Transom Rebuild Question

[Lodge Creek Kent]

Hi everyone, this is my first post on this site but I have spent much time reading on the boat restoration section. I want to thank everyone for posting their knowledge and for sometimes doing so in an entertaining way.

I am in the middle of replacing the transom on my 1986 Aquasport 17' CC Osprey. I have the trasom removed from the inside and have cut the new core. I used a 3/4 sheet of Coosa and have it cut and bonded together. I am using epoxy and am ready to cover the inner skin of the coosa. I will tab it into the transom later. I am using epoxy and picked up some 1708. However, after spending hours on this site reading posts about 1708 and epoxy, I am debating going with something without the mat. If I do go with the 1708 and epoxy, would one layer be enough for the inner skin?

I plan on putting the inner skin on, tabbing it in and then bonding the old skin (liner) back over the top of that. I am just debating going with one or two layers of 1708.......or switching from 1708. Any thoughts/comments would be appreciated. I will add pics later.

 

[Lodge Creek Kent]

Re: Transom Rebuild Question

I think I answered my own question. Decided to scrap the 1708 and go with 1700. Not sure if I should use 1 or two layers though. The original innner skin I pulled out appears to be thin.

 

[GT1000000]

Re: Transom Rebuild Question

Howdy LCK,

Welcome to the Iboats dry dock.

The real pros will chime in soon enough, so give em a bit of time, but in the meantime...let me see if I can get you started in the right direction...

One of the guys who knows their stuff is "WOODONGLASS". He has posted really good drawings of a good way to do transoms, stringers and decks...

I am posting these for you, but I give all the credit to Woodonglass for providing them.

Hope this helps and Good Luck,
GT1M

 

[ondarvr]

Re: Transom Rebuild Question

The mat on 1708 will work fine with epoxy, the only issue is you will use a little more epoxy to wet it out. So if you have it you can use it.

 

[Woodonglass]

Re: Transom Rebuild Question

Like ondarvr days 1708 will take more epoxy due to the mat so the 1700 would be better in my opinion but use what ya got. Since the original was thin, I'd go with two layers. Tab the first one about 4" and the Last 8". She'll be good and strong then.

 

[Lodge Creek Kent]

Re: Transom Rebuild Question

Thanks for all the comments. I will go ahead and use 2 layers of the 1708. Plus thanks for the pics, they are very helpful.

 

[Lodge Creek Kent]

Re: Transom Rebuild Question

Update - I am pretty much ready to put the core in. I have the coosa cut and laminated the two 3/4 inch sheets together with epoxy and 403 filler. One thing I learned, is to use plent of drywall screws to hold the two sides together to avoid voids. Oh also, I should have drilled holes and inserted some screwdrivers like Will Borden's video says. The two sections did slide a little bit before I could get the drywall screws in.

I repaired a few gashes in the outer wall over the weekend and if the weather holds I will bond the core to the rear transom wall on Monday and then glass in the inner wall on Tuesday. It should be in the mid 50's and slightly above 40 at night and I am using the fast hardner (205). To bond the core to the outer transom skin I plan on using epoxy and 404 filler. For the fillets on the inner skin I will use 406 filler. When I lay the 1708 to the inner core, should I use any fillers in the epoxy? Since it is vertical I don't know if I will have troubles with it sagging or not? I considered laying the 1708 on the transom in the basement horizontally and then tabbing it in but decided against it.

On a side note, I saw one of these at Lowes yesterday and thought it might work good when tearing out a transom.