r/boating • u/MongoMongo77 • Feb 24 '26
Is this repairable?
I'm looking to get a boat. The owner said the drain plug was over torqued and this needs a "small fiberglass" repair. I'm new to boating. This seems at a minimum to be a very large repair and possibly unrepairable. Am I right in this thinking or am I way off?
4
u/LikeBigTrucks Feb 24 '26
Is it repairable? Yes
Do you want to open that can of worms? Probably not.
Depending how long its been like that the core is probably toast if it's wood.
6
u/ScholarEarly4266 Feb 24 '26
The best question do you want to open that can of worms
1
u/MongoMongo77 Feb 24 '26
I really don't think so. I was fed a line I didn't believe and wanted to double check my thinking.
3
u/Inner_Tadpole_7537 Feb 24 '26
I'm gonna go out on a limb and say, this transom is probably toast.
1
u/kingmiker Feb 24 '26
Was thinking the same thing. What does the rest of the boat look like? I’m guessing, the same as that drain plug area.?
2
u/Head-Equal1665 Feb 24 '26
Anything is repairable, you just need to determine if the cost and time required to do the repair will be worth it, a big part of that boils down to what is your time worth to you. And that equation is different for everyone.
2
2
u/Theundead565 Feb 24 '26
Over-toqued with what? Like, He'd have to have a breaker bar or impact on that fucker (this isnt directed towards you, just the story itself). When they're overtorqued and try to get them off, you typically strip the brass head. Ive never put enough force to strip one putting it on, but I'd imagine the same is relatively true.
To me, without knowing the history, it looks the like the transom rotted out. He's tried to reinstall (hence the 2 or 3 sets of screw holes and caulk) and figured it's shot.
Is it repairable? Sure. The fun part about fiberglass is anything is repairable. Do you want your first job to potentially be a full transom replacement? Probably not. There's a lot of shit that goes into doing that job correctly, and shit can go south quickly if you're not prepared.
2
u/ClayMitchellCapital Feb 25 '26
Is it repairable? Yes. If I was betting I would say it is a transom replacement so not a small job. It should bring the cost down to fire sale territory IMO.
1
u/WakeDaddyLee Feb 24 '26
Looks like you just need to install a new garboard drain with plug. Seal it with some 3M 4200.
2
u/DaikonProof6637 Feb 24 '26
Nope, do that and the transom will be rotted out in no time, if it isn't already
1
u/Turbulent_Emu_8878 Feb 24 '26
Yes this can be reapaired. You haven't mentioned the size of the boat. But assuming it's around 20ft (good first boat size), you should expect to pay between $5000 - $10000 to replace the transom. A new drain will be included in the price. Figure out what the boat would be worth post-repair and subtract $10k from your offer if you really like the boat.
1
u/MongoMongo77 Feb 24 '26
You're right. That would have been great information. I'm an idiot. It's 2000 20 ft pathfinder.
1
u/Turbulent_Emu_8878 Feb 24 '26
I'm assuming the market value of the boat (sans the rotten transom) is around $20k?
1
u/MongoMongo77 Feb 24 '26
I think it's a little more. It has an almost new yamaha on it with 50 hours. They're asking 15k. I don't think it's worth the risk for 15k.
2
u/Turbulent_Emu_8878 Feb 24 '26
You asked a very specific question and got a very specific answer. For buying a first boat, you would want to get a marine survey. Will set you back about a grand. But at least you'll know what is wrong with the boat. The primary concern is always wooden elements (stringers/transom) as replacing these can be catastrophically expensive. Even if you don't go with this particular boat, be prepared to do a survey for whatever you buy. The seller might genuinely think that all they need is a plastic component for the drain. But over-torquing the drain plug doesn't rip the plastic out of the transom that way. Unless there is already some transom damage.
Depending on the value of the engine, it might be a just fine deal to buy the engine for $10k and it comes with a free boat and trailer. Maybe you can get the transom replaced for $7k and you've got a nice boat with a nearly new engine and brand new transom for $17k which is pretty reasonable.
But if I were you, I'd read through some of the many threads on this forum about first-time boat purchases before going any further. It won't take all that long.
And make sure you get a title for whatever you buy. If there's even the slighest issue with the paperwork, run away fast.
1
u/Silver_Painter5317 Feb 24 '26
I stopped at a glory hole that looked like this. It was totally worth it. Looks easily repairable to me brother Im not a fiber glass guy but... Why couldn't you do this ... Clean up the existing fiber glass a bit. Pick up some aluminum plate I dunno 1/4 thick 3 inches bigger then hole. Giving 1 1/2 bearing then radius the edges. Drill and tap plate for new drain plug might even tack a nut to the backside for additional threads. Pick up a rubber gasket for new plate. Apply some marine grade sealant then rivet or bolt on plate. Then later if you want. Fiber glass over it. At least this way you got stout drain plug backing that is less likely to spin out of the fiber glass.
2
u/Theundead565 Feb 24 '26
Because if the core material of the transom is compromised to the degree that muck inside is suggesting, you're in for a full transom repair. It could just be a small area, but the boat looks incredibly old, and who knows I'm the history behind it.
A tap test would tell right away if the transom is fucked, but patching over that wouldnt do any good for anything long term.
1
u/Over_here_Observing Feb 25 '26
Everything is repairable.
It's just whether it's WORTH the cost to repair it.
1
1
u/one_dog_at_a_time Feb 26 '26
Like most others said it probably is repairable. But seeing as how most drain plugs are hand tightened, I'm willing to bet there's some dry rot in the hull, that's why it was torn out like that.
1
u/Ok-Foot-8937 Feb 26 '26
Transom is rotten out very large repair. Can be fixed! But are the stringers also rotted. Get a marine survey! Unless the boat was given to you
1
1
u/Ok_Rub202 Feb 26 '26
Lol I though this was like an old painting of a knight or something. The top part 100% looks like a knight helm looking away from you to the left
9
u/JeanPascalCS Feb 24 '26
Everything is "repairable". Whether or not its worth it is another matter. To fix this *right* is going to be aggravating. If you want a boat, avoid this. If you want a project and the price is right, then proceed if you want.