transom is ready...now what?

[Josh9685]

hi all,<br />I have just completed making the new transom for by boat. <br />I have some epoxy from Clark Craft coming in the mail, along with a thickener(starts with a c), and some finely chopped fiberglass. I was told to mix it all together until it is like peanut butter, spread it across the transom, and stick it in. <br />but...<br />I am replacing the transom from the inside, so I have removed the top of the hull with a sawzall from above the transom. I have to squeeze the new wood between the outer hull and into the groove that is in the inside of the boat where the stringers meet the transom and also a portion where the battery trays are raised up and will be flush with the transom when finished. its hard to picture that isn't it?<br /><br />well, its a very very tight fit for the wood, on the test fit I had to beat the new wood in with a hammer. I am afraid that when I put the peanut butter on and beat it in place that it will all just be scraped off. so what do I do?<br /><br />also, do I need to glass the inside of the transom at all? it is not a sandwiched transom except where the battery trays and stringers attach. <br />thanks for all the help I have recieved, I would't have gotten this far if it wasn't for all of you.

 

[kfraser]

Re: transom is ready...now what?

Josh,<br /><br />You'll probably need to post some pic's in order to see what you working with...

 

[Bondo]

Re: transom is ready...now what?

From reading your post,.. I can see what you mean,.. I Think,.............<br /><br />If it were Me,...... I'd Either grind out a Bigger Hole to set the new transom Into,......<br />Or,... Thin the new wood where it's Too Tight.........<br /><br />You need reasonably Loose fitting replacement parts,.. To allow for some space for the Epoxy...............<br /><br />That's the Beauty of working on Fiberglass Boats for Me,....... You Don't have to be a Finish Carpenter,...... <br />El,.. I'm a Chainsaw Carpenter,+ you just Fill In the rest with Epoxy............<br /><br />And,.... Ayuh,.. I'd atleast Coat the insides,.. Just to keep Water away from your New Wood............

 

[Mark42]

Re: transom is ready...now what?

I agree with Bondo. Trim or shave the new transom wood until it fits easy. Then put a coat of epoxy on the hull and the wood where ever they will touch. Then install and don't forget to clamp it all. An easy way to clamp if you have a complex set up is to screw on a piece of plywood from the outside and tighten up. It will squeeze the fiberglass hull and new transom wood together. Fill holes with epoxy after. Or rig some big clamps from 2x4's and rope. Search this forum for "clamps" and you should find a thread with pictures of a member who did it.<br /><br />And don't forget that all mating surfaces must be clean, clean, clean for the epoxy to hold well.

 

[2manyboats]

Re: transom is ready...now what?

Amen to the clean, clean, clean. <br /><br />You may also want to consider coating all wood surfaces with epoxy and letting it set up before the final install with the peanut butter. Adds a step, but you're sure it's covered.<br /><br />And of course, any penetration into the transom should always be treated with epoxy, never just sealant.