Transom cracked what to do?

Movingmen1

New Member
I hope I get some good news on this. Long story short, the boat went down a hill and hit a tree, cracking the transom. Have asked for quotes and companies don't feel it is worth their time. One company quoted me $3000-$4000, 30-40 hours of work.

I am pretty handy with fiberglass and filler and hope someone can point me in the right direction and I will try to repair it on my own? Or is it a waste of time in your opinion? Estimated cost? I also don't know how to pull the transom back into line and make is square? Pictures are attached. Just spent a lot of money getting it back into sailing shape and would be disappointed to part it out. Any worthwhile suggestions are appreciated. Thank you.

Transom_1.jpg Transom_Outside_Boat.jpg Transom_4.jpg Transom_Looking_Down_Inside_Boat.jpg
 
Remove all hardware.

Grind the cracks out to bevels kind of like knife blades

With the stuff out of the way and the cracks ground out it should just straighten itself... or you can apply a backer board to the outside clamped on while working on the inside. when the inside is patched that will hold in place while you fiberglass the outside.

Lay in fiberglass cloth in progressively wider strips to fill the amount ground out and bridge the cracks.

I would use West system epoxy 105 resin, 206 hardener.

Sand and paint with an epoxy based paint best match to the gel coat possible.

Done well, it can be hard to find the repair and it will be as strong as original.
 
Remove all hardware.

Grind the cracks out to bevels kind of like knife blades

With the stuff out of the way and the cracks ground out it should just straighten itself... or you can apply a backer board to the outside clamped on while working on the inside. when the inside is patched that will hold in place while you fiberglass the outside.

Lay in fiberglass cloth in progressively wider strips to fill the amount ground out and bridge the cracks.

I would use West system epoxy 105 resin, 206 hardener.

Sand and paint with an epoxy based paint best match to the gel coat possible.

Done well, it can be hard to find the repair and it will be as strong as original.

What type of filler/patch produt and epoxy based paint would you recommend I use? Think this is very doable, thank you!
 
fiberglass cloth and west system epoxy is what I would use.
I tend to prefer a few of layers of lighter cloth instead of a heavy cloth or mat. 5 oz, 2 oz and 1/2 oz, varying the weave direction each layer.
 
Thank you for your help, I do appreciate it. If I have other questions regarding this repair may I contact you?

Sorry about your misfortune there! My question pertains to the hardware I see you had mounted on the transom. Looks like you have a version 1 with hollow transom, just like mine. Did you do any interior reinforcement prior to mounting the hardware? I have been told that there is a need to fill the void with a material that will achieve strength. That way when you tighten up the through bolts the fiberglass won't stress out and crack. Any thoughts on that matter?
 
Sorry about your misfortune there! My question pertains to the hardware I see you had mounted on the transom. Looks like you have a version 1 with hollow transom, just like mine. Did you do any interior reinforcement prior to mounting the hardware? I have been told that there is a need to fill the void with a material that will achieve strength. That way when you tighten up the through bolts the fiberglass won't stress out and crack. Any thoughts on that matter?

Sorry for the delay in responding, haven't had a lot of time to visit the forum for updates. I checked and believe I have a mod 2, not 1? If you look at pic 2 you will see I attached a piece of hard plastic to the transom and then attached the ladder hardware. Felt the oversized washers would be enough to support the ladder. Haven't had to use it yet but will see??
 
Finally figured out how to get the transom back together and the boat seaworthy again. Hoping to get her in the water this weekend. Thanks again for everyone's input.
 

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