[EP11] Fibreglass Boat Transom Replacement From The Outside

Nearing the time of sale of my beloved Haines I discovered the transom had water ingress and rot especially around the engine bolt holes and rear well drain holes due to a poor design. I replace the transom from the rear using marine plywood and variety of methods and tricks I researched and thought up myself.
This series features the semi restoration of a very cheap Haines Signature 530F in need of a lot of work. It aims to educate people on how to perform good quality, but very budget orientated repairs and modifications to all things mechanical especially boat building.

[@waynemartin4477]

I know I am a Yank. lol But I have to say very impressive. I have done many many transom repairs. Your is a job above. Thanks

[@hullhealersboatworksrestor4377]

As someone who does this for a living (at least 3 transoms per month anyways), you did a GREAT job. There is a few things I would have done differently, but, you did a great job on this. I think this is one of the best videos I have seen on a DIY transom replacement on KZbin. Biggest thing I would have done is not to ever put any plywood on the boat again, but since you did, you probably would have been better off pre saturating each piece with resin (especially on the end grains) and glassed it with that 1708 Biax before putting it to the boat. I think this transom will DEFF hold up and you did great!

[@cheapthrillsgarage]

I appreciate your comment, and that is some good advice ^^

[@cameronpratley4034]

Just wondering what you would use instead of marine ply?

[@hullhealersboatworksrestor4377]

@@cameronpratley4034 coosa board or any other HDPF board that is reinforced with fiberglass. If you go Coosa, you must go with Bluewater 26 not the 20.

[@MrDarchangelomni]

except those two huge voids on the first layer WTF? his second layer was full plywood starboard to port, but his first is just the 2.5 feet in the middle and what was up with that non symmetrical shape, I just gotta know the thinking, like why leave that piece if the matching piece was cut off, or vice versa why put it there if the other side didnt have one? we just like odd polygons? Again for a "solid" transom why have two huge voids in the first layer, 4 if you count the bilges which now dump on untreated plywood?!? Be honest bro it was a weekend warrior hack at best, the sorta thing you do if you wanna buy cheap and sell high to someone who will never inspect the inner side of that work. btw two easy to get opyions besides plywood that will last longer than the plywood are poly carbonate dimensional lumber and if you want a see through hull or transom, acrylic sheets. Make a sandwich of 2.5 oz mat, biax, plexiglass,biax,plexiglass, biax (45 degrees rotated) plexiglass, biax,2.5 oz mat - with 1/8 inch p[lexi that laminate core is approaching 3/4" as well as bullet proof to alot of pistols :) wrap the area with 6 mil polyethylene and put a vacuum pump on it, to suck out bubbles and press all the fiber homogenously. make sure you use clear slow set epoxy, once hard... the boat i mean, wet sand with 2500 grit, buff with 600 rpm and polishing compound then hand wax, you can actually make an entire boat like glass.

[@peteramberley9952]

@MrDarchangelomni seems like you love the sound of your own voice dude.quit bitchin he done a brilliant job

[@1cleandude]

Bro what an epic repair job! Had you been present for the original build this repair would never be required! Wonderful eye for detail bravo!🙏🙏🙏

[@iain1969]

I did my transom in 2005 and this brought back many memories. I separated the deck and went from the inside but so many of the techniques we both used were the same. I too was obsessed with no cavities and made it super strong and millimetre perfect. People at the time said it was "over-engineered" but 16 years later it's still solid as a rock and in rough weather I like knowing my boat is stronger than it came out of the factory. Outstanding video and thank you for sharing your project with us. Iain

[@robertp7209]

It will last forever, thanks to your effort.

[@Wayno228]

I'm debating on if I want to do my transom and floor but so worried about my motor falling off lol cause I am not a fiberglass guy I can get away with patches but a whole transom yikes been watching videos for over a month

[@xstrata81]

Man awesome job , I’m about to do my boats transom and I’ll be watching this video a few times through it. Cheers dude

[@huntleymanning8143]

Dude, I repair broken wind turbine blades in the US, That is one of the best repairs I have ever seen! Thanks for sharing!!

