Transom Replacement on a 79' Centurion Jet Boat, Fresh Wood Installed.... Rot Free!!

[@AutoTechNick]

**** In the video I refer to the West System G-Flex Epoxy as "605". I miss Spoke, it is 650 ****

[@AncientEntendres]

I just found you’re channel. When I saw what you were working on I was like no way. I’ve got an 83 Centurion Warrior which is basically the same boat except with an outboard. Pretty much doing everything in the boat transom, stringers, and bulkheads. So far I’m done with the transom, and cutting stringers today. I was just searching stringer videos for ideas and you popped up. Looking good!

[@AutoTechNick]

That’s awesome!! Believe it or not, there was another Centurion Warrior that was local to us years ago, that we would frequently see at the lake. Exactly the same boat but with the outboard. It sounds like you are just a scosh behind me with your project. I just finished laminating my stringers in this week. I just need to get the videos edited and uploaded. Best of luck with your project. Feel free to reach out if you have questions. ~ Nick

[@AncientEntendres]

Thanks! I’m in TN and I haven’t seen any around here jet or OB but there’s a few on FB. Looking forward to seeing your stringer video. It’s neat to see someone else’s take on a similar boat. I unfortunately couldn’t salvage my gelcoat on the transom due to blisters that I had to deal with around the motor section. I finally finished fairing the transom and shot several coats of barrier coat to prep for gelcoat. You’re also lucky you didn’t have a splashwell to contend with. That added about 3 weeks of time to mine. I’m way behind where I thought I’d be at this point but I’m just enjoying the process. I was in the boat business for a long time and this was an old project that I’ve been waiting on tackling for about 10 years. I knew it was going to be a time sucker but it will be worth it in the end. I get to keep this one😂.

[@AutoTechNick]

Sounds like a lot more work with the OB! It’s good to hear that you are putting in all the work for yourself and keeping the boat!!

[@turbotony796]

Sweet job on the transom. I am SSSOOOO glad I found your channel, now that the weather is cooling off I am getting ready to replace my stringers and transom so your video series is SO much help. REALLY looking froward to your next video about the stringers. Liked and Subscribed!!!!

[@AutoTechNick]

Your plan is better than mine, 😂. I gotta say I was not pleased with my timing on these repairs. I don’t think anyone wants to be working on their boat all summer long. It’s good to hear that these videos will help you out on your project… that was exactly my intentions. I felt that there was not enough info out there on this stuff.

[@jeffburgert8929]

Clear packaging tap works really good, resin does not stick and it leaves a smooth finish when peeled from a repair. You should try it.

[@stevem8602]

Time for a Silver City beer!

[@AutoTechNick]

For sure!! I usually keep a keg of their ridge top red in the shop, but it’s currently empty. I need to find time to head over and get a new one. ~ Nick

[@josephvasseur3736]

When I do a transom. I use ram board to make a template. I also make the template on the outside of the transom.

[@AutoTechNick]

Thanks for sharing the tips Joseph. I initially was planning to pull the template off the outside of the transom as you mentioned, but the cardboard I had was so flexible and easy to get it to conform that I was able to get it all done from the inside. ~ Nick

[@NRGBOAT_710]

Great work. I replaced all the Balsa in my 18 tunnel jet drag boat and am about to start on my 19 placecraft to bulk it up for lake duty. It's a potato chip. Great content brother!

[@AutoTechNick]

🙏 Thank you. Having one boat project is enough for me. I would lose my sanity with two of them. Your a strong man!! ~ Nick

[@jamiesonsime9197]

Excellent progress and amazing work as always!

[@AutoTechNick]

🙏 Thank you

[@DeniseJuniorOrtiz]

awesome work bro. i enjoyed a lot. also had someone ever told you that you look like the marine from the avatar movie? you could pass as his double.

[@AutoTechNick]

Thank you..... That is the first I have heard that. I guess I look like a blue alien?!?!? 😂 ~ Nick

[@Dave_Dickinson]

Don't complicate it. You'll be filing entire area with thickened resin anyway. Doing great job though. I just finished my 3 year complete restore. So much work.

[@AutoTechNick]

I think most underestimate the amount of work it takes!! I know I did 😂

[@trevoryates3694]

So is the one sheet of 1708 and then tabbed in the all you are puting ? I am going the try to do the transom in a 76 cobrajet its gone it doesn't look like it had anything over the wood idk 😂 I am just trying to get an idea of how many layers and maybe a ballpark on what it cost you thanks can't wait to see it in the water looks great

[@AutoTechNick]

Trevor, I applied one layer of 1708 over the entire transom wood. Then I tabbed it in around the perimeter with additional layers of 8” wide 1708. I plan to go back over the entire transom with a layer of mat, but that is only for cosmetic reasons. I'll cover that in a later video. ~ Nick

[@trevoryates3694]

Ok cool thank you that helps alot I was thinking I was going to need 3 or 4 layers and being i am trying to do it budget minded on a $1500 boat 😂

[@benjaminbidwell655]

U have a stinger install video

[@AutoTechNick]

Benjamin, not yet. I am currently working on installing the stringers right now. Once complete I will edit the video and have it uploaded. I just finished that transom work / video last week. I hope to have the next video with the stringer work uploaded and a couple of weeks. ~ Nick

[@jimmymontes7426]

Could you use the Fiberlay fiber filler for gluing the transom to the boat?

[@AutoTechNick]

@Jimmy Montes personally I would stick with the epoxy. Their is a big strength difference from the epoxy I used to the fiber filler. Plus the fiberfiller is just too thick and will not spread out easily & uniformly. ~ Nick

[@Dudemieser]

I know I am way late but I'm thinking transoms on jet boats take alot different stress than a outboards or io s

[@AutoTechNick]

You are correct. Jet boats do not see a lot of stress on the transom. All the load from the pump is put into the keel of the boat. Most guys actually use 1/2 plywood for the transom. I kept mine at 3/4 because I have swim steps on the back of my boat. ~ Nick

[@Beerkanic]

Good work man, lots of good tips too, just one question for now, we’re did you buy the fiber glass?

[@AutoTechNick]

I purchased all my fiberglass supplies from Fiberlay. Their is a retail store very close to me. ~ Nick

[@GeorgeT6566]

I need your help.

[@AutoTechNick]

👀 are you experiencing the joys of a transom replacement as well?