Help with transom!

[red342]

Hello:

I have a 1979 Galaxy Satellite that I am restoring. I began sizing up my work today while it was some what warm when I looked under the "angle iron" aluminum trim around the splash well and the transom. Along the back of the transome near the O/B I began to pull this off because it looks like it needs to be replaced. I noticed a 1/4 inch gap along what appears to be the splash well meeting the transom. This runs the entire width of the splash well. NOW... it looks clean cut, not rot or damaged, SO I am assuming that this is factory.

My question is... Is this where two fiberglass halfs are met during manufacturing? OR is this stress damage or any other damage? OR is this a defect or recall?

My second question is... IF I am correct and this is factory, do I leave it alone and recover with new trim, or do I fill with bondo, epoxy etc...?

You can see that where I placed the read line in the photo is where this gap is.

 

[Coho Ghost]

Re: Help with transom!

Red,

I would say before you go any farther you need to determine if the transom core is rotten. Crawl under your splash well and drill some test holes into the transom, down low, and NOT clear thru. 3/8" to 1/2" is big enough about half way thru. If the chips that come out of the hole(s) are nice and dry and light colored you are OK, if not ...well it's resto time. If things are OK mix up some thickened epoxy or 3M 5200 and fill the holes.

I would be very suspicious of a transom showing the condition yours is in. I hate to tell you this, but if the transom is rotten it's a good chance the stringers and deck are in the same condition. I restored the transom on my 15' Livingston Pacific skiff last winter using NIDA pourable ceramic transom compound. It was a fairly easy one to do and I was a complete rookie at boat repair. Don't despair it's only time and $$$$!

Coho Ghost,
Up in Washington state

 

[drewpster]

Re: Help with transom!

Yes it is factory, yes it is where the upper and lower halves meet. Yes it is simply covered with trim, rather than glassed together. Very common way of covering the gap in this area. If you remove the rubrail around your boat you will see that this seam runs all the way around the boat. It is where the upper (cap) and lower hull join. The area at the transom may be glued together but the seam under the rubrail wont be. Filling that gap is up to you, or you could replace the trim, your choice.

 

[jonesg]

Re: Help with transom!

Any gap between the splashwell and transom is a blown transom, its rotted unless proven otherwise.
It looks rotted from the outside.
Only way to find out for certain is drill baby drill, the drill chips will reveal all.

 

[1983rinker]

Re: Help with transom!

I replaced all my wood under the splashwell. It was 4" by 15"

 

[idonthaveaname]

Re: Help with transom!

A 1979 Galaxy Satellite? A 32 year old boat? My guess is most of the wood needs to be replaced...at least that the assumption I would go with. No worries...it's a fun hobby. ;-)

 

[red342]

Re: Help with transom!

Well thank you all!

We are begginging to see some warm weather here and I took a look out side. Im glad to hear that I was correct about the two halves and the boat was not cracked open! LOL. I began to check the transom. I did the "Knock around" trick with the hammer and it all seemed QUITE solid. I still have to get in and drill some inspection holes.

 

[red342]

Transom age?

Transom age?

Hello all!

First, I apologize if I should have posted this within my previous post.

Is there a rule of thumb to replacing a transom due to age alone? My 16' Galaxy Satellite is a 1979 and I think I might actually have a good condition transom. Is this unheard of with a boat this old. Perhaps it was replaced not too long ago. Has anyone else aquired a boat with a good transom with so many years hehind it?

Thanks!

 

[kfa4303]

Re: Transom age?

Re: Transom age?

no rule to replacing them by age alone. yours cold very well be in good shape. the only sure way to test is to drill several small holes into the transom at several different locations. you should get dry, luight colored wood on your drill bit. you can also rap it with your knucles to see if you hear any soft spots. if tyou do go the drill method, be sure to fill the holes is with 3M 5200 sealant. sounds like you got lucky.

 

[Silver Heels]

Re: Transom age?

Re: Transom age?

If it ain't broke, don't fix it!

 

[kilowatts]

Re: Transom age?

Re: Transom age?

