There comes a time when you`ve had enough and can`t take it anymore emotionally, mentally and financially .
I was told about 50hrs and $5k for the transom. Today he says they got 86 hrs into it, last transom job is all falling apart and delaminating etc etc , now the bill is $10k and needs another $2500 to paint the outside below rubrail.
thats pretty much the straw that broke the camels back.
I can`t do this anymore, the money I`ve put into it is insane and there has to be a point where enough is enough.
Today is that day unfortunately.

Totally get it.... hence why there's a scarab CC in my barn, turn keys and go ..

Sorry to hear Dan . It looks like your glass guy should be working at a fast food joint not on performance boats . That’s why I do most of work myself . Hey you will enjoy the jet boat for sure . If you ever get up to Toronto we will get on my old tub on Lake Ontario . Cheers RG.

Part of the reason I gave up on older boats.

Been there done that, last spring I sold my 35 Fountain in hopes of replacing it with a 38, the first couple weeks I missed it for the simple fact I did not have a boat to go out on,then my neighbor was getting out a boating and for the heck of it I bought the boat to have something to use in the meantime, it’s a 28 chaparral twin engine small block I thought I was going to hate it, but I got to be honest it was the most stress-free boating season I had last year turn the keys and go, don’t have to worry about looking at oil pressure don’t have to worry about speed don’t have to worry about **** other than making sure there’s some fuel in it so it keeps running, not sure I’m in a hurry to replace it either

That looks terrible! Who did that work? I am not a glass guy, but pretty sure that is not right.

How come?
Those are pics he sent me of previous repairs that need to be fixed. that`s not what he did . He does 20-30 transoms a year and all the work with the bottom and strakes he did for me has always been top notch. maybe I`m wrong

Sorry Dan I thought that was his work . My bad . I cut my fiberglass teeth in the C2 corvette restoration business in the mid to late seventies . You have followed my Flat deck notch thread in the past so I am no virgin to fiberglass repair . No disrespect to your glass guy but any Transom I have done in the past breaks down kind of like this
Strip old transom 14 hours $1400
prepare transom wood and stringer end caps 7 hours $ 700
install transom wood and stringers end caps 14 hours $ 1400
finish exterior transom and glass work 14 hours $ 1400
2 sheets 4x8 okume marine mahogany marine plywood $ 500
5 gallons vinyl ester resin $ 500
50 sq yard 1708 fiberglass $ 1000
sand and pant transom $ 1000
Extras ( drill transom for gimbals etc. ) $ 1000

If your guy spent more time than that it would interesting to know why . Once the old wood is out those old war wounds just grind away any more than that seem excessive. but I what do I know I am just an old fashion book keeper . Sad to see that this experience has soured you on such an amazing project . But i get it at some point enough is enough .

Hi Tim , Got to say I love your Scarab and look to get one just like it for my place in Florida . But unfortunately if it is not a composite boat it too one day may need a transom . It is the curse of this hobby . Some time I think drugs would have been cheaper .
LOL Rick G