I am preparing for my TRS to Kaama swap and assumed I would need to replace the transom. Not because of any sings of wet or rot but simply based on what I have read on here regarding these older boats. I removed one of the transom assemblies and I am amazed at how good it looks. It appears the hole has been coated with an epoxy or something. The wood under it is in great shape. I think the previous owner had a transom put in this??

Now the million dollar question, do I replace the transom anyway or just plug the TRS holes and prepare for the Kaama rigging?

As everyone knows replacing a transom is a massive amount of work and don't really want to do it if I don't have to.

Thoughts?

Having just completed a transom and stringers, I can completely concur, it's not what most would consider "fun" or "easy". That said, if the transom proves to be solid and rot/water free, I would leave well enough alone. If you want to be sure, drill into the perimeter of the cutouts, and see if the wood is soft dark and moist=BAD news. Or if it's lighter in color solid dry= all good proceed as is. Looks like it was coated, however its aged and cracked, so moisture has likely entered, however might be of little consequence. You can use a moisture meter as well to measure several different locations. Should give you a decent picture of overall soundness.

If you find the wood is good, I would thoroughly prep the cutouts, and coat them (at least 2 coats) of vinyl Ester, unless of course it's a epoxy based layup. This will keep her water free for years to come!

Transoms are a HUGE amount of work, I am not sure what KAAMA transom cutout looks like but I assume it is different than TRS. At minimum you would have to make aluminum or stainless adapter plates/hole blockoffs, they could double as access panels to the back of the motor and trans also.

I would not bother replacing if your happy with the inspection and will feel comfortable on the water. If there is a known issue and everything is out, then it would be a good time for piece of mind. and more solid bite for the new drives. Just my $0.02...

The kaama cutout is actually very small (5" hole with a 8" bolt pattern around it) and it's really low in the hull. I will definetly have to fill the TRS cutouts along with the exhaust and a bunch of other bolt holes. The other gimbal comes off this weekend, I will see what that side looks like!
Thanks
Jim

Boy I am really torn! I will do some more investigation.

Just did the same inspection on my Donzi 22. Removed everything to get a good look at transom and fix gimbal. Transom is solid so I sealed it up some more with epoxy and re-assembled. No need to replace.

Why replace if its good and solid? Patch your TRS cutouts with a good staggered piece repair and go. Plenty of boats have had drive cutouts filled and recut for different application without having a total transom replaced.

Yep. What he said. My grandpa's favorite line was "If it ain't broke, don't fix it".

Finally got the port gimbal off and this side is a site for sore eyes! A transom it is I guess!