old rotted transom is out going shopping want to make sure I buy the right stuff

[sasanm]

Guys,
Got the old rotten transom out of my 63 holiday. Thanks for all the help so far! I don't think I would not have even started this project without finding this site. I will post pics after this weekend. Anyways I could not get the old transom out in one peice but I did get it out in 3 so I can still use it for a template. I am planning on using 2 3/4 exterior plys and gluing them together with TD's recommendation of the PL product. The question is regarding sealing the wood. I do not have much room to add glass and not really sure how to do it anyways. Should I seal it with a epoxy resin or can I just use a waterproofer and paint it with a oil based paint? If I need to use exopy what is a good brand and where it get it? I checked HD and they did not carry any. Or what type of waterproof sealer should I use. thanks,
James

 

[oops!]

Re: old rotted transom is out going shopping want to make sure I buy the right stuff

ok...try this again.... last time, the site went down just as i hit send....

from what ive read on waterseal.....its ...uh...well....uh....not too good..

**(not too good...is the best way i could describe it without adding three lines of swear words that would get me banned for life... )**

but....why not polyester resin?....

i know some guys dont use it because they think its weak...but your just sealing a transom to stop water permeation....

your not building a 30 foot 100 mph offshore scarab....

youve still gotta use fiberglass to tab in the new transom...so why not poly?
quick...cheap....and if you do it right...it will out last your trailer !

cheers
oops

 

[TriadSteeler]

Re: old rotted transom is out going shopping want to make sure I buy the right stuff

It is an absolute must that you Glass the transom to the hull sides and the bottom of the hull. This is where it derives its strength. If you just put it in place and waterproof it, the only thing keeping your torquing outboard from ripping the transom out is the corner of the outer hull. As soon as you hit the gas, outboard, transom, et al would be plummeting to the bottom, with the boat and you soon following.

1. Make sure grind the inner side of the outer skin and fill any large gouges or gaps.

BEFORE:

AFTER:

2. Cut Fiberglass Mat to match the inner side of the outer skin. Make sure you leave excess for around the sides and bottom about 4 inches.

3. Make sure you have a bunch of clamps ready before you mix resin. I also drilled out the two drain plugs and the stern eye holes and had bolts with large washers ready to go.

Here is a picture of my clamp/bolt setup after step 5:

4. Put a layer of catalyzed resin (epoxy or poly your choice) on the inner side of the outer skin covering the bottom and hull sides as well. Immediately place the Mat on the wet resin and begin to put another layer of resin on top of the mat to wet it completely (it should be all dark when you are done. Roll it with a fiberglass roller to get it completely infused to the outer skin, side hull, hull and bottom of hull.

5. While it is still wet, Place your new transom wood in place and affix with as many clamps as you can (see my photo above). Make sure there are no gaps between your new wood and the bottom or sides

Let cure for 24 hrs with the clamps in place.

6. Now you have to glass in the inner side. You have to put several coats of Mat and Cloth or Woven Roving and affix the new transom to the bottom of the hull and the sides of the hull. I used woven roving to get as much strength as possible. The transom gets is strength via a strong bond to the sides of the hull and the bottom. You also need to encapsulate it completely to insure that no water gets in. This includes the top where the plies are. This is probably the 2nd most vulnerable area next to any thru-hulls.

You need to be careful here not to put too much material in the area of the splashwell where the width of the transom is critical. But around the edges, you have to layer it to make it strong.

 

[sasanm]

Re: old rotted transom is out going shopping want to make sure I buy the right stuff

Guys thanks for the quick response. I think I need to add more info. The boat is a 18' aluminum starcraft. The wood that I took out was at least 10 years old because the pervious owner did not do any work on the boat. The wood also looks like it was only painted and not glassed. I do no think there is room for glass. Also the wood did not go to the bottom of the hull. I have attached some pics. Let me know what you think. Thanks!
James

 

[oops!]

Re: old rotted transom is out going shopping want to make sure I buy the right stuff

really ..really good post triad

 

[oops!]

Re: old rotted transom is out going shopping want to make sure I buy the right stuff

sasanm,

i gotta run back out to the boat, as i got resin cookin......

forget what we just said..!!!! its an alum bote......forget water seal....

just hit search.....in particular...see tashasdaddys works.....

but search...transom .....rot.....replacing transom....aluminium transom...and so on...youll have 30 tutorials and 100 answers......

 

[Coors]

Re: old rotted transom is out going shopping want to make sure I buy the right stuff

The third time I used epoxy, I used MAS, after several conversations with them.
Cheaper than others, and perfect. Easy to apply, easy clean up, and strong.
Oops will come back in now.

 

[drewmitch44]

Re: old rotted transom is out going shopping want to make sure I buy the right stuff

Triad that was awesome!!! I am in the same place and doing my transom this weekend!! I have the wood bonded and its ready to go into the hull. My ideas were pretty close to what you describe. I just got the additional roving and matt to do what i need to for the outter and inner skin. What you did that i didnt think of though is useing the drain holes and the holes where the EYE bolts are for like extra clamps. Thats a good idea. Thanks a lot for the posts! Ill make sure you get some pics of the progress i make this weekend. I am mooving my build outside now since its warming up. Thanks again for that post! If you have any other pics of any other projects like the inner skin of the transom i would like to see!