StarCraft guys! Transom questions?

[DANZIG]

I have a kissing cousin to your SC Cuddies, a Sylvan/Smokercraft 1982 Offshore(?) outboard.

It's just about transom time! I have gotten as far as to cut to width a couple 3/4 MDO boards and now have several questions.


1. Required bolt holes,, Drill before laminating the boards together?
I am thinking that will make it easier to oversize and epoxy fill them before redrilling back to size.


2. Laminating the boards together,,, Will I need a filler of cloth or flour to get good adhesion?


3. Stiffening the transom,,, I have only one knee and can't go thicker with the wood on account of the transom "tray", perhaps aluminum angle (at an angle) from the top of Gunnel(?) transom attach point down to the transom "tray"?
Useless? Overkill? Good idea?


4. The splashwell "U", The original "cap" for this is long gone, Keeping the bend in mind, What would be a suitable replacement?


5. The splashwell aluminum "box" to transom,,, I am thinking an aluminum sheet on the transom wood with butyl rubber tape to make the seal. Yes, no??


And, on a side note, Can laminating/coating epoxy be used as a substitute for "Gluvit" to seal seams and rivets?

Thank you kindly!

 

[DANZIG]

Re: StarCraft guys! Transom questions?

OK, I have the first 3 and number 5 covered.

Still looking for help with the other 2.

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: StarCraft guys! Transom questions?

You can place a layer of CSM between the boards or just use PL or epoxy and clamp for a day or two. Seal the wood with epoxy ........ when you drill any holes use 3m 5200 to coat the holes inside the wood.

Don't worry about over kill just match the old thickness of the wood.

Remove that cap carefully and re-use it.

 

[DANZIG]

Re: StarCraft guys! Transom questions?

Thanks for the reply!

"when you drill any holes use 3m 5200 to coat the holes inside the wood"

I think I am going to go with the "drill a bit oversize, fill with thicken epoxy, redrill to size" routine. I just have more confidence with it standing the test of time.

"Remove that cap carefully and re-use it."

The original cap is long gone.

What might laughing be called a cap was flat vinyl of some sort attached and sealed with gobs some sort of caulking.
Bath and shower caulking would be my guess, it fit right in with the 1/4 inch unsupported deck, the RTV filled "thru hull" holes, and the other silliness the PO had done to "repair" the boat.

I am going to have to come up with a replacement for the "U" bent cap.


Do you have an opinion on substituting standard epoxy for gluvit?

 

[Huron Angler]

Re: StarCraft guys! Transom questions?

Do you have an opinion on substituting standard epoxy for gluvit?

My understanding is that gluvit has more "creeping" and "flexing" qualities that make it better than normal epoxy when sealing aluminum hull seams/rivets.

I'm getting ready to order some gluvit for my Starcraft and I'm convinced it is the way to go from testimonials from folks like Bob_VT

Do you have any photos of the rig? We love pictures of all the Starcraft "cousins"

If it's the boat in your signature, it looks like a sweet little tin cuddy