Page 1
Page 1
Started By
Message

2005 champion bay 21’ fiberglass question

Posted on 9/12/23 at 1:31 pm
Posted by zachp12
Member since Mar 2023
21 posts
Posted on 9/12/23 at 1:31 pm
I’ll start out by saying I’ve been reading this forum for a while and just now starting to post on here. I’ve seen a lot of good advice given here over the years so hoping this post will do the same for me.

I just recently bought a 2005 champion 21’ bay boat. As far as I know, the boat is a full composite and therefore transom rot not much of a concern. For those that don’t know, the older champion bay boats (pre-2004) are very well known for having rotten transom issues due to the aluminum cap they used to seal the top cap of the hull to the transom.

Each end of the aluminum rail has a metal corner piece that I assume is to reinforce the corner of the transom from dock damage, etc.

When I bought the boat, one of the two metal corner pieces was missing, and “sealed” with a bunch of caulk from the previous owner. I’ve sense removes the other metal corner piece as it was hanging on by a thread and I was worried I was gonna lose it on the water one day.

My question is, it seems like having the corner of the transom open would be an obvious water entry point that could lead to issues down the road. The boat is nearing 20’ years old already, so I don’t need it to look pretty, I just don’t want to do any damage to the integrity of the hull if any water to get in through these corner pieces.

Is this something I should be concerned about? How should I got about trying to repair this?
- I could try get a metal corner piece custom made and install it with screws and lots of sealant over each corner.
- I could use epoxy resin to attempt to cover and seal up the entry way for water to get in.
- I could try to get it over to a fiberglass shop to try to get it sealed up with fiberglass and have the aluminum piece removed from each corner.

I don’t have the best pictures yet but can take additional ones this evening if needed. I think the pictures I have attached should be able to at least get the discussion going.

Any and all input is greatly appreciated. I know we’ve got some talented and experienced folks on here, so hoping to get some good insight from y’all.











Posted by mrcoon
Louisiana
Member since Jul 2019
682 posts
Posted on 9/12/23 at 2:03 pm to
My champ is a 98 and my father's is a 95. Transoms are still strong as ever. Bad engine and hardware mounting jobs have done more transoms in than the top caps. Wood transoms are not to be feared as they can be dried out if they get wet wet. The early non wood transoms were way worse for rotting out. That said the back of your boat looks particularly beat up. Take it to a glass shop. I recommend Toledo Fibreglass but that might be further than you want to drive.
Posted by reds on reds on reds
Member since Sep 2013
4904 posts
Posted on 9/12/23 at 2:09 pm to
That angle across the transom looks pretty interesting. Is that common? I'd bet it was installed to cover something up.

My dad's old 21 Bay champ and my buddy's 22' bay champ didn't have that.

I'd probably be taking that angle off and at least the last few feet of rub rail if it was my boat and see what's hiding under there.
Posted by zachp12
Member since Mar 2023
21 posts
Posted on 9/12/23 at 2:39 pm to
As far as I know the angle iron on the transom is common on the older 21’ bay champs. I’ve seen many boats for sale with the angle iron going across the back so don’t think it’s anything out of the ordinary.

I will say I’ve beat all over the transom with a hammer, screwdriver, etc and it’s solid as far as I can tell. I do agree the rubrail and corner of the transom on both ends have seem better days, but I’m wondering if that’s a purely cosmetic issue, or something that could snowball into a much bigger issue in a few years if not addressed soon.

Also I should’ve put it in the original post but I’m located in New Orleans. Any recommendations for a good and reasonable fiberglass shop in the area to do this type of work? Only one I have in mind currently is blue dot marine in chalmette. Any other ideas?
Posted by DownshiftAndFloorIt
Here
Member since Jan 2011
71396 posts
Posted on 9/12/23 at 2:45 pm to
Tracking. My boat needs a transom job.
Posted by KemoSabe65
70605
Member since Mar 2018
6591 posts
Posted on 9/12/23 at 3:04 pm to
Figure $2,500 min to fix that transom, angle was a cheap fix at the time of mfg. would bet that transom is wood from date of mfg.
Posted by DownshiftAndFloorIt
Here
Member since Jan 2011
71396 posts
Posted on 9/12/23 at 3:14 pm to
quote:

Figure $2,500 min to fix that transom


shite, I hope that's all mine costs.

Posted by KemoSabe65
70605
Member since Mar 2018
6591 posts
Posted on 9/12/23 at 3:22 pm to
Done right you need to add atleast $1,000 for the Kenner. I paid $2,500 in 2018 for my transom upgrade and juice has increased 100% since then.
first pageprev pagePage 1 of 1Next pagelast page
refresh

Back to top
logoFollow TigerDroppings for LSU Football News
Follow us on X, Facebook and Instagram to get the latest updates on LSU Football and Recruiting.

FacebookXInstagram