Bad Transom
 

I have done some searching and it seems that most people replace a transom do so from the inside so as not to disturb the gelcoat or paint on the outside. Is this true of how most would do this massive job?

I am interested in a boat with a rotten or wet transom and was just wondering if this is possible?
I have done this on other boats but none of them were of the go fast type.
thanks RB

From the inside after derig. Check stringers too.

An angle grinder with coarse grit flap disk along with a multi-tool cutting tool are just a few of the items needed but will get you started. Don't forget a Tyvek suit, respirator, and good eye protection.

If the transom is rotten there is a good chance you will find more rot else where like stringers, check everything good for rot before you buy. If you have the willpower to redo the transom it can be done. Just make sure that all the rot found reflects the price you pay for the boat. If you redo the transom yourself it wil probably cost you +\- 2,000 in materials and supplies. That doesn't include your labor/time so keep that in mind as well. There is a lot of information on here(OSO) on repairing transoms, stringers and rot. I'm in the middle of redoing the transom, stringers, and floor in my boat, I have never worked with fiberglass, everything I know about fiberglass I read on OSO. A good start for you is to read ALL of glass daves post as he is a very knowledgable guy that doesn't mind sharing his wisdom. what kind of boat is it?

Also there is some videos on you tube to give you an idea of what you will be getting into. Check out frisco boater on YouTube.

Just please don't use PL glue when you do it :) The videos he did were great, however his product choice could have been much better. Check out the fiberglass section here for sure. Quite a few guys here have started doing transoms using a product by 3M, corebond. Glassdave has been doing this for a while and a member here Borgie was probably one of the first OSO guys to do it on a 1993 Mirage.

I'm going to use corebond myself, good point

The outside layer of glass is quite strong and a big part of the structure of the boat. The wetter the wood is the easier it separates ftom the outer glass hull. But the wetter it is the more extensive the wood damage you will probably find.

It's a project everyone should do.........once!!!!!

^ ^ what he said.