[@nicholasliemareff9451]

Great video, I have the same boat and your video will help as I have not tackled fiberglass before. Great tips through out video, thank you. Nice to know the transom has not got a full double plywood sheet construction.

[@ChrisBrunner-rr6th]

Nice work, I liked the narrative and step by step description. You'd make a good teacher. Keep up the good work. Thank you.

[@HobbyFinn2]

I used West system Epoxy for all gluing and filling. Stronger, more fresible and seals water. Nice clean job!

[@JohnDoe-le8fy]

Insane level of detail! So impressive!

[@gregredden3871]

Great video. Really appreciated. I have same boat with a transom I think is in the same condition. Thinking of repowering so thinking of replacing transom first.

[@davez4172]

Well done! I put a new transom and stringers/deck in my boat a couple of years back. I did it all from the inside but used many of the same techniques. I used epoxy instead of polyester resin. The epoxy is more expensive but as I understand it, it will adheres better and has a longer pot life. If I ever do it again, I think I will go with polyester resin since I have some experience now and I can go quicker.

[@pittythemillwrong5021]

I have two old boats I need to fix transom on! This will be very helpful thanks man :)

[@raystomberski4480]

Awesome great work on boat, you are a master of repairs thanks for the video I enjoyed it

[@916hayabusa]

Yes, a speeded up video, without awful ‘music’ blasting out, that I have to mute and then miss dialogue. Thankyou 🎉👏👏👏.

[@TriumvirVespasianus]

Nice Job! Didn't know one can rebuild transom from the outside, now I do! Thanks!👍🚤

[@homesteadingonanemptywalle6202]

Awesome job and video. Best I have seen!!!

[@cappystrano1]

Good build, thanks for posting.👍

[@wallyworld817]

Nice job. Thank you for posting 🙏

[@KnottsFishing]

Great job, hoping the boat I have on my channel doesn't end up needing a transom! Keep up the great work.

[@moviefreppa]

Fantastic good work! Thanks for sharing your knowledge!

[@janolesen6045]

awesome vid, will be my reference when replacing my transom

[@shoominati23]

We did the transom for the big black RIB for the WA Police TRG that are 24ft long have 2 x 250s on the back from memory. They were doing donuts on the Swan River basically (yours and my money at work there!) and dug the bow in and flipped over and someone noticed the transom was cracking badly when they got it salvaged. We basically put 1 inch of ply in the middle with over an Inch of solid glass either side. That thing wasn't going anywhere, and it's been a while since I bought my own glassing supplies I must say ;)

[@garywinkworth3380]

man you done a terriffic job. excellent thanks for shareing mate

[@jimmyghersi]

Great job and informative video!

[@psi23k]

Great video mate. Love it 👌

[@crawfordconnell4334]

Great job ! I am glad i kept you subscribed even though it has been a while since last vid. I have really enjoyed your journey with this boat. I particuarly like that you show your little ideas on how it can be done solo in a shed. Good detail on all the products too. Cheers.

[@TheMadawg67]

Better than the last person I watched try this

[@frisko3000]

Looks really neat. Great job.

[@stevenichols1861]

Great video mate

[@VWGeme]

Great video. Labor intensive. Good outcome.

[@GrooveyTuesday]

Another excellent video. I’m about to tackle a very similar project on a 1990 Sea Nymph here in Auckland. Ive never done anything like this before so it’s a pretty daunting undertaking. Thanks for taking the time to show how you did everything. You’ve done an outstanding job with your boat and with the tutorials, well done!

[@cheapthrillsgarage]

Definitely made a few mistakes along the way as people pointed out, but I'm happier with what I learned than the project itself.

