soft spot in transom

[MercMark]

I have a 15' thundercraft wildcat. There is a soft spot in the transom around one of the engine bolt holes.<br /><br />I was going to hang a 100 watt bulb in next to the transom for about 8 hours then fill it full of "Get Rot". Would this be adequate?<br /><br />I was also considering filling the rot spot full of "Get Rot" then coupling some 1" hardwood across the inside and fibreglassing it in.<br /><br />I'm comfortable with boat body work. I refurbished a 10' hydro with East System (West System Rip Off but still two part) and replaced a bunch of the plywood in the sponsons.<br /><br />What approach would you recommend?

 

[Solittle]

Re: soft spot in transom

Have you tapped all over the inside of the transom with a haqmmer or mallet to determine the extent of the rot? It may cover a larger area than you think.<br /><br />What you do largely depends on how long you plan to keep the boat. Go to the search at the top of the page and enter "transom rot" and read away on what others have done.<br /><br />If you have a 15 hp hanging on the back (you didn't say), the rot isn't bad and you don't plan on keeping the boat that long then Get Rot may help (I'm not a big fan of Get Rot _ I don't think it gets absorbed into the wood much). On the other hand if you have a 100 hp sitting back there, run it rard in rough water and plan on keeping it for a while there is only one way to go - - Painful maybe but only one way.<br /><br />I doubt that the 100 watt bulb at 8 hours is going to do much at all.

 

[MercMark]

Re: soft spot in transom

I've got an 85hp merc that I'm rebuilding. I ran it on there before.<br /><br />What's the best way to ensure that it's dry in there before I patch?<br /><br />doing a search now.

 

[MercMark]

Re: soft spot in transom

Oh boy. I read a lot on transom repairs. It sounds like quite a job.<br /><br />If I try and detect rot by tapping with a hammer, what am I listening for. I know generally a solid sound over a hollow sound. <br /><br />What are opinions on drilling test holes where tapping reveals hollow sound?

 

[Norm Malcosky]

Re: soft spot in transom

MercMark,<br /><br />I would suggest drilling 1/8" diam on the inside of the transom to determine the extent of the rot. If the wood comes out dry OK, if wet keep moving out till you hit dry wood. <br /><br />I had similar problems and went with the www.rotdoctor.com system. Injected CPES (a very, very thin epoxy) followed a month later by about a gallon of epoxy (West system). Get the West System empty caulking tubes to inject the epoxy directly into the 1/8" holes until you fill all the rotted space with epoxy.<br /><br />Best of luck.