I heard about a flattop that has been sitting in a garage for years, and will be checking it out this week. I was told it needs to have the transom replaced. Anyone have a ballpark on what it would cost to have the transom replaced? What else should I be looking at? The boat is $500 and sitting on an aluminum trailer. Thanks Randy
It depends on how it is done. I think the flat tops were built before 1973, and probably have a core where the grain runs length wise to the hull. This type of core is prone to getting water in it. If the core is soaked and you are hiring the work done, it will cost more than the boat is worth. The people that do this or have it done are usually Dyne fans and cannot be happy with any other boat. If the boat only needs a transom it will still be in the thousands to hire it done. It would be much less for a do it your self guy. The cost is mostly labor. If you tap on a piece of dry plywood it will produce sort of sharp sound. If you tap on a piece of soaked plywood it will produce sort of a dead sound. The Dyne hull is the same. If you tap on it and it is dry, it will produce a sort of sharp sound. If it is soaked, it will produce a dead sound. I use the butt end of a wood hammer handle. We have members here that have restored Dynes by taking them all apart and completely rebuilding them. They cost if you hire it done is as much as a new boat. We have members here that have done everything them selves for much less. The trailer is probably worth $500. Is it in Florida? jim
Thank you for the reply Jim. The boat is currently in NE Indiana, but what I am think of using it for is fishing in FL, more exactly in Pine Island Sound where the waters are shallow. Not sure if I have the skill set to replace the transom myself? I have had fiberglass work done at a small shop in a small NE IN town (about 15 miles from where the boat was built) that is reasonable, and will probably contact them after checking out the Dyne. The owners told my Brother (they race sailboats together) that the transom is "soft" and "should" be replaced. Since it has been in a dry garage for years, I am hopeful it is worth saving without to much cost, the Wife is skeptical, but I was looking at spending $18k on a FL boat (I have an IN boat already), so I am thinking if I can get this back on the water for $10k I would be money ahead and have a unique boat.
Tom Miller probably built that boat. He is near you and I think he is still in business although I have not spoken to him lately. Check him out. http://www.hydrodyners.com/forum/index.php?threads/tom-miller-introduction.76/ I think your budget will work. You could buy the boat, take it to Tom or your guy and get an estimate. If it is not feasible I think the trailer will bring $500. jim
Wow, I did not know the connection but that is the fiberglass shop I was referring to, good to know the expertise is still around! They replaced a floor in a Wellcraft of mine years ago, and they did a great job and a fair price! I will have to check with the owner of the boat to see if he would let me take it down there and have Tom check it out for me. Thanks again Jim!
I was hoping that was the case. Keep us unformed. It is always good to see another Dyne get redone. Pine Island Sound is a great place. Doc Ford hung out there. jim
Randy - I am in the process of restoring a Dyne and part of that was transom replacement. You can view full details including cost on my thread "1972 Keel Up Restoration" in the Restoration section.
Randy, If you don't find a shop in Indiana and the boat is going to Charlotte Harbor, there is a real good shop in Punta Gorda. AFR (All Fiberglass Repairs) has been around quite a while and Scott specializes in cored speedboats. Ph. 941-575-8914. I grew up fishing in Charlotte Harbor and Boca Grande Pass with my dad so I am jealous, good luck with the boat!
Finally got a chance to look at the Dyne. Overall it is in better shape than I thought. The transom does need replaced, and (this scares me) where the hull was resting on the trailer bunk, the hull has an indent.The current owner jacked up the boat so it is resting more on the centerline of the hull instead of the hull itself, but there is definitely an indent where the boat use to rest on the trailer bunk. Looking inside the hull, under the deck, it looks pretty solid, there is some loose orange colored foam chunks in there? It also has an original bimini top frame. The trailer looks brand new and his heavy duty aluminum. I am thinking my next step is to contact Tom Miller to see what it would cost to replace the transom and then decide if it is worth gambling $500 that the rest of the hull is solid enough and structurally sound.
Randy, When you talk to Tom, tell him the hull number and where the plate is located. Tell him about the hull indent also. I don't like the sound of that. jim
