Champion transom

[iron banks]

I posted this in General bass boats thread. I have a champion 97 202 champion with a sick transom. I pulled the trim off the top to find rot on one side. I figured there were some issues since the splash well had gel coat cracks that have gotten worse over the last year. I would like to get an idea what a professional repair would cost as opposed to doing it yourself. Time is a little more important than money but if we are talking a couple of thousand dollars difference then I am willing to make some time. I suspect the previous owner installed a new JP with a 225 optimax and did not seal it well enough. The outside gel coat show no signs of problems. The JP does flex when the I bounce the engine up and down. No play with rotation forces. Rest of the boat is in good shape.

[iron banks]

Modified by iron banks at 9:15 AM 11/24/2008

Photo of the transon


Modified by iron banks at 9:16 AM 11/24/2008

[arjone01]

Don't use that boat! It is too dangerous, That transom is shot! But you're lucky it's the beginning of winter so that you repair it and be ready for spring, I weighed a lot of options, read about every article online about the average Joe and their transom repairs and I wound up going with Seacast for the fact that it was less $$$ and glass work. Yeah it is expensive but every quote I got to paint and match was even more expensive. That and splitting my whole boat wasn't an option. Check it out and see what's best for you. Some guys will say that Seacast is bad and wood is better but in all reality it's just a preference. Good luck which ever method you go but DON'T USE THAT BOAT!!!

Other ways will cost you time. When I did the math I Found to get marine plywood and all of the glass materials delivered was about the same as ten gallons of seacast. What really weighed it was the fact that in 3 weeknights and a Saturday I was finished with my transom and ready for the lake.



Modified by arjone01 at 2:05 PM 11/24/2008

[iron banks]

Another photo, I will look into sea cast for sure

[cart7]

If you do it yourself make sure and post photo's of your experience. Since peeling the top off of a Champion is pretty much a no-go you have limited options.

[iron banks]

Traded the hull for a new champ 198. To much money for the old hull and way to much work for me. Lesson learned with buying used hull with wood in the transom. If I ever consider that again I will have the transom checked by a surveyor. I found evidence that the previous owner knew there was a problem. Buyer beware, although what comes around goes around. I could not have sold that hull to anyone knowing the extent of the problems.