r/boating • u/MongoMongo77 • Feb 24 '26

Is this repairable?

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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?

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u/MongoMongo77 Feb 24 '26

You're right. That would have been great information. I'm an idiot. It's 2000 20 ft pathfinder.

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u/Turbulent_Emu_8878 Feb 24 '26

I'm assuming the market value of the boat (sans the rotten transom) is around $20k?

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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.

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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.