Remove Old Ply in Transom

[westvilla]

I am currently replacing my transom in a 1977 Mako 19'.<br /><br />Is there an easier way to remove it other than a mallet and a chissel? (besides a chainsaw)

 

[flashback]

Re: Remove Old Ply in Transom

welcome to Iboats, a 4 1/2 angle grinder works well for cutting out the inside skin, actually, a small chainsaw does work quite well, just hang onto it.... anyway, do a search and you will find a few days reading on how folks went about it....

 

[epresutti]

Re: Remove Old Ply in Transom

westvilla,<br /><br />Went through the same process. Wish I had a small electric chainsaw. After some trial and error I wound up using a spade bit, between 1/2 to 1" depending on the circumstance, this allowed me to drill holes about every inch or so, then just chiseled it out. Using the smaller bit kept me from binding and out of the glass.<br /><br />Then got 1" sanding drum for drill and cleaned up the groove.<br /><br />Peace.<br /><br />emp.

 

[epresutti]

Re: Remove Old Ply in Transom

Westvilla,<br /><br />Sorry for the double post. wanted to make it clear, I used the spade bit in the groove that was between the glass, parallel to the plane of the transom careful not to drill through the side. Clear?<br /><br />Ed.

 

[westvilla]

Re: Remove Old Ply in Transom

Hey Everyone. Finally figured it out. I used a grinder to remove the inner skin. Then I put a 1" chissel to start the seperation between the outer hull and the plywood. Then I used a crowbar to open the gap and stuck a 1"x4" in there and hammered that in until I hit about 4" down. I would do this every 6"-10" along until I had a peice of wood along the whole transom. I would then hammer one by one until I hit bottom. The transom then popped out in one peice. I do feel like I have been to the gym after that though. It is not easy.

 

[westvilla]

Re: Remove Old Ply in Transom

Just an addition. I was careful not to hammer the wood to far down as not to crack the outer hull.

 

[JasonJ]

Re: Remove Old Ply in Transom

I used a circular saw with blade set to depth, and sectioned the transom from the inside into sections, and popped each section out. I used the trusty 4 inch grinder to get the skin cut around the perimeter. The transom was out literally in minutes...

 

[dolluper]

Re: Remove Old Ply in Transom

I wasn't near as lucky with mine but some master fixer did a real nasty job on it before owned it.I used a grinder ,pry bars.chisels,spade bits,grinding wheels on a drill and 6 hours of work it's all out and ready for a final cleaning sand job.What a mess it was, but I'm sure the rest of the world probably has easier ones. The holes in the hull by a happy screwer has made the job just a bit more interesting.What people can cover up comes to mind BEWARE!!!!!!

 

[JasonJ]

Re: Remove Old Ply in Transom

That is so the truth Dolluper. I had nails (!) through the hull on my rig. I have a line of small repairs down each side of the hull where they had nailed 3/4 ply down, and the nails punched through the hull. I laughed, I cried....

 

[westvilla]

Re: Remove Old Ply in Transom

Another question. What would you use to hold the transom in place when you are fiberglassing the new one in.<br /><br />I have a lot of screw holes in the outhull I could use until it sets. But I don't want to use screws to hold it in as they would be room for future leeks. <br /><br />I am also building the transom up and will not have any splashwell holes(bilging it) to bolt it through as some suggested to me. I can use clamps but they only apply the pressure I need at the top. Anyone got an ingenious idea. I would love to hear it.<br /><br />Ryan

 

[pbailey]

Re: Remove Old Ply in Transom

You could make u-shaped clamps with enough reach out of doubled up 3/4 plywood and then drive wedges. Allow enough room for some type of stiff back (2x4 on edge) that you could run the length of the transom. The number of stiff backs is determined by the size of the transom, the more the better.<br /><br />If you are worried about stiff backs or wedges sticking to epoxy, just put wax paper between work and stiff backs.<br /><br />Good luck.<br /><br />pbailey

 

[dolluper]

Re: Remove Old Ply in Transom

Any holes you have use tow hooks ,bottom drain,motor bolt holes , put bolts through and washers and nutted ,use 3/8 so you can resize latter.Duct tape the holes you want to fix so resin stays in.Your going to use 2 or more pieces of ply? If so use some stainless screws to hold the lamination together also[shorter than size of course]Plus a bunch of clamps on top

 

[westvilla]

Re: Remove Old Ply in Transom

Thanks Everyone. I start work tommorow on the new transom. I will post pics of before and after.

 

[westvilla]

Re: Remove Old Ply in Transom

Ok. I got both peices of plywood in and fiberglass between the first peice and the outer hull has a problem sticking in certain parts. Mainly I believe their are bends in the hull. Is there a way to add reinforcement to have it stick. I was going to just fill it with resin. But I want everyone to give their 2 cents before I make a big mistake.<br /><br />Regards,<br /><br />Ryan

 

[dolluper]

Re: Remove Old Ply in Transom

Did you dry fit your ply first I hope before glassing,if not drill some more holes and bolt it up,you can fix the bolt holes latter,if the hull is bowing out you can rig a rope from the front towing eye to turnbuckle then to the transom bolts and turn turnbuckle till the bow straightens[be carefull not to over do it]

 

[txgunslinger]

Re: Remove Old Ply in Transom

instead of just putting duct tape over the holes, try using some one inch backer rod ( foam rod used for filling cracks in concrete) . When you are ready remove them then drill out the hole. This will prevent ovaling the hole when trying to drill and the bit or hole cutter hits hard resin.,