Plexiglass 1-7/8 thick for transom ?

[merc1]

Hi all .We have a 1977 glasstron T-156 that needs a new floor and transom . I was talking to my brother on the phone tonight and we were talking about the wood for the transom . He asked if a peace of Plexiglass 1-7/8" thick would work. I was not sure so i thought i would asked on here. My thinking is no rotting just glass it in good and glas it to the new stringers.My wife and I bought this boat knowing that we would half to restore it .That's half the fun. We like doing this kind of stuff. When we get done with it we can say we did it. Anyway you dont know til you asked. Thanks God Bless Ernie.

 

[Buttanic]

Re: Plexiglass 1-7/8 thick for transom ?

I think you could buy another boat for the price of the plexiglass

 

[merc1]

Re: Plexiglass 1-7/8 thick for transom ?

Well you are right about that- but it's was free . Sorry about the other posting's I dont know how i did that. Sure did not mean to .

 

[KRS]

Re: Plexiglass 1-7/8 thick for transom ?

I certainly would not.<br /><br />Transom needs to be double-thick plywood.<br /><br />Good luck!

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Plexiglass 1-7/8 thick for transom ?

my experience with plexi is it has no structural strength, when flexed it cracks. even a well built transom has some flex.

 

[SS MAYFLOAT]

Re: Plexiglass 1-7/8 thick for transom ?

That thickness of plexi is some strong stuff, but not sure if it would be a good material for a transom. Is that the stuff they use in the real big fish tanks? It seems like the weight of it would be more than plywood. It is not good to weight down that area of your boat for performance. <br /><br />What is the length, width, and type powerplant that your using? Sudden acceleration and hitting submerged objects put lots of stress on the transom. Wood/fiberglass will flex to absorb the shock and stress. Not sure if the plexi would behave the same way. If it is stronger than wood, it could have adverse effects on other componets of the boat that rely on the somewhat flexiability of the transom.<br /><br />It is cool to use freeby materials, but when it comes to saftey and lives of others is a different story.

 

[Mark42]

Re: Plexiglass 1-7/8 thick for transom ?

Neat idea, but I would go with tried and true methods of plywood and fiberglass. <br /><br />Save the plexy for and experimental boat!

 

[dmarkvid2]

Re: Plexiglass 1-7/8 thick for transom ?

If it was originaly wood, thats that I would use, why do all that work, time, sweat,money and effort just to put her in the water and have a disaster

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Plexiglass 1-7/8 thick for transom ?

just a thought is plexi compatable with the resins to install?

 

[JasonJ]

Re: Plexiglass 1-7/8 thick for transom ?

The plexi will not have the same strength and flexibility as the plywood layered to the same thickness. Also, I can imagine the plexi would be heavier. Nope, I wouldn't do it...

 

[merc1]

Re: Plexiglass 1-7/8 thick for transom ?

Hi all .I did not know thats why I asked . I think I will stick with the plywood we know that it works. I will be doing a lot of work on this boat and will need some help with some of it . We are new to this and if i get stuck I will ask a ? . Thanks God Bless Ernie.

 

[Paul Moir]

Re: Plexiglass 1-7/8 thick for transom ?

The poor fatigue resistance of acrylic is, I think, the most significant reason not to use it. With an outboard shaking away on the back of it, it wouldn't be long be long before cracks developed and then failure. Which is normally catastrophic in the case of plexi.<br />There's good reasons wood was used for so long. It's a nearly ideal material for boats: great stiffness to weight ratio, it bends a lot before it breaks, excellent fatigue properties, and it grows on trees.

 

[MurdockJr1]

Re: Plexiglass 1-7/8 thick for transom ?

Acrylic is extremely brittle and would not be good for the forces put on a transom.Now if you could find Polycarbonate (Lexan) that thick it would work but I don't think you could afford it.<br />Stick with wood just be carefull to seal it properly.<br />Good Luck