Transom Replacement on 20ft Bertram CC

[Capt. Valk]

Ok I'm gonna do it... I've replaced a transom once on a smaller boat and am very well versed with glass but this is my baby I have 2 questions for anyone who may have the knowledge.

I'm replacing the floor also. Already restored the exterior.

1) Which method do you think will be best.

Cut off the transon skin from the outside and relaminate. Replace skin.

Being that I have the floor ripped out, do it from the inside in which case I would have to re-attache to stringers and remove a good portion of the top (cap) of the boat also. May also have to do the wood in parts (as opposed to single solid pieces of wood) in this case.

Try to remove it thru a cut hole in the top and use that poorable goop.

2) The transom has a curve to it. Would replacing the wood with thinner pieces of foam with glass in between be an option? (keeping the transom the same thickness) What kind of foam?

Heres some pics of what the interior layout is like:

http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v283/Valkyrie-Krazo/web shots/?action=view&current=forsale3.jpg

http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v283/Valkyrie-Krazo/web shots/?action=view&current=forsale2.jpg

How she looks before I hack the back off

http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v283/Valkyrie-Krazo/web shots/?action=view&current=3800557315.jpg

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Transom Replacement on 20ft Bertram CC

Never cut the outer skin, if at all possible. separate the cap and the hull and use seacast. http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?t=206019

 

[Capt. Valk]

Re: Transom Replacement on 20ft Bertram CC

My transom is seriously deep and I'm pretty sure theres some glass in between the laminates. Don't get me wrong, this is the method I would rather use. A chainsaw would only reach like halfway down the wood is still solid in most places. I just don't see getting all the way down to the bottom to remove the old wood without some C4. Going thru the outside gives me the willies anyhow. I guess having access thru the outdrive hole will help. Thnx for you reply. This boat is very rare and I don't wanna screw this up.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Transom Replacement on 20ft Bertram CC

http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?t=225270

 

[OhWellcraft]

Re: Transom Replacement on 20ft Bertram CC

I agree with T.D. don't cut the outside if you can fix it any other way. With the transom being curved that presents yet another challange if you cut. I would think it is a perfect candidate for seacast. Go to there site and send them some pics and ask them a bunch of questions they are very good with help and support. When the floor comes off make sure the stringers and engine mounts are all in good shape as well. If not need to fix them back to new since with an I/O they are more important than the transom as far as taking forces from the drivetrain. Keep sending pics as you work that is a cool boat and would be a great project to watch come back to life.

 

[Capt. Valk]

Re: Transom Replacement on 20ft Bertram CC

Thankyou soo much for feedback gents! I REALLY didn't wanna have to cut the outside skin off. Gonna contact those guys and start picking their brain And the exterior gunnel down is already restored, pic: as she is now I'll keep a photo diary for those to come after me as suggested and post on this site as the work progresses. Thnx again!

ps. All other structural wood seems solid.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Transom Replacement on 20ft Bertram CC

the bertram is a classic boat, there are many here, but, that's the smallest one i have ever seen.

 

[Capt. Valk]

Re: Transom Replacement on 20ft Bertram CC

I understand it was called a "Sportsman". I've only seen 3 or 4 others on the internet. I got stuck in 6 to 8 a few summers ago on the way back to our inlet and the little antique took a pounding. Tough little boat, I wouldn't give her up for the world.

 

[Willyclay]

Re: Transom Replacement on 20ft Bertram CC

If the Bertram was mine, I would seriously consider using sheet composite material to build-up a new transom. Expensive, but strong with very low water retention potential.

 

[coastalcruiser]

Re: Transom Replacement on 20ft Bertram CC

Hi, after reading about your transom and looking at the photo, i wanted to suggest a router, with half inch bit and strait edge to remove the wood in the rotten areas. then use C clamps and screws using the existing hardware holes, they work really well and if your doing the whole transom like I did, that helps hold the whole transom tight until your resin kicks. I built mine up with layers of 3\4 around the drive hole just like when it was new and to make it last gel coated inside with a brush.
Anyway that's what i did.

 

[Solittle]

Re: Transom Replacement on 20ft Bertram CC

What year is it? I worked at Berteam for a bit in 1964.

 

[Capt. Valk]

Re: Transom Replacement on 20ft Bertram CC

Title says 1969. If you have or could obtain ANY info at all on this model, I would be forever in your debt. All I know is they are so rare that a fully restored sistership sold for 75k according to a marine surveyer in Fla. I dunno who would spend that kinda fundage on a 20 ft boat of any kind, but I wish I had that kind of spare change lying around to spend on a boytoy

Willyclay : What kind of composite panel are you speaking of? Foam or like a laminated honeycomb type panel?

 

[Willyclay]

Re: Transom Replacement on 20ft Bertram CC

I was referring to sheets of high density polyurathane foam laminated with fiberglass. The source I had positive contact with was Coosa Composites in Pelham, AL. They have a structural quality product called Bluewater 26. Lots of info on their website and very helpful people over the telephone. I was referred to them by a local boat builder who uses their products. Other suppliers with similar products available also.

 

[Solittle]

Re: Transom Replacement on 20ft Bertram CC

I can't help you with the model as I was there in 1965 and the CC was not then in production. In 65 there was a production line for the 20', 25', 31' and a 36'. I was there when they built the mold for a 38'er but left before it came to life.

One thing I can tell you from my own observation - the quality of materials and labor that were under the deck or other places you can't see was every bit as good as the stuff topside.

As to the Coosa - I had the transom redone on my 23' CC Wellcraft about 6 or 7 years ago and woul highly recommend it. No wood - no rot!