[abl1111]

I just finished installing a transom for an IO. Hopefully you have, or can borrow a lot of the tools needed. You will definitely need the following tools:

o 4 - 4/1/2" grinder ( I like Makita ) new $70 @ Home Depot ( I don't know how I lived w/out one )
o Porter Cable D/A sander ( I bought mine used for $65 - it works great! - best new tool I own!)
o A circular saw and a sawzall - all EZ to borrow
o Sand paper and grinding pads - get at an auto body supply store - the cheapest place I've found - use 3M stuff if possible. The D/A will use adhesive paper.
o Crowbar, real long screw drivers, 'Wonderbar'

I used (2) pcs of 3/4" AC plywood laminated together - Cheap and good ! The pros swear by plywood ! All the glass and resin etc I bought at a fiberglass supply store. I have not used any epoxy, nor do I feel I should have. If poly is done right, it will last. There's a lot of strong opinion around this - that's mine. As long as thru hulls and the like are 100% water proof, there will be no problem ( thru hulls are an area that I would either epoxy fill, or install w/ epxoy as a bedding ). Once you re-do a transom, you appreciate the idea of keeping water OUT forever !!!!!!

I'm on a budget for my project and I have not skimped any corners - it's all being done right -actually better than any similar professional job I've seen ( because I go through the extra effort ). I have never done anything like this although I have a decent working knowledge of fiberglass ( I've read a lot ) and have repaired odds and ends over time.

It's totally do-able. It's SHIT work, there's no doubt. But, you will save a lot of $$$ doing it yourself and if you get satisfaction out of doing your own work, you'll get that too. It's like anything that's difficult - It sucks, you 'just do it', then it's done. After a few weeks, you'll forget how much planning and work you did and you'll have a new transom.

Good luck !

Alan