New guy, old boat, dead transom

[Austinboat]

Some help. I'm new on the site. Recently acquired an 88 WA 23, transom is definitely in need of replacement. Has anyone any experience with solid glass transom. Know what the advantages would be but what would be the disadvantages? (Too heavy, too inflexible?)Plan to bolt on a floatation bracket after transom repair and remotor with 250 yamaha hpdi. Have access to lots of kevlar, 6 oz felt and heavy cloth and was thinking of building solid transom but I never see that listed as an option. I know there must be a reason, someone enlighten me.

[ocuyler]

Austin,

Welcome to classicseacraft.com. I've never heard of anyone replacing a transom will all glass. First, I would be incredably expensive. Second, I think you need something to reinforce it with. Stick with traditional methods.

[Austinboat]

Thanx Otto. I have little or no experience with fiberglass but have been reading a lot. Am good with tools and can't wait to get started. This site is a wealth of knowledge. Lots of info and folks don't seem to try something new.
Have been fishing the Gulf out of Port O'conner and Port Aransas for the last 4 years, going as far as 45 miles out(you gotta go this far out to get deep water in Texas) in my 87 20'Mako CC. The 60 gallon tank has been my limitation and I wanted something bigger. Believe that the SC will be a big step up after I sink some $ and much work into it. Want to fish from it for the next 10 years or so.

I figured that I'd use MUCH epoxy fabricating a solid transom but figured with the kevlar it'd be a brute for strong. Got the kevlar CHEAP though. Anybody used any of it?

[FELLOW-SHIP]

Ha Tex
Trust me on this one you don’t want 1 ½ inch of fiberglass transom on the back of your boat. To heavy all in the wrong place. I sure would not want to drill out holes in that much glass either for drains, live wells scuppers, trim tabs, motor, and God knows what else. More glass does not make it better it makes it worse. Go with marine plywood or the newer composite materials on the market today the have worked for 50 + years and more than ample to hold one or two motors on the back. If I was going to re do mine again I would go with the composite materials. As for Kevlar I owned a Hydrasport when them make them out of Kevlar really good material and very strong and light that part should work out fine for you. Good luck and enjoy you project remember to buy enough beer you will need it.
FellowShip

[warthog5]

This is just a guess, but that 1 1/2in thick solid transom would weigh about 300 to 350lbs. Don't do it!

[Austinboat]

I figured the weight would be high but hadn't done the math as to how high.
Beer? There's beer involved?