Transom rebuild

[rongenator]

I'm about to rebuild the transom in my 1976 Landau aluminum Jon boat. What types of wood can I use?

 

[kfa4303]

Re: Transom rebuild

Hi rongenator. There are a couple basic rules when putting wood in an aluminum boat. Rule #1: NEVER put Pressure Treated wood in an aluminum boat as the metals used to preserve it (copper/arsenic) will have an electrolytic reaction and cause severe pitting in the aluminum. Instead you can use either marine grade plywood, very nice, but pricey, or you can use high quality exterior, non-pressure treated plywood, such as Aurauco from Lowe's/Home Depot. You will then need to waterproof it. There are 2 main methods. The first is to coat it with high quality polyester resin, then fiberglass. You must fiberglass, resin alone, will simply flake away in time. The other method, which most folks here seem to prefer is to coat the transom in Epoxy, no fiberglass needed, then paint it to give the epoxy UV protection. The epoxy is a little more expensive, but it's faster and you don't have to mess with any fiberglass.
As far as hardware/fasteners go. Be sure you only use aluminum replacement rivets, usually one size large than any that you remove and stainless steel hardware coated in 3M 5200 marine caulk everywhere else, especially for any through-hull fasteners. That's really about it. All the rest is up to you. Check out the Starcraft restoration thread and you'll find TONS of great threads with pics and tips. Good luck. Keep us posted. We love pics

 

[rongenator]

Thanks for the great info. I will take lots of pics. Will it hurt to replace all transom bolts and rivets with just stainless bolts?

 

[jasoutside]

Re: Transom rebuild

Welcome to iboats ron kfa has ya all set on transom rebuildin there ^^^^

Will it hurt to replace all transom bolts and rivets with just stainless bolts?

Nope, not at all. It is a good idea to coat them in 3M 5200 though.

Cheers

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: Transom rebuild

I rebuilt a wood transom on my 14' starcraft last year. I used exterior plywood and laminated 4 pieces together using epoxy (Only because I had that stuff on hand). After lamination and sealing all the edges I then used 5 coats of urethane to lend some UV protection.

Installed with SS bolts and rock solid.

 

[kfa4303]

Re: Transom rebuild

+1 on the 3M 5200. It' available at most home stores and comes in sort of a large toothpaste tube. It's great stuff, but it is a little runny and takes some time (several days) to fully cure. They do make a fast curing version, if you can find it, I believe. It cleans up well with a bit of acetone, nothing else will really get it off, which is sort of the point after all. Coat any and all Stainless Steel fasteners with the 5200 prior to installation, let it ooze out when you tighten them down, then wide up the excess with a bit of the acetone. That's really about it. If/when you want to seal the riveted seams of the boat you can use a product called Gluv-it. It's a simple paint on product that you apply to the freshly cleaned and prepped, interior seems of the boat. It will make the boat water tight for years to come. That's really about it. That's why so many folks love these old aluminum boats. You can get practically everything you need to build/fix them at the hardware store. Check online for bulk orders of hardware. You usually order rivets, screws, bolts in bags of 100 or more. That may sound like a lot, but you'll go through them faster than you think and it sucks buying them one by one at West Marine (don't ask me how I know :/ ). Good luck. Keep us posted. We love pics.

 

[rongenator]

I do have another question. Would I still epoxy marine grade plywood

 

[jasoutside]

Re: Transom rebuild

I do have another question. Would I still epoxy marine grade plywood

Yup, youbetcha. Marine grade will still rot out, the epoxy protects it.

 

[rongenator]

Re: Transom rebuild


This is the before pictures, I have a 5 inch transom extender on this boat. People have told me to only replace the wood in the top part. The bottom seams to be solid. What do you guys think? I was going to replace the rivets with bolts on the main transom at minimum or should I rebuild both upper and lower transoms? I realy appreciate all the feed back.

 

[kfa4303]

Re: Transom rebuild

hello again rogenator. you definitely want/need to replace the whole transom. Rot spreads like cancer, and the only way to stop it is to remove it entirely. It's a bit more work, but well worth it in the end. Be sure you remove all of the old wood, then remove any leftover debris and wipe down the transom with some acetone. Let it dry and you'll be ready to install the new transom. Be sure you adhere the layers of ply wood together using epoxy or a very strong glue like PL with some weight on top. After the layers are bonded dry fit the transom and drill any holes you need/want to mount the transom and accessories to the hull. Remove the transom and seal with either epoxy, or fiberglass and polyester resin. Be sure you get the ends and edges really well. After the transom has cured you can paint it as you like, then install it in the boat with the new stainless steel hardware coated in 3M 5200 and voila! you're done. It sounds like a lot, but it's not really that bad. The hardest part is getting the wood cut to just the right shape. It helps if you can get the old transom out in one piece to use as a template, but that doesn't always happen, in which case a cardboard template is handy. keep us posted.

 

[rongenator]

Re: Transom rebuild



Well I decided to take the leap of faith. Im glad I did I got the transom out in one piece. Now I need to do some cleanup and decide what type of plywood Im going to use. I found some sandable oak 3/4" plywood at home depot will that work? It looked nice and solid. Also whats a good brand of epoxy to use. Ive never done anything like this before sorry for all the questions.

 

[Woodonglass]

Re: Transom rebuild

Nope, That plywood is Interior Grade. You need exterior grade so the glue will be waterproof and the wood laminates resist rot much better. See if they have Auraco Plywood. Good stuff to use. Depending on where you are located you should find a distributor that carries a Medium Set epoxy. Gives you about 30 mins working time. A gallon should do you fine. www.uscomposites.com located in Florida is a quality supplier. Shipping can be a bit pricey so see if you can find a local supplier. Where R U Located?

 

[rongenator]

St. Louis area

 

[Woodonglass]

Re: Transom rebuild

You should check with local boat dealers or marinas and see if they have a local supplier for Epoxy products. Like I said Medium hardening time and about a gallon should do you fine. Some cheap plastic Measuring cups and some Plastic mixing bowls and stir sticks. Cheap "Chip" brushes from Harbor Freight. If you have a heat gun, you can use it to wave over the epoxy before it sets to help remove to air bubbles, just don't tarry in one spot to long and get it to hot. You will need to Paint it or use Varnish with UV protectant. Oil Base Rustoleum Industrial Enamel really works well and is cheap.

 

[rongenator]

Re: Transom rebuild

I found Arauco at Menards is this the correct stuff?

http://www.menards.com/main/buildin.../3-4-x-4-x-8-acx-plywood/p-1508796-c-5698.htm

Im going to call the boat shops in the morning for a place to get apoxy resin. Thanks again for all the help.

 

[Woodonglass]

Re: Transom rebuild

That's it!!!! Good luck on your Epoxy Search. I'm betting there's a supplier in St. Louis.

 

[rongenator]

The only kind I found was west system epoxy resin. Has anyone used this type before if so what type should I get?

 

[Woodonglass]

Re: Transom rebuild

I'd recommend this with the 205 hardener. This site also talks about coverage. West System is kinda pricey usually. How much are they asking for a gallon of resin and the Hardener??

http://www.westsystem.com/ss/105-epoxy-resin/

 

[rongenator]

Re: Transom rebuild

$100 for resin and $25 fo the hardner I think. So it is alot more even with shipping the other from US Composite.

 

[Woodonglass]

Re: Transom rebuild

That's what I thought. I would order from USC!!!!
The 635 - 3:1 - medium works best for me. I think it's around $90 for a gallon and that includes shipping