transom rebuilding

[Spoons896]

I have an 83 Bass tracker that I am repairing the transom on and I just ordered the marine Plywood but am looking for what to seal it with. I am finding conflicting answers some same just use deck seal and others say to epoxy it. I am leaning towards epoxy since I never want to have to do this again because of the amount of work that is needed to get to the transom board. Is the sealer just to protect the wood from the weather or is there something else that is does like strengthen the wood? I am looking at West marine 105 right now, is this stuff any good or is there a better product to use?

Bonus question: about how much do I need? The welder is going to take out the old transom board so I am not sure on the exact measurements but it looks to roughly be 36x18in. Do I need to get a full gallon?

Thanks in advance!

 

[Emerger]

I have an 83 Bass tracker that I am repairing the transom on and I just ordered the marine Plywood but am looking for what to seal it with. I am finding conflicting answers some same just use deck seal and others say to epoxy it. I am leaning towards epoxy since I never want to have to do this again because of the amount of work that is needed to get to the transom board. Is the sealer just to protect the wood from the weather or is there something else that is does like strengthen the wood? I am looking at West marine 105 right now, is this stuff any good or is there a better product to use?

Bonus question: about how much do I need? The welder is going to take out the old transom board so I am not sure on the exact measurements but it looks to roughly be 36x18in. Do I need to get a full gallon?

Thanks in advance!

In order to seal the plywood up you can use just about any type of resin. West Systems is an epoxy so it's a little more expensive than polyester resin but you won't need a lot of it. One quart should be plenty. I think everyone nowadays is just rolling it onto the plywood much the same as paint and allowing it to cure. I've always used polyester resin and thinned it with acetone so that it sinks into the wood like stain.

Whichever way you decide to go, pay close attention to the cut edges and make sure you coat them thoroughly and also coat the inside of any holes you drill through it. They tend to absorb a lot of water -which encourages rot- if left untreated.

 

[KJM]

You could always use a foam core like Coosa, that won't rot or absorb water. Then you know you won't be doing it again. Fiberglass that in place with poly resin and you won't have to ever worry about it again!

 

[Spoons896]

You could always use a foam core like Coosa, that won't rot or absorb water. Then you know you won't be doing it again. Fiberglass that in place with poly resin and you won't have to ever worry about it again!

How well does Coosa work on Aluminum boats? I have seen mixed feelings about it with no actual data to back it up. I already have ordered the plywood and am unable to return it so I will be using plywood for this boat but I have another boat I might be refurbing this winter that this might be good on.

Why would I need to fiberglass it in place if it is a composite material, it should be naturally water resistant. correct?

 

[Spoons896]

In order to seal the plywood up you can use just about any type of resin. West Systems is an epoxy so it's a little more expensive than polyester resin but you won't need a lot of it. One quart should be plenty. I think everyone nowadays is just rolling it onto the plywood much the same as paint and allowing it to cure. I've always used polyester resin and thinned it with acetone so that it sinks into the wood like stain.

Whichever way you decide to go, pay close attention to the cut edges and make sure you coat them thoroughly and also coat the inside of any holes you drill through it. They tend to absorb a lot of water -which encourages rot- if left untreated.

Cool I thought it was just used to seal the wood from moisture, I have been looking around and it looks like I can get fiberglass epoxy locally for much cheaper than the West marine stuff so if I am just using it to seal the wood then I can get more of that stuff and have a thicker barrier.

Yeah, I had an old boat that the transom was replaced on and it the person who did that replacement didnt seal the holes and it started to rot within a few years.

 

[KJM]

How well does Coosa work on Aluminum boats? I have seen mixed feelings about it with no actual data to back it up. I already have ordered the plywood and am unable to return it so I will be using plywood for this boat but I have another boat I might be refurbing this winter that this might be good on.

Why would I need to fiberglass it in place if it is a composite material, it should be naturally water resistant. correct?

I don't think coosa would be strong enough if used by itself. It is definitely water proof as I had a piece left over from an older project and purposely left it outdoors for about a year and it was just as good as the day I bought it. But I think you would need to fiberglass it on both sides for strength.

 

[Scott Danforth]

coosa requires fiberglass.

in your case, old-timers formula (google it here on iboats)

it will penetrate and seal

however if you did nothing, it will be another 38 years before someone replaces it again. you wont be owning the boat.