Small gap inbetween the plys of my new transom. Please advise!

[Darren Nemeth]

Well, I finally did fiberglassing on the boat today.

I covered the stringers with polyester resin and they are drying nicely.

However, there is a problem with the transom. It hasn't been put in the boat yet. Just just laminated the two peices together.

There is a small gap along the top edge. I tried to do as much as I could to close it but the lamination set.

Every other area oozed resin very nicely.

Do I have anything to worry about?

Here are some photos.

I drilled some holes for screws in the transom piece to the right [first photo] then wet it down with polyester and secured it to the already wetted piece with the glass on it.

Even though I started putting screws in from the center going outward I discovered that there was a gap in the part where I cut clearance for the splashwell.

It is only a couple of millimeters of space and My puddy knife goes in about 2 inches at the deepest point of the gap. Can I just fill this in with resin tomorrow and glass over it? Or am I screwed?

BTW, I mixed up a quart of resin and it hardened up while I was hurrying to close up the gap. I only have two gallons of resin here!

I am disappointed and have no more 3/4 ply in that size to cut a new transom. The lady friend with the minivan who helped me get the ply just broke up with me last night. I have no way of getting more of this ply.

 

[Darren Nemeth]

Re: Gaps between the plys of my new transom

Re: Gaps between the plys of my new transom

The gap seems to be only in this spot of the transom, outlined in red.

 

[i386]

Re: Small gap inbetween the plys of my new transom. Please advise!

You should be able to flow some resin in that gap and then just clamp that spot. Don't clamp so tight that you force all the resin back out.

 

[TheWoodCrafter]

Re: Small gap inbetween the plys of my new transom. Please advise!

I think that is why you should do this with peanut butter.

Work your way around it pouring resin in and letting it harden, mix more, turn do it again.

 

[wgt500]

Re: Small gap inbetween the plys of my new transom. Please advise!

When I cut the transom out of my '83 Thundercraft. I could see where the factory didn't get it fully laminated to the outside fiberglass skin. There was an area about 6in. by 4in. along with other small areas that didn't have any bond to the plywood. No problems for 25yrs. till it rotted out. you will be fine sealing it with resin. All the best, ****

 

[oops!]

Re: Small gap inbetween the plys of my new transom. Please advise!

there is really no worries darren.......but there is if you will allways think about it........mix up some peanut butter....and using the blade of the knife....shove it in there.......OR.......

fill with 5200 or construction adheasive........

or ........

pour some resin in there...and and glass the edge......(do that anyway)

 

[Darren Nemeth]

Re: Small gap inbetween the plys of my new transom. Please advise!

Thanks, everybody. I am not as worried now. I'll just pour some resin in there and vibrate the air out of the gaps with a power tool.

pour some resin in there...and and glass the edge......(do that anyway)

Definately. That edge will be at a 15 degree angle in the boat. I'll Cabosil it so there is no place for water to stand.

 

[Darren Nemeth]

Re: Small gap inbetween the plys of my new transom. Please advise!

When I cut the transom out of my '83 Thundercraft. I could see where the factory didn't get it fully laminated to the outside fiberglass skin. There was an area about 6in. by 4in. along with other small areas that didn't have any bond to the plywood. No problems for 25yrs. till it rotted out. you will be fine sealing it with resin. All the best, ****

I know what you mean. In this Glastron there are a few places with bubbles in the glass work.

The stringers weren't completely sealed at all on the ends.

Where do I find "wood flower"? In web searches all I get are arts and crafts sites.

 

[keepNitreel]

Re: Small gap inbetween the plys of my new transom. Please advise!

I know what you mean. In this Glastron there are a few places with bubbles in the glass work.

The stringers weren't completely sealed at all on the ends.

Where do I find "wood flower"? In web searches all I get are arts and crafts sites.

You want wood flower well here you go http://www.mertons.com/Additives/flour.html
Thanks for visiting my restro, looks like your's is moving along very nicely.

 

[oops!]

Re: Small gap inbetween the plys of my new transom. Please advise!

darren....wood flour is finely sifted sawdust with out glue in it.....its pure sawdust...........

for what you need.......look on the ground

 

[83ProLine]

Re: Small gap inbetween the plys of my new transom. Please advise!

Good lookin' transom work!

Regards,

James

 

[Darren Nemeth]

Re: Small gap inbetween the plys of my new transom. Please advise!

Good lookin' transom work!

Regards,

James

Thanks.

I cut the transom like that because the splashwell would not allow for two 3/4" plys so I traced around the splash well and cut the one ply so both would fit.

 

[Darren Nemeth]

Re: Small gap inbetween the plys of my new transom. Please advise!

Here's some pix.

 

[fishrdan]

Re: Small gap inbetween the plys of my new transom. Please advise!

It's the "BAT" transom (BTW, how's the finger doing?)

 

[Darren Nemeth]

Re: Small gap inbetween the plys of my new transom. Please advise!

It's the "BAT" transom (BTW, how's the finger doing?)

Finger is healing up okay. Here are pictures I took this afternoon.

 

[83ProLine]

Re: Small gap inbetween the plys of my new transom. Please advise!

Everyone that sees that picture probably has the same reaction. . .

First we scrunch our face up and say "holy crap"
Then when think about the last time we were fortunate enough to get away with doing something incredibly stupid, like mowing the lawn in a pair of flip-flops.

Here is to some good healing, my friend.

 

[SnappingTurtle]

Re: Small gap inbetween the plys of my new transom. Please advise!

Finger is healing up okay. Here are pictures I took this afternoon.

The transom work is coming along nice, but that is one nasty looking finger Darren!

Hurry up and post some more pictures so I don't have to look at it anymore. I cringe everytime I see it.

 

[Darren Nemeth]

Re: Small gap inbetween the plys of my new transom. Please advise!

The transom work is coming along nice, but that is one nasty looking finger Darren!

Hurry up and post some more pictures so I don't have to look at it anymore. I cringe everytime I see it.

Okay.

I just launched the Batboat to check for leaks. It was in the water for 30 minutes and not a drop leaked in.

 

[SnappingTurtle]

Re: Small gap inbetween the plys of my new transom. Please advise!

Okay.

I just launched the Batboat to check for leaks. It was in the water for 30 minutes and not a drop leaked in.

It looks really good so far.

Congratulations on the pre-maiden voyage boat float!

Just one question. Is that a phone book in the boat?

Was it there in case of a emergency boat leak? Where is the Bat Phone?

 

[Darren Nemeth]

Re: Small gap inbetween the plys of my new transom. Please advise!

It looks really good so far.

Congratulations on the pre-maiden voyage boat float!

Just one question. Is that a phone book in the boat?

Was it there in case of a emergency boat leak? Where is the Bat Phone?

LOL!

Nope. Not a phone book.

The corner store had free local Real Estate catalogs made of pulp paper and I grabbed one to spread out and pinpoint the source of any leaks. Thankfully, I didn't have to use it.

The Batphone is at home. I'm calling Cheif O'Hara to report bad Batman jokes at iboats.com!! lol