Transom, Stringers...........help!

[strtbobber]

I recently got this boat and I need to replace the transom. The one that's in there is made of plywood, is that normal?

What should I replace it with?

How do I go about getting the old one out?

In the attached pics, you can see the stringers....any idea if they are wood under the fiberglass? Are they solid fiberglass? How do I check their condition? I'm assuming they are rotten too (if they're wood).

Thanks in advance!

 

[zach103]

Re: Transom, Stringers...........help!

I recently got this boat and I need to replace the transom. The one that's in there is made of plywood, is that normal? Yes sir

What should I replace it with? Usually 2 sheets of 3/4in plywood

How do I go about getting the old one out? Pull the cap off which actually looks like its part way done and just start pulling the wood out

In the attached pics, you can see the stringers....any idea if they are wood under the fiberglass? Are they solid fiberglass? How do I check their condition? I'm assuming they are rotten too (if they're wood). theres deff wood under the glass.. drill into them with a regular drill bit and if the wood comes out dark and clumpy its rotten. if it comes out light and looks like regular shavings its fine. do this to each stringer and in more than one place

Thanks in advance!

GOOD luck

 

[ondarvr]

Re: Transom, Stringers...........help!

Like he said ^^


Then do a search here on "rotten transom" and you can read for a week or two and see how others did it.

 

[strtbobber]

Re: Transom, Stringers...........help!

Thanks a lot guys! Excuse my ignorance, I'm new at owning a boat.

Zach, you're right, I started pulling the cap off....then figured I better be patient and post here first. Paid off, thanks again!

How do I make a template for a new transom??

 

[Isaacm1986]

Re: Transom, Stringers...........help!

How do I make a template for a new transom??

I have used cardboard. Held it up to the outer skin of the transom, traced and cut. This gave me a rough size for the transom. Then i held up the cardboard on the inside of the transom skin, and cut it to a tight fit. Traced it onto plywood and cut it all out.

Just how i have done it.

 

[zach103]

Re: Transom, Stringers...........help!

make sure when you get to that point to dry fit the transom before you start to glass anything

 

[Isaacm1986]

Re: Transom, Stringers...........help!

make sure when you get to that point to dry fit the transom before you start to glass anything

Good advise.

I forgot to mention this in my post.

 

[zach103]

Re: Transom, Stringers...........help!

Good advise.

I forgot to mention this in my post.

thats ok lol i knew you were thinking it.. it's late we have brain farts this time of nights

 

[strtbobber]

Re: Transom, Stringers...........help!

Thanks guys, very helpful!

As far as sarcasm....pfft...I can take it. (as long as I end up with a boat that floats next spring)

To Zach's defence.....he did answer all my questions..in red........lol

Thanks again to all! More questions to come........bet on it!!

 

[strtbobber]

Re: Transom, Stringers...........help!

And Dr..................I can tell my transom is gone cuz it's.....well...........GONE!........rotten!!

Thanks for the input.

 

[Isaacm1986]

Re: Transom, Stringers...........help!

Thanks for the input.

Here to help. If you have any more questions, don't hesitate to ask.

You might also consider starting a resto thread. You can ask any questions, and keep everything in one place.

Just a thought.

 

[strtbobber]

Re: Transom, Stringers...........help!

Another question.

It was said that if I drill into my stingers and the chips come out light, that it's likely they're ok. I did so, and they came out light, but damp/wet to the touch.
Replace them?? Is it any good to put new stringers up against the existing ones (with screws) and glass over the whole thing?

See pics.

 

[dude11]

Re: Transom, Stringers...........help!

Just a note to remember--once piece(transom) is dry fit, don't foreget they Grow some when glass is layered to'em.So leave some room.You can use the famous PB to fill in gaps.

 

[ezmobee]

Re: Transom, Stringers...........help!

Another question.

It was said that if I drill into my stingers and the chips come out light, that it's likely they're ok. I did so, and they came out light, but damp/wet to the touch.
Replace them?? Is it any good to put new stringers up against the existing ones (with screws) and glass over the whole thing?

See pics.

This is really one of those "if you have to ask, you should probably replace them" sort of deals. I would definitely NOT go putting new wood up against potentially wet wood. You'll most likely find those stringers aren't in that great a shape once you start tearing into them.

 

[strtbobber]

Re: Transom, Stringers...........help!

Good point ezmo, Thanks..

dude, thanks for your input as well. PB?? Not sure what that is.

