How to Remove the Transom From Inside a Boat

When you have a soft spot in your transom but it's on the inside only, it's like having a tire that's only flat on the bottom. Just like you have to change the tire, you have to remove the damaged material inside the transom and replace it with a transom filler. If you choose to remove the transom from the inside, the process must still be done ashore.

Things You'll Need

  • Straightedge
  • China marker
  • Drill
  • 1/2-inch bit
  • Measuring tape
  • Jigsaw
  • Marlinspike
  • Hammer
  • Chisel
  • Plywood
  • Automotive paste wax
  • Self-tapping screws
  • Screwdriver
  • Transom filler
  • Palm Sander
  • 80-grit sandpaper
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Instructions

    • 1

      Draw a line across the top of the transom, between the inside of the transom and the inside of the sides of the boat, using a straightedge and china marker. Draw lines inside the boat, down the joints between the sides of the boat and bottom of the boat.

    • 2

      Drill one 1/2-inch hole at any point on any of the lines, using a drill and 1/2-inch bit. Insert a measuring tape into the hole and note the thickness of the fiberglass skin. Set a jigsaw's gauge so that the depth of the saw's cut is equal to the thickness of the fiberglass.

    • 3

      Draw lines across the sides of the top of the transom -- the cap -- from the front of the transom back to the joint where the cap joins the back of the transom. Draw a line along the joint where the cap joins the back of the transom. Cut along the lines to remove the cap.

    • 4

      Cut along the lines with the jigsaw. Insert a marlinspike into the hole you drilled and pry the fiberglass panel loose. Use the jigsaw, a hammer and a chisel to remove the framing and any flotation material inside the transom.

    • 5

      Lay the fiberglass skin on a sheet of plywood. Trace around the edge of the skin. Cut the "false transom" from the plywood. Apply a thick coat of automotive paste wax to one side of the plywood.

    • 6

      Position the false transom over the opening where you removed the fiberglass so that the waxed side faces into the transom. Drive self-tapping screws along the sides of the plywood, into the fiberglass, using a screwdriver.

    • 7

      Mix the transom filler according to the manufacturer's directions. Pour the filler into the transom and cure the filler according to the directions.

    • 8

      Remove the screws from the plywood. Remove the plywood.

    • 9

      Sand the transom filler flat, using a palm sander and 80-grit sandpaper. Replace the fiberglass inner face of the transom. Replace the transom cap.