Transom Problem

[PaulKim]

I have a 69 Bellboy Runabout 18 ft. The more I work on the thing the more things I'm finding needs fixin. I was gluing in the Bilge pump and notice that the fiberglass where the stringer butts up against the "knee joint" was cracked and pealing away. I have a total of 5 stringers, 3 of them butt up to the knee joint which butts up against the transom. There is no glass on the inside of the transom. Outside glass looks good. The wood is solid. Will putting epoxy on it be structurally sound, or do I need to do something more extensive?<br /><br />Thanks<br /><br />Here are some pics<br /> http://pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/elpto90hp/album?.dir=/a581&.src=ph&.tok=phqxJZCBt8t2XXWZ

 

[rhedges]

Re: Transom Problem

When it comes to my boat I alway tend to over engineer certain parts. It seems that the transom may have done some flexing over the years causing the brace to break away. <br /><br />I would (for safety sake and for the sake of that good looking merc)sand down the braces and lay some fiberglass. I might even double up on the bracing.<br /><br />Transoms take a lot of abuse during holeshot, you don't want it to flex at all.<br /><br />I repaired a cracked (on the top) transom last year and I plan on adding bracing just like yours this year. Fiberglass isn't terribly hard to work with and I think you will be surprised at how solid of a repair you can make.

 

[rhedges]

Re: Transom Problem

 

[PaulKim]

Re: Transom Problem

Do you think using West Epoxy would be better than regular glass? Also can I use regular fiberglass mat that's been shredded up to fill in a gaps mixed with the expoxy?<br /><br />Thanks

 

[Bondo]

Re: Transom Problem

There's Absolutely No Debate, <br />Epoxy is Better than Polyester resin for Any kind of Gluing purposes.......<br /><br />And, Yes... Epoxy accepts milled glass,+ Most other fillers as good, or better than poly resin........<br /><br />That appears to be a Stoutly Built boat you have......<br />Use Epoxy,+ You Won't be Disappointed........

 

[PaulKim]

Re: Transom Problem

Thanks Bondo. I read on another posting that states that Epoxy will not stick to fiberglass, will sanding it and clean it up with Acetone, allow it to adhere?

 

[Bondo]

Re: Transom Problem

Epoxy will Stick to Almost AnyThing .......... The Exceptions are the "Slippery" Plastics.....<br /><br />It's Poly resin that is a "Casting" resin......<br />It's not a Gluing resin, all though it's been used as such for years.........<br />It Doesn't even like to Stick to itself, without proper Sanding.......<br /><br />Your Fiberglass boat was "Cast" in a mold using Polyester resins..... That's it's Intended Use.......<br />Repairs are a "Gluing" action.......<br />There's Nothing Better than Epoxy for this application......<br />

will sanding it and clean it up with Acetone, allow it to adhere?

Sanding,+ Cleaning Should be part of Every Gluing, Bonding, or Painting procedure..........<br />If your Glue, Resin, or Paint are still Drying, or Kicking, you can continue to recoat.........<br />Once it has Dried, or Hardened, it Should be Sanded before any more work continues.........

 

[G DANE]

Re: Transom Problem

The buttom of one of the braces looks al little wet, put a heater fan in it for a day or two before you start laying up mat and epoxy. You are luckey, those ond transoms selden look like that.

 

[PaulKim]

Re: Transom Problem

I was very surprised to find the wood in such good condition as well. I'm assuming that the previous owner replaced the transom. The Knee joint has definitely come away from transom, floor (hull) and stringer. Plan on making some peanut butter epoxy and filling in between the transom and knee joint. The amount of play between the floor and stringer is about 1/16 of an inch. I'm thinkg about getting a syringe and injecting it with epoxy. Then taking a 3/4 of plywood and epoxy it to the knee joint, floor for additional support. Is this overkill? Blew up one motor last October, definitly do not want to lose this one in the abyss. Any other ideas on how to make the transom more secure? Possibly screw in some SS screws in the knee joint to transom?<br /><br />Thanks for you help. <br /><br /> http://www.shareaproject.com/fullImages/218.jpg