I have a 43 foot 1978 Nautaline.  The transom is rotted from the bottom to better than half way up.  How hard is it to replace the wood and re-fiberglass?  What is the thickness of the transom plywood? What average cost could I expect to pay someone to do this job?  Does the wood have to be replaced or is there another method of repair?  Another problem I have.  The marina where I had the boat pulled for the winter used a trailer that had pads to stablalize the boat on the trailer.  The front pads measured about 2 foot square and were located in place about where the front steps/refrigerator is.  The rear pads ran from front to back and measured about 8 inches wide by 3 feet in length and rested under the engines about 24 inches from the rear of the boat.  The problem, the trailer pushed the starboard stringer up.  After reading all the posts about the stringers in this forum, I realize that stringer rot was a common problem, but I did not experience any problem prior to the taking out and launching of my boat this season.  After seeing the damage inside, I tore up the floor and the stringer seems to be intact in its length with none of the glass cracked or separated from the hull, but the front bulkhead is rotted and so is the rear bulkhead in front of the engines.  I can see the front starboard side of the bulkhead through the bilge pump access.  Several questions on this subject.  How difficult is it to repair this?  How do you get access to the front bulkhead? Should I hold the marina responsible for the damage either in total or in part?  Does the stringer go from the front bulkhead through to the transom or does it end in front of the engines and then a new stringer starts in front of the engines and goes to the transom?  The starboard engine is not out of aligment but the rear inside floor in the cabin is raised and the rear wall is crushed above the stringer. Would it be unsafe to contnue to use this boat in its current condition.  The engines are 351 Fords and run exceptionally well. I have owned this boat for 13 years and I really like it.  Sorry for all the questions but I would like to have as much advice as possible.

Basically the cost of repairs may exceed the value of the boat. There are many yards that won't pick up these old Nautilines because of bad stringers , transoms and bulkheads. If they are picked up at all it is usually done with a travel lift not a trailer.

IMHO the damage is due to deterioration of the boat and not the fault of the marina. If the bulkheads are gone there is no support for the stringers or the bottom of the boat forward.. If you check further you will find rot in the decks, walkways, roof and canopy. Sorry to be the bearer of bad news but thats the way it is.

I would suggest that you have a good surveyor look at the boat and give you an estimate of repair costs. LOOK AT THE ENTIRE BOAT not just the transom stringers and bulkheads.

Is this a shed kept boat or open mooring. Shed kept boats last 3 to 5 times as long as boats kept out in the open,

The stringers run from the transom under the engines to the bulkheads (which give support) foreward. The transom is about an 1 1/2 thick plywood glassed in. The decks are plywood covered with fiberglass. You can do the work yourself but the machinery has to come out etc. Big job.

15 years ago a transom and stringer job was $5000 but I couldnt begin to guess what it would cost today. Pirate can give you a better idea.

Usually when the floor begins to hump up you start to think of disposing of the boat. If it hasnt gone too far it can be jacked back down and new bulkheads fitted, or at least sistered to the solid portion of the old one to hold everything down in position.

I surely hope I'm wrong and I had a bad day, maybe its not as bad as it seems.

Best of luck.Keep us informed.
OLD HOUSEBOATER38596.8259143519

Is it IO or V-drive. I have been doing them transoms for betweween $3500 and $5000, stringers are a different story due to access. You are talking over $10,000 most yards and about $8500 at a reasonable price. I would not even think about using the boat, the bottom has been comprimised and has become dangerous. pirate38596.8262615741