1973 16 ft SS Transom thickness NEED HELP FAST

[txbandit44]

HELP dont have time to read all the build threads again. Hoping someone kows off hand.

I have pulled the old transom wood out. Its not original. The PO used a 1x12 and stacked it then cut it to fit. So I cant trust that it is the correct width. I measured and found that i needed 1 5/8 '' and built a new transom. I tried to test fit it and it will slide right in across the middle and fit right into the bottom bracket that the old transom was in. It does not however fit in the port and starboard corners. Its too thick. It apears by about 1/8''. I have not applied resin yet I wanted to make sure the shape was right.

SO the 2 questions

How thick is the transom supposed to be?

Should it slide right in or does the "NO FIT FORCE" method apply to installing a new transom?

Im conserned about forcing it in since the corners are rivited to the rear transom skin.


THANKS ALL

 

[1973Chieftain]

Re: 1973 16 ft SS Transom thickness NEED HELP FAST

Most of that era SC's seem to use 1.5" wood, my '65 Jet does, 2 pieces of 3/4 ply epoxies together works.

 

[jasoutside]

Re: 1973 16 ft SS Transom thickness NEED HELP FAST

1 3/4" and ya gotta get it in without breaking stuff, now go, go, go!!!!

 

[Pugetsound]

Re: 1973 16 ft SS Transom thickness NEED HELP FAST

Could a wood shop plane 1/16 off each side and make it useable Might be a dumb question but I do that now and then.

 

[txbandit44]

Re: 1973 16 ft SS Transom thickness NEED HELP FAST

I think Im going to attack it with the belt sander on the sides and plane it down myself. I just fits to good everywhere else. If that dont work I guess i will just have to build another

 

[ezmobee]

Re: 1973 16 ft SS Transom thickness NEED HELP FAST

1.5" and it should slide in (for the most part).

 

[PlayD0h]

Re: 1973 16 ft SS Transom thickness NEED HELP FAST

Not to hijack the thread, but do you use any caulking or sealant around the perimeter where wood meets metal? If so what's best? 4200? 5200?

Maybe check the 'slot' and see if its not bent out of shape. Make a block that fits snug at the bottom and most places, and slide it up. It sounds like it would bind up at the top. You could hammer the block to spread the 'slot' just enough.

Yet something doesn't sound right. Wouldn't you slide it in from the top? If it does, then I'd say your transom is uneven in thickness, being thicker at the top. Did you clamp it to hell when you glued it?

Also, what's the rush? lol. Yet I suppose you don't get hard-water in Texas.

 

[txbandit44]

Re: 1973 16 ft SS Transom thickness NEED HELP FAST

The hurry was that I finally had time to work on it and then ran into that problem. Then right after I hit that wall WORK called and i had to go keep someone elses unreally promises. I swear I measured and it was 1 5/8''. I ended up makeing it 1.5'' and shaving here and there till it would fit. Still snug but fits. Going to resin it up this weekend..


Whats the big deal about using poly resin vs expoy? Is it the life of the repair or something really important?

 

[Gibbles]

Re: 1973 16 ft SS Transom thickness NEED HELP FAST

What I understood was with resin you need to use cloth, but you don't need to with epoxy.

I went with epoxy with my jet, and I plan on doing the same with my nova...

lowcost boating store has the best price on the west marine epoxy, and I used the slow hardner, gave me lots of time to work it, and it cured overnight.
And I used west system 105 1qt epoxy with the 206 1pint hardner.
buy the pumps, they make life easy.

I had some left over after doing my transom, and I used a plastic spade meant for spackle/mud to spread it out nice and even.

 

[ezmobee]

Re: 1973 16 ft SS Transom thickness NEED HELP FAST

What I understood was with resin you need to use cloth, but you don't need to with epoxy.

Yep. Poly by itself will crack and flake off in short order.

 

[txbandit44]

Re: 1973 16 ft SS Transom thickness NEED HELP FAST

Thats pretty funny. I bought the west marine system 2 days ago. With the pump kit. Transom will get its final touches tomorrow.