Soft spot in transom?

[Fishingaddict88]

I do have one spot, roughly a 12 inch squared spot in my transom that appears to be soft/rotted. Its right around the area where someone screwed in some brackets for a garmin fish finder. What are my options? I'm pretty handy but not too familiar with boats yet.. I imagine in my head attacking from yhe inside with some new wood and lots of fiberglass layers. (Being careful not to cut into the hull) How far off am I in my thought process? Im to the point now this boat has a lot of issues, mostly minor but they are adding up. I'm considering selling this boat and getting a different one. Atleast now this time I know more of what I'm looking for. I was clueless as this was my first boat.


This is a fiberglass boat.

 

[ondarvr]

Start reading other "soft spot" threads and you'll get a good idea.

 

[Fishingaddict88]

Well crap... I took your advice and now I feel sick to my stomach

 

[jbcurt00]

Yep, thats sort of how most soft spot topics start...

Welcome to boat rehab

Unless you get etremely luck (most arent) or you spend more then you intend to (whatever that amount is) its highly likely you'll end up w a 2nd boat that also needs attention.....

If you like this boat, it has a decent trailer, and a good running motor, you'd be well served fixing all thats wrong w this boat, even if you spend more to fix it then you can sell it for when you're done.

Its how most end up here...

But yep, its a lot of work and probably a good bit more then just a small soft spot, as seen in the topics that made ya sick.

Good luck

Post some pix when ya find time

 

[Fishingaddict88]

Thanks JB, I suppose I'll see how great this motor is first, it's got a few issues I need to get worked out. IF I determine it's a good motor, I might take the time to gut the boat and rebuild. I know it's gonna be pretty pricey but from the videos and stuff I been reading, it's do-able. It's a small expense for something that could possibly last the rest of my life if done right I suppose. Not entirely in love with the boat but I'd hate to part with it and lose out all the money I've invested/rip off the next guy, like I was... I do believe the previous owner was even more naive than myself though. Can't blame him, he was no where near mechanically inclined what so ever.


If I do decide to make this a project, I'll definitely document it all and post it.

 

[tpenfield]

I like the point that JB has raised about selling and getting another boat. You could end up in the same predicament.

Maybe tell us a bit more about the boat, outboard? I/O ?

As you look at the restoration threads here on iBoats, hopefully you will notice a common theme . . . the problems look small at the surface and then once the cutting and digging start, it goes about 3X or even 5X as to what you originally thought.

The nice thing about taking on a repair/restoration project is that you will know the condition of your boat, whereas any other boat maybe just guesswork as to its condition.

 

[JASinIL2006]

Well crap... I took your advice and now I feel sick to my stomach

Many of us know exactly what you're feeling... you go from being excited about your new boat to feeling queasy at the thought of having a rotten transom (and possibly more). Many of us decided to fix the boat and quite a few of us actually found the process very gratifying. I learned so much about my boat and I really now know it inside and out. I know it's well built and I understand how amost everything works. If you are reasonably handy, you can fix yours, too. It's a lot of work, and some parts of it aren't fun, but if you take on the project, we will be here to help.

 

[Fishingaddict88]

Thanks guys, it's an 88 stingray (sterndrive)

I'm currently having some other issues I need to get worked out. Mostly the carb, I want to make sure this motor is solid before I get too deep into a hull rebuild. I definitely feel I could do it, it's more or less a matter of having the time and place to do it. I'm pretty handy under the right guidance and have a little experience in working with laying fiberglass. Plenty of experience in using the tools that would be needed for the job. If and when I do decide to do this job ill definitely be back for some advice and to post pictures of the progress.