transom gap question

[chrishayes]

When redoing a transom do you want to leave a gap al the way around the new plywood? I was planning to bed in cabosil thickened epoxy but I dont know if this is neccasary on the sides as well. What thickness of a gap do you want on the bottom and if needed, on the sides?

I believe that I would want to glass the first layer into the transom with the supports holding it up off the bottom, then make my fillet, not the other way around, is this correct?

I am doing this work this weekend and want to be sure I am on the right track.

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: transom gap question

People make it as close as possible. The closer it is the less filling you have to do.

 

[jonesg]

Re: transom gap question

stringers need to be spaced off the glass but a transom can sit closer to the glass due to the rigidity of the 90 deg corners it contacts.

Bedding the bottom of the transom makes sense because you'll probably never get that perfect fit and it helps seal moisture out.

It helps to have 2 sets of hands, getting the putty in , the matting on the wood and glass, then everything bolted in place in the 12 minutes or so you'll have if using poly resin. Epoxy would be a luxury here.

 

[chrishayes]

Re: transom gap question

I am using epoxy, medium set, thin. I am going to play with a few ratios first to see if I can get it to cure well but give a little more working time.

So still I have the question of whether the sides of the transom needs to be bedded? I have about a 3/8" gap on the sides, would I just make a fillet here or do I need to pack the PB in to fill the void?

Also, at the bottom, there are several places that are about an inch off the hull. Is this too much? I can still keep widdling it down to get a tighter fit, but if it is all the same then I will just fill with PB.

thanks guys.

 

[ondarvr]

Re: transom gap question

I think they did answer your question, just stick it on and fill whatever gap there is with putty, it makes no difference.

 

[chrishayes]

Re: transom gap question

thank you sir, summation at its finest!

 

[jonesg]

Re: transom gap question

thats what I need, someone to tell me to just go and get my tank in the boat and quit playing computer.

 

[chrishayes]

Re: transom gap question

go and get your fuel tank and stop playing computer! Ill follow you!