 

[zach103]

Re: Transom, Stringers...........help!

look up peanut butter

 

[Woodonglass]

Re: Transom, Stringers...........help!

You really need to replace em. Once their wet they will NOT get better. PB is just thickend Resin using Cabosil which is a fiberglass thickening agent that you can purchase where you buy your resin. Mix it with the resin till it gets as thick as "Peanut Butter" Use it to fill in gaps and make fillets between the sides of the hull and the deck, stringers and hull etc... Do a search on Stringer Replacement and you will see a lot of others that have and are going thru the same thing you are. You can do this!!! All of us on here will help you all the way through it. With Time, Patience, Money and BEER you can do anything.

I'm just sayin...

 

[strtbobber]

Re: Transom, Stringers...........help!

You really need to replace em. Once their wet they will NOT get better. PB is just thickend Resin using Cabosil which is a fiberglass thickening agent that you can purchase where you buy your resin. Mix it with the resin till it gets as thick as "Peanut Butter" Use it to fill in gaps and make fillets between the sides of the hull and the deck, stringers and hull etc... Do a search on Stringer Replacement and you will see a lot of others that have and are going thru the same thing you are. You can do this!!! All of us on here will help you all the way through it. With Time, Patience, Money and BEER you can do anything.

I'm just sayin...

LMAO!!! Beer!! That cracked me up.......that's the largest portion of my household monthly budget.....

Well, I got the old transom out tonight. A lot of work, but I did it in less than 2 hours. It's weird, it was 2 sheets of 3/4" plywood with fiberglass in between. (you can see it in one of the pics) Is that normal? I would think I'd rather laminate 2 sheets then seal the unit as one. It's almost as though it used to be a 3/4" transom then someone decided to "fix" it by simply adding a second sheet.....meh.......nevertheless, it's out now.

I only have a 16' x 24' garage, so I took a pic of how I rigged it up so that I can work on the hull properly. My wife (in the pic with her arm in the air) is 5'3".....so it shows I don't have a huge amount of room, but it is what it is. Beats the crap outta working in the driveway!

In one of the pics you'll see the deck and the transom on the floor.......say bye bye!!

Tomorrow I start grinding............ugh

Thanks for the info (and encouragment) Wood!

 

[cyber]

Re: Transom, Stringers...........help!

I'm not trying to be a smarta## or anything, but do you have
some sort of sentimental attachment to that boat??

Because you sure have a sh1tload of work ahead of you
to bring that poor old gal back to her glory days!!!!!

But if you persist, it can be done!! Best of luck!!

 

[Woodonglass]

Re: Transom, Stringers...........help!

Your transom construction is pretty much SOP. BUT... when you build your new one I would suggest the following. With the NEW glues we have now, you can just use 3/4" Exterior Grade Plywood and buy some Titebond III glue.

It is some of the BEST waterproof glue on the market today and very easy to work with. Use some card board or heavy construction paper to make a template then transfer it to the plywood and cut it out, glue it up, put some HEAVY weight on it overnight and Voila' you have a new transom. Drink Beer! Don't worry to much on making it fit EXACTLY. Leaving some room for the Peanut Butter (Thickened Resin that you will use to glue it to the outer skin) to squeeze out is actually a good thing.
After you make it and glue the two pieces together you will coat it with resin, either poly or epoxy, your choice. Poly is cheaper, epoxy is stronger and doesn't smell as bad. Make sure to pay close attention to the edges of the plywood and get PLENTY of resin to soak into them. Next you will apply some 1.5 oz fiberglass mat to both sides and wrap the edges and then soak the mat with resin. Drink BEER! After this dries, and you have the outer skin all smooth and prepped, you're ready to re-install. You need to consider how you will clamp her to the outer skin. Lot's of mehods for this. When you get to ready for this we can help you with that as well. You will need about 5-10 gallons of resin and 3 yards of 1.5 oz mat and 15 yards of 1708 Biax cloth to do your entire boat. www.uscomposites.com is a good resources for all your supplies. Harbor Freight, Lowe's and Home Depot will become your TOY Stores and you WILL itch alot. BEER helps! ABSOLUTELY buy one of these.

and a pair of GOOD goggles, latex gloves, leather gloves, a tyvek suit, some talcum powder (to help keep down the itchin from the fiberglass) more BEER! , a 4 1/2" grinder, Sawzall, and a bunch of other stuff I'm forgetting and before you know it you'll have a NEW old boat.

We WILL help you all the way, You only have to ask.

I'm just sayin...