Crazy or stupid? Uncapping a boat in quarantine to get to the transom.

[GSX455]

So, my buddies are trapped indoors while their wives forbid them leaving, really paranoid about COVID19
The one guy who's willing to venture out to help, just tore his Achilles tendon; out for 4 weeks.
I have teenage daughters who have <0 interest in the boat, or helping lift off a cap. I fashioned a gantry our of 1" steel tubing. .I used this to lift with come-alongs. The transom was covered in resin, but underneath is coming out in chunks and soggy flakes.

How do I dig this out? They don't make long enough putty spatulas. Would a garden hoe work? Or do I cut the inner skin and pry the whole mess out?

I'm rebuilding the transom with one 3/4" plywood sheet and making up the thickness difference with Sea Cast on either side.

I know someone has run into transom that comes out in flakes and I'm curious how they got it out.

Thanks for the advice.

 

[alldodge]

Cut the inner skin away leave outer skin intact. It will need to be replaced when transom is rebuilt

 

[GSX455]

alldodge,
When transom wood looks like this, it really needed to come out. How to get the wood from around the plug? Because the transom was glued to the hull. Does the drain plug unscrew and should this be replaced?

 

[alldodge]

The plug will need to be replaced. Its a thin brass tube which are different lengths. Then a flairing tool is used to flare in place once transom rebuild is done.

https://www.amazon.com/520290-1-Drain-Tube-Flaring-Tool/dp/B0082ANA0C

https://www.amazon.com/SeaSense-Dra...NBM8ZJDWTT8&psc=1&refRID=C7GPSZHR7NBM8ZJDWTT8

 

[GSX455]

Has anyone used Seacast with plywood? Or is it all or nothing? I have enough plywood to make the 1.5" transom thickness but there is a gap where the side panel/skin meets the transom and is filled with folded CSM still in good shape. I cut out the inner skin to get the transom out; I could not pull out the old transom in one piece as it came out as wet flakes. Right now there is no inner skin needed for Seacast. Could you use plywood coated with polyester/1708 on the inside to make your dam, and then put Seacast in the remaining area? According to the website Seacast will not bond to wood but will bond with poly or vinyl ester.

 

[alldodge]

I would suggest call/email and let them discuss. Seem to remember tpenfield using some

https://www.transomrepair.net/

 

[tpenfield]

I have never used seacast . . . sorry.

 

[alldodge]

Woops there goes the memory a bit more

 

[GSX455]

All sealed plywood transom seems the general recommendation for transom rebuilds, I figure 2 experienced members haven't used Seacast then stick with ol reliable. :thumb:

My original transom was 1.25" thick measured between the fiberglass walls on the bottom of the transom. I have 3/4" plywood, make it 1.5" thick anyway, or keep the original transom thickness/design?

Thanks!