Spoke with Tom Miller this morning and without him looking at the boat, he guesses it would be $1500-$2000 to replace the transom. I told him about the indent in the hull, and he said the deck would need to be removed and we are talking serious $$$$ and he agreed I should walk away. Thank you to everyone that gave their input, guess I will look for a newer boat that I can just turn the key and go fishing.
I'm sorry it worked out that way I agree with your decision. When I saw the serial number, I realized that it is the version that is prone to water in the core. jim
Too bad to hear... My transom is okay, but I have stringer challenges and have seen some "bowing" of the hull when on the trailer.... Looking at popping off the top and placing new stringers as well as adding cross bracing (there were none in the boat) but I saw them in later models...