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replace transom from outside?

demag67

Well-known member
has anyone ever replaced their transom from the outside or engine side? I ran into yet another problem today on my 281. went to take the jack plates off and a big chunk of glass and gel coat came off the back. the wood in my transom is rotted and the fiberglass is delaminating due to crappy construction. my stringers and everything on the inside is ok. looking to just cut the gel coat out and then remove the wood. then reglass and regel coat it.
 
Does not sound pretty. Do-able? Maybe. I'd consult with Coop or the factory.
You gonna be on the river next weekend? We looked for you yesterday.
BTW- I've got faith that if anybody can do it it's you. Or Patroni.
Might wanna bring him in for a consult.
 
Yes. I know the fishing boat guys do it sometimes. Sorry that's all I got.
My Uncle used to do them for gambler and ranger bass boats and my dad said he did them from the outside too. I sent him some pictures in an email but still waiting for him to get back to me. figured I would see if anyone on here has done it. Sim, only thing right now I have to get me on the water is the jet ski and its still a tad to cold for that. would have loved to be out there with you guys though.
 
These were more guys with center consoles and other Bay and ocean fishing boats that sat in saltwater water 8 months a year so they were more about function than looking pretty.
 
If it were mine, I think I would pop the rub-rail and slide the deck forward enough to slide a transom in from the top. In the end I think it will be less work than cutting, mending and finishing formed glass panels.
 
If it were mine, I think I would pop the rub-rail and slide the deck forward enough to slide a transom in from the top. In the end I think it will be less work than cutting, mending and finishing formed glass panels.

I would rather have done it that way to since the boat is almost bare so it wouldn't have been hard to do plus that is the only way I have done transoms before. problem is they did such a crap job (to be nice about it) that my gel coat and fiber glass came off with my jack plates so I already had to big pieces of gel missing off of the back anyway. plus I now that I see what was done I have to undo what checkmate did. after seeing what is there im glad I didn't hang my 300's off the back or they would have ended up in the water soon. I am hoping that the rest of my hull is a little better made.
 
Sorry to hear this Bruce... I have seen people cut the outer skin off and do a transom from the outside but i have never done one myself. The other option that i have seen done on bonded boats and larger boats is cut the deck just far enough forward of the transom to allow working room. Not sure how your splash well and all is laid out but a combination of the 2 might be the best option for a solid transom... :(
 
thanks guys, well I was pondering buying another hull or just keep going but I hate being beaten so I took a go at it only to find more **** that is going to be hard to replace. but I decided to spent the money and put the nida bond pour transom in it. just have to get all the rotted wood out of it.
 
thanks guys, well I was pondering buying another hull or just keep going but I hate being beaten so I took a go at it only to find more **** that is going to be hard to replace. but I decided to spent the money and put the nida bond pour transom in it. just have to get all the rotted wood out of it.


dang man! hate to hear bout your transom! im surprised it was that bad and wasn't moving or cracking!!! glad you found it though....like you said...don't want your motors takin a swim. :brickwall:

post some pics! id like to see whats goin on!

lookin forward to seein you get er done!
 
Sounds like things are sucking, sorry.
Seriously, give Patroni a yell. He can do anything and I'll bet he wouldn't say
no.
As for your river-rides these days- just give the yell and we'll pick you up at the ramp.
Have passed it 2x's in the last weekend.
P.M. me if you don't have my cell.
 
Sorry to hear its still getting worse!! But PLEASE dont give up on that hull! I love the 281's!! Especially the outboard versions! Im hoping to find one of them or a 2800SX for my next project a few years down the road!
 
thanks for the replies, As much as it frustrates me im not going to give up on it. just wish things would go as planned. 2ton it didn't have any signs the whole time i used the boat. it has been covered up since i sold the motors but we had a bad winter and im guessing the cold made the water freeze enough to make the damage visible. hopefully these problems wont happen again. the new gas tank is coated so no water should be able to reach the aluminum to corrode it on the outside, i just spent $1000.00 on 3m nida-core so the transom will never rot again. my bulk heads will be fiberglassed in so they wont be able to rot. just sucks because i wanted to paint the boat and these things keep taking money and time so no new paint job this year. gonna try this oil stuff that will soak in and dry to hide oxidation so that the boat will look red and shiny for this year, just really want to use it this year. sometimes i wish i could just call up randy and have him ship the 2800 up here with no motors. would just need to find a money tree..
 
atc, not sure if it works great or not but its called owatrol oil. by how it sounds it is kind of a semi permenant thing. there was only two reviews i could find on the gelcoat restorer in jamestown distributors but they both said it was a close to a miracle wax as possible. my red is now white on the top of my boat and wax gets sucked up into my paint so i guess i will see how well it works. works on paint, plastic and gelcoat and soaks into the oxidation and rewets the pigment to bring back color then dries clear on the surface to give a sheen to what ever you are applying it to.
 
thanks for the replies, As much as it frustrates me im not going to give up on it. just wish things would go as planned. 2ton it didn't have any signs the whole time i used the boat. it has been covered up since i sold the motors but we had a bad winter and im guessing the cold made the water freeze enough to make the damage visible. hopefully these problems wont happen again. the new gas tank is coated so no water should be able to reach the aluminum to corrode it on the outside, i just spent $1000.00 on 3m nida-core so the transom will never rot again. my bulk heads will be fiberglassed in so they wont be able to rot. just sucks because i wanted to paint the boat and these things keep taking money and time so no new paint job this year. gonna try this oil stuff that will soak in and dry to hide oxidation so that the boat will look red and shiny for this year, just really want to use it this year. sometimes i wish i could just call up randy and have him ship the 2800 up here with no motors. would just need to find a money tree..


dude....I know the feeling. that's so strange that it just showed up like that. think you will get it on the water this season??
 
I am hoping so. motors are pretty much done other than some hose clamps and need one lower set up. working as much as I can on it. the boat wont be any where near finished but that's ok as long as I can use it.
 
I am hoping so. motors are pretty much done other than some hose clamps and need one lower set up. working as much as I can on it. the boat wont be any where near finished but that's ok as long as I can use it.


well im pullin for ya bro!

seems to me like your pretty much at ground zero now...lol...so you should be well on your way to having the situation in hand.

I got my interior/cuddy 100% finished out and waitin on my pair of 1.87 cles to get back form the shop (had them completely went through)....ready to get the season started.

post pics if you get time! id like to keep up with your progress!
 
atc, not sure if it works great or not but its called owatrol oil. by how it sounds it is kind of a semi permenant thing. there was only two reviews i could find on the gelcoat restorer in jamestown distributors but they both said it was a close to a miracle wax as possible. my red is now white on the top of my boat and wax gets sucked up into my paint so i guess i will see how well it works. works on paint, plastic and gelcoat and soaks into the oxidation and rewets the pigment to bring back color then dries clear on the surface to give a sheen to what ever you are applying it to.


Give this a try on the gel coat, the bassers swear by it on the BBC(bass boat central). The guy that owns the place is very helpful. Here's the link:http://protecproducts.com/
 
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