need to know what materials to buy - transom and aluminum repair

[mikezohsix]

I have a thread running about a rotted transom and aluminum damage on my new to me boat

http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?t=362705

what should I use to seal the new wood transom?
epoxy or polyester resin?

glue sheets of plywood together with gorilla glue or epoxy?

thoughts on sealing the corroded aluminum up agian?

 

[ezmobee]

Re: need to know what materials to buy - transom and aluminum repair

Epoxy on both counts (the 2nd cuz you'd have it on hand anyway). I'm not knowledgable enough to comment on the corroded aluminum. JB Weld?

 

[archbuilder]

Re: need to know what materials to buy - transom and aluminum repair

I used a product called sea cast on my fiberglass boat. I think it will work on aluminum too. It is basically a plastic type filler that replaces the plywood. It is pretty pricey, but is incredibly strong and will never rot. If you aren't planning on keeping the the boat for more than a few years you might try replacing it with epoxy and fiberglass mat coated plywood. I would check with west systems, they could help you with selecting a product to glue the wood to the boat. My best guess is to glue the pieces of plywood together, then wrap all sides with mat and epoxy. After that you could glue it in place with what ever west systems recommends. You could also wrap the plywood with fiberglass resin and cloth, its cheaper. But I would check with west systems to see if the glue is compatible with it. Good luck!

 

[mikezohsix]

Re: need to know what materials to buy - transom and aluminum repair

epoxy seems to be the answer.
I'm going to laminate up the three 3/4 sheet transom with epoxy in between, rounded edges, and wrap the edges in CSM.

I found a site fiberglasssite.com that has resin and hardner kits for $85 per gallon, quite a pit cheaper than the west system 105 and 205 hardner (a little more than half price)

going to do the research and if it works out go that way....

 

[Bondo]

Re: need to know what materials to buy - transom and aluminum repair

Ayuh,... When I did my starcraft 10/ 12 years ago,...
I screwed the 3 sheets of plain ole construction grade 3/4" plywood together with Resorisinol Glue...
It's the same stuff they use to make the Exterior plywood,..

Glued,+ screwed the 1st 2, then pulled the screws,+ Glue,+ screwed the 3rd sheet on...then pull all the screws again of course...

Then I started painting it with Boiled Linseed oil,... Coat after coat, after coat...
When it finally stopped soaking in, I dropped it in...

After all these years,+ at about 1200hrs, 400hrs as a dock boat, All of 'em as a Leaky boat,....
The transom looks exactly like it did the day I dropped it in...

Personally, I think the resin/ glass coating, especially in a tinboat, is Overkill,+ actually easily defeated the 1st time you sink a Screw or something into it...

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: need to know what materials to buy - transom and aluminum repair

Save your wallet. West systems is way over priced. There are multiple dealers for no name and different name epoxy out there.

I have used gorilla glue and screws in the past (removed the screws)..... seriously if a transom is properly installed and a motor is bolted to the transom..... the bolts of the motor mount are plenty.

The key is regardless of what you use, make sure it is sealed on all edges.

 

[mikezohsix]

Re: need to know what materials to buy - transom and aluminum repair

The key is regardless of what you use, make sure it is sealed on all edges.

should I glass the edges with CSM or just paint them with resin?

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: need to know what materials to buy - transom and aluminum repair

Well if you use "just resin" it may not hold the grip.... CSM is cheap and easy to use..... wear gloves or your hands will be coated for a LONG time

 

[mikezohsix]

Re: need to know what materials to buy - transom and aluminum repair

Well if you use "just resin" it may not hold the grip.... CSM is cheap and easy to use.....

what does "hold the grip" mean?

 

[maineflyer123]

Re: need to know what materials to buy - transom and aluminum repair

I bought a quart of Bondo epoxy resin at Walmart for $12.95 and it was enough to glue 2 pieces of ply together plus seal both side and edges for a 16 foot boat transom,about 70 by 16 inches.drys in 2 hrs or less and sheds water like a duck.make sure to use marine sealer om your bolts and screws,Paul

 

[ezmobee]

Re: need to know what materials to buy - transom and aluminum repair

I thought all the Bondo brand stuff was polyester..... could be wrong though. If so, it's not going to work well for what you used it for. Poly isn't nearly the adhesive epoxy is. And it doesn't work as well as epoxy without glass addeed.

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: need to know what materials to buy - transom and aluminum repair

That quart of bondo resin is indeed polyester. To utilize it as a "glue" you will have to use some CSM (chopped strand mat), 1 layer will work between the sheets of plywood. Resin alone will not do it.

Using resin alone allows it to crack and water can infiltrate and then the resin can separate from the wood but, when CSM is introduced into the project you will get the full benefit of the strength.