Transom wood treatment

[iowafish]

I'm replacing the transom board in my aluminum Lund fishing boat. I'm wondering if I should treat the new board with a water treatment before it?s installed or just seal it up with 3M 5200 when it?s bolted in. The new board is made from marine grade plywood. I know that many compounds are not compatible with aluminum. Any suggestions?

 

[robert graham]

Re: Transom wood treatment

I put a new plywood transom board on my aluminum canoe about 20 years ago and I just coated it with clear urethane, add another coat about every year or so, it's holding up fine. Seems a thinner urethane will penetrate and run into the cracks and crevices and seal out the water better. Good Luck!

 

[ezmobee]

Re: Transom wood treatment

It depends on how long you want it to last. From best to least bestest :

Fiberglass it
Coat it with epoxy resin
Marine spar varnish
Quality porch and floor paint

 

[Woodonglass]

Re: Transom wood treatment

Lots of Variables. How big of a motor is going to be hanging on it? How is it stored? Covered/Uncovered? What kind of water? Fresh/Salt? Things to think about. If she were mine, I would give the wood a coat of epoxy resin and then a layer of 6 oz glass (both sides)paying close attention to wrapping the edges and making sure to saturate the glass with resin. Doing this guarantees that it will last and be strong enough to hold what ever you hang on it.

I'm just sayin...

 

[iowafish]

Transom wood treatment

Looks like I'll use epoxy resin thinned with acetone. Should get the results that I'm after. Can get the epoxy resin and the floation foam from the same supplier. Thanks.

 

[ezmobee]

Re: Transom wood treatment

US Composites should have everything you need. I'm no expert, but I think the real experts on here recommend against thinning the epoxy. If you're worried about penetration, I wouldn't. My ply sucked it up like a sponge on the first coat.

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: Transom wood treatment

Looks like I'll use epoxy resin thinned with acetone. Should get the results that I'm after. Can get the epoxy resin and the floation foam from the same supplier. Thanks.

I would not advise that you thin the epoxy at all. Read this post. http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?t=365255

 

[86 century]

Re: Transom wood treatment

The best way to get the resin to penetrate is to make sure the wood is as warm as possible and mix the resin as cold as you can. You don't have as much control with epoxy but it is much stronger and bonds better.
This little tid bit came from a local fella that doe's allot of work along the same line as oops.
Good Luck