Hi guys:

My boat was made in 1976 and has the original transom. Early last year I found the sub deck to be rotten and started tearing it out as I'd learned to on this website. I fully expected the transom and stringers to be rotten also. Imagine my surprise when after much testing and advice, I found the stringers to be bone dry, completely encapsulated in fibreglass and made of solid teak, and the transom dry and solid! Naturally, I sealed and cleaned everything up and installed a new sub-deck and left well enough alone. My advice would be to check very thoroughly for rot before making a decision. Good luck.

kilowatts

 

[jonesg]

Re: Help with transom!

Sounding takes an educated ear, mine sounded good but wasn't, it was rotted to pulp.
The drill chips will reveal the true condition, not to worry either way.
If its good then great, if its bad it will soon be good (better) again.

 

[andgott]

Re: Transom age?

Re: Transom age?

There are PLENTY of boats that were built in the 1950's that have perfectly solid transoms- It is a matter of how the boat was built, used, and cared for- Not age... i've got a '59 with a transom as solid as the day it was built.

 

[Woodonglass]

Re: Transom age?

Re: Transom age?

My 1961 Lonestar's transom looks like NEW wood. Age has NOTHING to do with it.

 

[red342]

Transom Tutorial?

Transom Tutorial?

Hi All!

Well I have been looking and reading about this transom replacement. I am confused by contradictions I am reading. Can I replace the transom from the OUTSIDE of the boat? I am reading posts about cutting out the fiberglass then replacing it. Or does it NEED to be done from the inside? If it needs to be done from the inside, how do I work around my splashwell?

Also... I have always been a "pop-up" book kind of reader! LOL. Can anyone post a link to a good thread or tutorial for replacing my transom that will have photos for me to follow?

Thank you.
Rob

 

[Woodonglass]

Re: Transom Tutorial?

Re: Transom Tutorial?

Welcome to iBoats!
If you want pics so do we!!!! DO NOT CUT the fiberglass skin of your transom. You remove it from the INSIDE!!!! If you have a large splasywell then it will probably be necessary to remove the topcap of your boat. There are PLENTY of threads with pics and descriptions of how to do this here on iBoats. Just do a search on the forum for Transom Replacement and you'll find ALL you need. But like a said, If you post some pics of your project it will make it much easier for all of us to help you. See my signature for how to post your pics.

 

[Bondo]

Re: Transom Tutorial?

Re: Transom Tutorial?

Also... I have always been a "pop-up" book kind of reader! LOL. Can anyone post a link to a good thread or tutorial for replacing my transom that will have photos for me to follow?

Ayuh,... Here, try This one,....
'n I agree,... Workin' from Inside is Waay beter than cuttin' the hull casting...

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: Transom Tutorial?

Re: Transom Tutorial?

Welcome to iboats.

I combined all your transom threads. It is easier to keep them all in one place.

IF you find a thread here on iboats that mentions cutting the outside of the transom, it was done BEFORE that person sought out advice. iboats Boat Restoration, Building, and Hull Repair section is the best source you will find. We have many professional people here and some who do this work for a living. I am really not sure where you found "cutting the outside hull" but it is NOT a recommended practice here.

Based on your photo a few things come to mind.
-You will have to either uncap the hull or do some reading on "pour-able transom" such as seacast or nidabond.

-You have snow under your boat!! You are not living in an area where you can work outside since NONE of the work using resins will work in colder weather. (Hint - you should fill out your profile to reflect your location )

Once again welcome. Keep going in this thread. Do you have any other photos of the problem?

 

[red342]

Re: Transom Tutorial?

Re: Transom Tutorial?

Hello:

Bob_vt YES there is snow and TOO much of it. I am on long island. Thankfully it is starting to melt. I am tring to get a good idea and size up on the work that I will need to do this spring to get my boat in the water. As soon as I can get inside the hull I will post photos of what we are dealing with. I plan on photo documenting the whole project anyway so there will be plenty of pics. Thanks everyone for all your help so far.

Rob

 

[bheff]

Re: Transom Tutorial?

Re: Transom Tutorial?

Woodenglass, I tried to PM you but your in box is full.