Doa and RJ 

Doa, the boat is 17 ft long with a gunwale height of around 12" or knee height. Keep that in mind as you head offshore.

I just bought a 1992 Aquasport 175 Osprey Friday, 5/9/2025.  I hired a mobile marine mechanic to inspect the hull and motor.  He indicated that the transom would eventually need to be repaired or rebuilt, as it flexed some when he lifted up on the motor, which is a 130 HP Yamaha 2 stroke.  He gave a rough estimate of $1,000 for that repair.  But the fiberglass pro he recommended, originally quoted $5,300 to rebuild it, then reduced that to $4,500.  I was in shock, because that was about what I paid for the boat, motor and trailer all together. 

I am seeking any and all insight and advice about this situation. What does this job typically cost in central Florida in 2025?  What options might there be short of rebuilding, such as using Seacast or Arjay?  At that cost, would it make more sense to buy a different hull and trailer to put the motor on and write off the hull I just bought?  I am really hoping for a reasonable cost solution that allows me to use the boat I bought. 

Hello and thanks for allowing me in. I'm RJ from Lakeland ,FL. I am in the process of buying a 1989 Aquasport Ospray from a very good friend. The boat runs great and is solid. It does need a bit of tlc and a new fuel tank and lines . I hoping to learn a little bit as this is my first "project boat" and first fiberglass hull boat. I current have a Bass Tracker and an Airboat.
My plan for the Aquasport is to fully upgrade and add some mods. I want to set it up primarily for diving and spear fishing for my wife and myself.
The boat is currently in S.Florids and has been on the trailer in the back yard for the past 2 years.
I'm heading down there next week to pick it up. I will post pics soon.
Again thanks for the add and I'm sure I will be asking lots of questions

Nice addition and now you have a fleet  Your 230 never had bottom paint, that's a plus. I have a '92 230.
The stamp on the outside of the transom, starboard side has the HIN and also the model. The last 2 digits of the HIN is the year it was built. Does it say '91 ? Reason I ask is because the info sheet is marked '92.

Here is a link to what I did to ours: https://classicaquasport.com/smf/index.php?topic=1529.0

Inner transom skin layer 1
I took my foam mold plug and wrapped it in sheet plastic so the resin doesn’t stick and I can retrieve the foam. I do not want to use any wax or anything that would inhibit the bonding of the sea cast.





The challenge is getting the flat foam board to contour to the curved transom. I made horizontal slits along the transom side and split the foam so it’s like a roll top desk. Then I fished a wire through two of the bracket mounting holes and pulled the foam against the transom. Then I added two blocks in the corners and screwed them to the expendable glass covering the floor drain thru hull holes. I wrapped everything in plastic so the glass won’t stick. I then cut a curved piece of iso foam so it matches the top contour and pressed the foam against the transom as I drove long nails through the top piece and into the plug foam. I want to create a 90 degree outward lip for strength. Any time you put a 90 along a long flat edge you strengthen it. I will have about a 2” lip when I’m done.




Sometimes you have to be creative…. I needed something to hold the foam against the transom and didn’t feel like breaking out the tools to make something out of wood so lopping shears and a bungee cord will do just fine. You can also see the green wire that I used to hold the foam in place.





I set a piece of 2408 in there and trimmed where necessary to fit. I am not too concerned about it being perfect I just want a strong base to work off of. I will clean it all up nice and tight as I go. I am going to knee wall the stringers to the transom as well.





Well I’m 52% satisfied with how it came out. My big mistake was not spray gluing the plastic sheet to the foam as now it’s a little wavy as the plastic “curtined” and bellowed and didn’t stay flat. I almost pulled it all off and trashed it but the reality is all the waves will mean is more seacast to fill the slight voids. It’s not terrible but I would have loved it flat. The fiberglass kept wanting to slide down  with gravity so I kept fighting to keep the piece in place. It was a tough one. Definitely sweating to keep it in play. Maybe would have been wise to do it in two horizontal halves but too late now. It’s in. It’s okay and it will work but it not 100% to my specs. Live and learn. That’s why I’m not a pro.