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⛵️ From Simple Fix to Full Transom Rebuild - A DIY Project Boat
April 19, 2026 · 23 min · 10K views
What this video covers
A 1989 Liberty 458 named Antidote undergoes a full transom core removal as part of a driveway restoration.▶ 0:07 What began as a targeted transom repair expanded repeatedly: rot and delamination along the hull sides required cutting back fiberglass and plywood further than planned, a thin non-structural chopped-strand layer over foam proved inadequate for bonding new glass, and an accidental cut into what may be structural hull glass at the transom's narrowing required additional grinding and repair assessment.▶ 7:35 The headliner at the transom was also cut away to expose wiring runs, mold from long-term water intrusion, and deteriorated plywood bracing — all of which needed removal before recoring can proceed.▶ 17:43 Salvaged teak battens from the interior are being stored for reuse, but residual plywood adhesion on their backs requires a drum sander to clean flat; a thickness planer is considered too aggressive for the thin pieces.▶ 11:30 A laser line was used to mark a clean cut in the headliner so a batten can later conceal the joint.▶ 15:24 By the end of the session, all inaccessible rotted wood is out of the transom core, and the next step is drying, grinding, and installing new core material.▶ 22:07
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