[@peterrivney552]

Cut the inside not the outside and slide it in from the top of possible as 1 full sheet of wood it will be stronger for the motor ... It's not an easy job I worked many of them and getting the right mixture for the resin is tricky at times and don't use may fiberglass use screen fiberglass like your screen door has it is stronger than the mat

[@peteramberley9952]

Excellent job buddy.nice pug in the garage too

[@jimmyghersi]

Great instructions Thank you

[@goforitrazz]

Im digging out my two 3/4 inch sheet transoms plywood from the inside,don't have much experience and don,t know anyone that does,so here i am,the wood looks like there is epoxy around the outdrive as i can see the mat on both sides about 20 inches from the sides.Once i get the first piece fit.Im at 13 min now and im in to new territory,set up will be important.

[@patreilly4293]

Great video!

[@itsnotfar]

I call it a Rock bar. Overkill is always good. I enjoyed your video.

[@michaelschuler7397]

That’s top notch good work

[@joelstanhope7231]

Having done this i highly recommend a belt sander with a shop vac attached to the vacuum. Dont breathe in the dust , not even a little

[@thublit]

Heck of a well done job:)

[@poiryra]

Very nice job!

[@richardwolske2015]

Nice job ! 👍

[@camaroguy84]

This has given me hope I can do this

[@pierre-yvesasensio9905]

beau travail , dans les règles de l art bravo.

[@AboxofMonsters]

Looks like a good job to me 👍 Just watched one on another channel I got an audio visual of eating a little log in the dark on the river and ending up at the bottom 😳.

[@sil0kin]

Never done a transom but I’m attempting this season. Wish me luck

[@1401196616091996]

Just subscribed…. Love these vids…. keep it up….

[@michaelh7527]

I have done two transoms before. It's definitely labor intensive. The first was with marine plywood. The second, I used pour in composite transom. I will never use wood again. The pour in is so much easier and stronger. No cutting, fitting, or filling.

[@micknewman8941]

Michael, what brand pour in would you recommend?

[@rotivoliveira]

Great job

[@cornwasher]

First class job....

[@SpaceFlightApparel]

fair play man lovely job!.....wish me luck!!! 🤟🤟🤟

[@Landonmartin87]

Good job bro.

[@Carlos-ip2ir]

Awesome video definitely helps when doing this for the first time, how long did the process take

[@pattihall8346]

Nice job.

[@parton45852]

An empty caulk tube works great for injecting thickend resin into gaps, west marine sells empty tubes for just that purpose

[@Grantdaryn]

Good step is to resin the would let it dry. Then re-resin. The wood absorbs resin and will create air pockets. Also good to sand after each dry session to get the next layer if you are going to apply another layer,, a rough surface to stick on.

[@robtorresan6463]

But hes using unwaxed resin

[@hidel308]

Very nice work, shame you didn’t have a couple of friends there to help you out. I know what it’s like to work solo, and most of the time it sucks.

[@nymack66]

I did mine back in 2008 and some folks give me hell with all sorts of nasty comments and bad wishes, Guess what it's now 2022, and my (Wellcraft V20 1984) is currently powered by a 2015 Etech 135 HO still running strong, the transom is solid as a rock as it did from day one, I poured mine with Arjay 2011. BTW I have a jack plate with a 4" setback. I pity anyone doing the extra work from the inside and going back with wood. My hull is now 90 percent composite material and once I do the stringers and deck sometime in the future it will be 100 percent composite. Wood has no place in Boats in 2022 I pity builders who still do this.

[@jetson328]

Very Good Job

[@commonman1087]

Fantastic thank you,

[@hebert4230]

How did you do the corners with the new glass? Did you overlap each strip of glass to the intersecting? Curious as I’m doing the same repair to my boat. Thanks

[@africaster]

Instead of using a syringe, an icing bag that one would use to decorate cakes works spot on as well. Cheers

[@bigblock1968impala]

Like the job, my son likes the Peugeot

[@stephenengel4541]

Hello there! Just came across this video! I have a simular project to do! Do you by chance have a BOM list to share? How much did it finally end up costing? Most appreciated! Take care

[@geoffstein3896]

Awesome video! Are you a shipwright builder? If not how do you know where to start what you need and what you are talking about? It rolls off your tongue with authority so guessing you have done quite a few beforehand. Thanks

[@phil7791]

looks a sturdy job! Is that a 10kg tub of resin? Did you just need the one?

