Fiberglassing a new transom questions.

[a brickhead]

I'm putting a new transom on a 12ft Fiberglass V hull I plan on turning into a fishing boat for the local creeks, lakes and reserviors here in MD. Am I sacrificing anything in thinking I can do this with 3/4" Pressure Treated Plywood? I also am wodering what size fiberglass mat I should use?? I plan on powering it with a 7.5 Mercury, for what its worth.
I'd like to post pics, once I take the time to figure out how... but for now, I'm just putting together my shopping list for the project. Thanks in advance for any advice.d

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: Fiberglassing a new transom questions.

Photo would help.

Remember that where the outboard attaches the transom needs to be thicker.

Are you rebuilding the entire transom? Are you rplacing a rotted or damaged piece?

Epoxy is better than fiberglass but fiberglass works fine.

We will do what we can to assist.

 

[Bondo]

Re: Fiberglassing a new transom questions.

I'd like to post pics, once I take the time to figure out how

There's a Pinned Link down in the Tech, Non-Boating forum that Explains the Picture Posting process here at iboats.......

 

[reelfishin]

Re: Fiberglassing a new transom questions.

My experience with pressure treated plywood is that it's super heavy and tends to be very flexible due to the moisture content of the treatment chemicals. It's good for ground or water contact areas but I don't think I'd use it for a transom. If your not using marine grade plywood, then I would consider using a good outdoor quality 3/4" plywood. I did an old bass boat with regular 3/4" outdoor sheathing about 10 years ago and it's still solid today. I cut two identical pieces to fit, bonded them together with resin, and then thoroughly coated all edges and holes, and remounted the wood. I then glassed over the whole wood area of the transom to seal it up. It's been holding up to a Merc 70 for years, I sold the boat to a buddy about 7 years ago, and it sits outside, the floors are getting soft, but the transom is solid and most likely permanent. It goes to show that if you seal it good, it won't rot. So far the plywood transom has outlasted the original one by more than double.

 

[a brickhead]

Re: Fiberglassing a new transom questions.

Thanks for the feedback.I most definitly found it helpful. So to sum up, 2 pieces of 3/4" REGULAR plywood (giving me a 1 1/2" thick transom) Epoxied into place, making sure edges are sealed as well as any holes for mounting the motor and drain plug. Will fiberglass cloth be the final sealing layer?? If so what size roving will be adiquate?? Will this be a "finishing" layer for asthetics or will it be providing some structural element??