Transom Issues

[corkfish]

I own a 1993 252 sailfish. Like many of the older Grady's this one has developed water intrusion issues in the transom and hardtop. My surveyor checked the boat thoroughly with a moisture meter and these are the only areas affected.

My question is for those that have had the transom repaired, would you do it again? I am debating if I want to spend the money and make the repairs or take my losses and get out of the boat and let someone else deal with the problem. I have loved the boat and it has been a great fit for 18 plus years that I have owned it. I recently replace fuel tanks and lines as well as repairing the deck hatch. The transom repair is out of my skill comfort level.

So lets hear the pros and cons of repairing it. BTW I am still running the original motors as well.

thanks for any input

 

[cgmiller]

I did the transom on my 23 Gulfstream last year and it cost me about $7000 including removing the engines and reinstalling them. It sounds like you really like the boat and only you can decide if you want to keep it for a while....

 

[Pez Vela]

Is the boat unseaworthy? Well ... is it? Are there any objective symptoms, beyond moisture readings, that the transom's integrity has been compromised? How bad is it? Is the condition such that it jeopardizes the safe operation of the boat? It doesn't have to be perfect. Without knowing more, I wouldn't hazard a recommendation, but a third option may be to leave well enough alone. I'm more of a "new engines and new fuel tanks" sort of guy. Those are wear items. When a hull starts falling apart, it's time to move on, unless you're a "project" guy, which I'm not.

 

[corkfish]

Sorry for the delay in response. Yes it is more than just a moisture issue, transom replacement is in the boats future, either for me, or a new owner. I was looking for responses from those that have done the replacment, would they do it again, or do they wish they had gotten out of the boat and started over. I have loved the boat, but ....when is enough.

 

[Capt Bill]

Never had to make that decision, but I have to ask you if you could get this boat sold (with full disclosure of the issues), and into a new one that you would like as well as the Sailfish, for under $7k? If not, then a new transom makes sense, other than that theboat will be out of service for a month. Could the project be put off until off-season, or is it already out of service?

 

[RAINMAKER]

If you have some mechanical experience and some type of workshop or garage, that repair bill can be cut considerably by derigging your motors and removing them yourself. Also re rig them yourself. It's not that hard...... usually the hardest part is just to get started.
Any SeaV2 hull Sailfish is a really great platform as you already know and definatly worth fixing , The one thing I would recommend if you have the transom done is to replace the bracket if it has the "Grady" drive style on it ie; the exposed bolts that hold it to the transom. The Gill style where the bolts are inside the bracket and not exposed made for a much neater and watertight bond between bracket and transom.
As for your engines ,do they still run good? Way up in hours and starting to nickle and dime you to death ? If not keep running them ..... Lots of older engines still going strong. Hell if people repowered cars like they do boats I'd love to own a salvage yard!!!! You can buy alot of gas for the cost of a repower....... just saying.......

 

[corkfish]

Thanks for the thoughts guys, sometimes it helps to hear it from someone else.

The boat is still in use, I am being gentle with it. i am trying to make it to the off season.

i guess it is time to get a real estimate, then make a decision. if anyone has experience with a repair shop in the Kent Island area

please speak up.

 

[Capt Bill]

Although Jim at BOE Marine is primarily an electronics guy, I believe he may know who to call. I'd want it to be someone who can provide several references who have had this work done. That's about all I can offer, but others may chime in. Good news is you are located in an area that should be loaded with people in this business.

 

[corkfish]

thanks Capt Bill

 

[gw204]

Delmarva is loaded with competent builders and repair shops. Composite Yacht is very highly regarded and people speak highly of Judge Yachts as well. That being said, I've seen a transom that was rebuilt by Judge and was not at all impressed. That could have been a fluke as I have heard conflicting stories about the level of work that was contracted though.

 

[corkfish]

thanks Brian, I didn't think about Judge, I 'll stop in and see what Bill has to offer. there are a lot of people around here that do fiberglas work. But when you think about hanging 400 hp off of it....well lets hope it's right