[@qlder2020]

hi where r u i seek some where in brisbane to buy resin online is only from syd and mel also could you tell me the mix as in resin to hardener as if i was mixing 400ml of resin thanks

[@virgiljohnny]

Quick question -- why did you build it in layers instead of building the entire thing and putting it in? Thanks.

[@donnawilson5035]

Hey mate great video very informative, Im in Melbourne with the same boat, do you mind if I ask what was the rough cost in materials less the two pack painting was?

[@cheapthrillsgarage]

Probably around the $800 mark

[@mikeyo1990]

hey great video, im about to take on this project myself. Do you remember how much resin you used? also nice gti!

[@haydenloader4529]

Does the cab-o-sil and epoxy resin mixture work for bonding thermalite/composite board together too?

[@cheapthrillsgarage]

Yeah it does

[@sbuzz5889]

very good job i know its not that easy we missed all the sanding

[@peterrivney552]

Most of the time when the transom is rotten so is the floor but I like working on glass boats better than aluminum boats I never liked riviting them and checking for leaks just to noisy... Don't use thinner use alcohol to do cleaning for dust etc. For clean tools use thinner but it will effect the fiberglass resin

[@mitchellcronk1257]

Hey mate awesome video looking at doing the transom in my boat just wondering where you sourced all of your materials from besides the plywood

[@cheapthrillsgarage]

Ace Fibreglass, Kawana, QLD, Australia

[@neptuneatlantic4883]

Without even watching the video I already see a BIG mistake brother. The fiberglass hull is like a perfect egg that you NEVER compromise. Especially cutting out the transom 😳. What you’re supposed to do is cut the old wood that supports the transom FROM THE INSIDE. Even if it means cutting/removing the rear top capping along the top sides near stern… then you have working space. After stripping all plywood from inner transom.. down to inner skin then cardboard template, multi layered plywood with epoxy glue and screws through transom from inside out (avoid engine mount bolt area). Can remove screws between layers after glue dries. Now glass in your 3-5” thick transom that has not been compromised. Take it from an ole pirate of Caribbean. I’ve had two friends lost to sea from that type work.

[@cheapthrillsgarage]

Perhaps you should watch the video and listen as to why it was done this way, and that yes I also explain the best way is from the inside, however this video is on how to do it from the outside.

[@citizen1675]

@@cheapthrillsgarage I worked many years at Marathon boatyard in the Fla. Keys. I was the space age goop guy in the 80s. I will be very surprised if this hull lasts. The only thing holding your transom in is two inches of lapped glass. Good luck mate.

[@nossrc5638]

​@@citizen1675 same i was thinking 🤦‍♂️🤦‍♂️

[@damianpeter244]

Hey bud great video!! Have watched it a few times now. Can you please advise where you got your materials from, and quntities. I am in QLD too, and have a similar size boat that needs replacement on. Many thanks for the video its inspring!!

[@cheapthrillsgarage]

Kawana Fibreglassing Supplies is your go, very helpful

[@jimr6281]

Thanks for creating and sharing this video. Not exactly the way I would have done it but I'm sure it will be fine and last quite a while. Question - is that a P38 I saw in the background?

[@bobcaygeon4533]

Not being a smartass, but how would you have done it. Just a general idea. I never would have thought to replace the transom from the outside. It would seem like less work than tearing up the whole back of the boat. I ask because I am looking for a project boat. Its seems that 8 of 10 older boats have bad transoms.

[@cheapthrillsgarage]

Disco 1

[@Beachnative42]

when did it sink?

[@kalaganne]

GG for the job! (But you working so close from the GTI it sacred me 😅)

[@ozskipper]

great vid mate.. YOu could also borrow your nans Icing bags to fill gaps..

[@richardcarter3406]

Ziplock bag.fill and cut off a corner.

[@puzlone]

What kind of mask did you wear to paint the 2 pack?

