the factory did it. Considering how long it lasted originally, ply and poly resin will most likely last much longer than you own the boat. Epoxy is great stuff and makes a stronger bond with higher strength than poly. (good insurance) But I would only go that route if I were fixing a boat I want my great grandchildren to have.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: seacast cost vs plywood transom repair

i would rather seacast any day, that mess with glassing in a transom. have you read this? http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?t=206019

 

[Robj]

Re: seacast cost vs plywood transom repair

Not a big seacast fan, mostly based on the price, but it involves alot of work also. Think ply is with way to go. Yes epoxy is better, but if you do the repair with poly, will it make any difference? My guess is no, it won't. I just used poly on my project and it worked out great. Just pay a little attention to detail and it will last longer than you will own the boat.

BTW Cprince you paid $60 for a gal of poly resin?? I think you need to find another supplier, here I pay $85 for 5 gals.

Have a great day,

Rob.

 

[cprince]

Re: seacast cost vs plywood transom repair

Not a big seacast fan, mostly based on the price, but it involves alot of work also. Think ply is with way to go. Yes epoxy is better, but if you do the repair with poly, will it make any difference? My guess is no, it won't. I just used poly on my project and it worked out great. Just pay a little attention to detail and it will last longer than you will own the boat.

BTW Cprince you paid $60 for a gal of poly resin?? I think you need to find another supplier, here I pay $85 for 5 gals.

Have a great day,

Rob.

OUCH!!

Do they ship to O-Town? Is it wax-free?

TNKS!

 

[drewpster]

Re: seacast cost vs plywood transom repair

I am guessing that my tri-hull's transom will take about three gallons to do with seacast. ($250+/-) I am also guessing a poly/ marine ply transom will be about two thirds that to do. After reading the threads I have to admit I am leaning toward seacast given the time and trouble saved using it. hmmm?

 

[tysonnathan]

Re: seacast cost vs plywood transom repair

three gallons??? wow, thats not much at all. with my calculations I came up with over 13 gallons to do my 20' bowrider... if it only took three for mine i would definately do it...

 

[drewpster]

Re: seacast cost vs plywood transom repair

WOW I was way off! Sorry I need 4- 5gal buckets. Thats $210 bucks a piece or $810! No thanks, I am using plywood.