[@popsoldboats3406]

All glass matt manufacturers tell us to lay the widest layer into a repair and place smaller pieces in the low areas as you work till glass is just proud of the original surface. Look good Ethier way though. Let us k ow how long the paint holds up.

[@RickArmstrong]

Thanks for posting; very helpful. Question: at 2:30 in the video, you mention "...some sources say 8x, some say 10x...". Could you mention the sources? If there's somewhere I can read-up on this sort of thing, I'm very interested.

[@cheapthrillsgarage]

Think I found a google book on fibreglassing and had a read of common repairs

[@RickArmstrong]

@@cheapthrillsgarage Thanks, I'll do some more digging.

[@ryangaker387]

Great video. Curious how much you think you spent on the whole repair? There’s quite a lot of comments and you’ve probably already answered that question so sorry if this is a repeated question. I did try and scan through and never could find an answer. Thanks for sharing your knowledge with all us

[@cheapthrillsgarage]

I would think about $1000-$1200 AUD

[@aliratanner3060]

Hey mate used your techniques to do my floor and transform but woundering why you didn't just spray flow coat instead of paint

[@cheapthrillsgarage]

I don’t think it’s any less hassle, getting a spray gun, comp, hose and nasking everywhere up is just as time consuming.

[@kizzjd9578]

Your neighbours must love you lol

[@user-zx6we3ct1c]

Lol😂 I call my crowbar my smash n grab:)

[@brodyogle6466]

Hey mate, I’m about to attempt a similar transom rebuild on my 4.8m. Just wondering if you can give me an idea of how much matting and resin that you used for the job? I live remotely and have to order all the materials but am a bit unsure of how much I’ll need. Cheers

[@cheapthrillsgarage]

I’d recommend 15m of matting and 10L of resin.

[@brodyogle6466]

@@cheapthrillsgarage thanks mate!

[@seetarampersad7101]

can i use metal instead of wood.

[@xboxkywst]

Could you please supply a list of material you bought, how much would you charge for that job? My friend wants me to do his transom the same way but not sure what to charge, oh yeah he's not that good of a friend lol

[@cheapthrillsgarage]

I spent about $1200 AUD on materials, and spent probably the best part of 4 full days doing it. - Biaxial matting - Chop strand matting - Core material, use Thermolite - Resin/catalyst - Flow coat - Cabosil filler - Q Cells filler

[@markmcconnell4225]

Did wet the plywood with resin first, then put glass down???

[@cheapthrillsgarage]

Yes soak it 2-3 times

[@richardwernst]

Wow, kudos! And you tackled it by yourself, amazing. Rough cost for materials, wood, fiberglass, resin, sanding stuff, special chain saw blade for grinder, etc.?

[@cheapthrillsgarage]

$1000

[@mickallan2071]

How much money did you spend on the main transom rebuild? And any idea on how much time approx all up. Bit of a guess I know. Over how many days about. Cheers Mick

[@cheapthrillsgarage]

Probably $1500 and 4 days in the shed.

[@grahamrichardson3532]

I done fibreglass for 40 years mekp is added at 1.5 to 2% never do you go below 1.5% does not matter how hot it is .and layer up at 60 to 40 % of resin bog or filler to thin and and glass should be worked a lot more .last 10 years I have only done transom. Also approved to do repairs to aircraft up to dash 8. Written two books on glass work

[@cody2097]

We call that a digging bar here in usa

[@wuzgoanon9373]

Nice work. Hope I never have to do it.

[@maineoutdoorsman677]

Guy next door works on his boat all night long ,,an talks to him self ,crazy bugger ,foster for beer 🍺

[@Justin-td4bb]

I'm confused about why people say to use epoxy if it's below the water line but transom repairs are done with polyester resin which is not recommended for below the water line.

[@yyabay]

heyy you have an 205 Gti :) i had two of theese.... Flying coffin

[@cheapthrillsgarage]

It'll be the next project most likely.

[@derflitermouse8976]

Why would you use wood and not starboard? Sandwiching any wood between non-breathable fiberglass is guaranteed to result in more rot.