what type of filler to use between cap and transom

[wildvortex]

During my restoration I noticed a body style filler was used to take up the space between the top of the transom and the cap which has 2 different angles. When replacing the cap after the resto. there is still a small gap there. what should I use as a filler? I don't like the sounds of peanutbutter as you really do not want a good bond between the two I just need a little structure, or, is this even needed?

 

[wildvortex]

Re: what type of filler to use between cap and transom

Incase anyone is wondering what I am talking about

 

[Woodonglass]

Re: what type of filler to use between cap and transom

Back off a bit with the camera, I'm still not understanding where this is located on the boat.

 

[wildvortex]

Re: what type of filler to use between cap and transom

Top of the transom right where the motor mounts. also just above where the splash pan drains are. will get another pic later wood.

 

[wildvortex]

Re: what type of filler to use between cap and transom

This tapers down from 1/2 in. to no gap.

 

[Woodonglass]

Re: what type of filler to use between cap and transom

Very interesting! Are you sure you are the first one to rebuild this boat? Really don't think the Factory would build it like that but I could be wrong. If I were doing it, I would use some scraps of csm and 1708 and build up a strip of glass to the thickness required and then sand it to shape as best I could. I would then use epoxy to glue it in place. Fill, Sand, and Fair then paint it and call it good.

 

[wildvortex]

Re: what type of filler to use between cap and transom

I can't be sure that this is the first time it has been rebuilt but the marina my parents bought it from just layed glassed ply over the origional deck and it was done in such a way that the cap would not have needed to be removed. There is a plastic trim piece that goes over the gap-fortunatly. The fiberglas wedge sounds good. will probably do that although I have been looking into "Marine" body filler. That section does not take any load so it does not need alot of structural support.

 

[MichaelP]

Re: what type of filler to use between cap and transom

The 1/2 gap might be a but too large for filling with 3M5200 but could be worth a try.

 

[Woodonglass]

Re: what type of filler to use between cap and transom

You could use PB, but personally, I would feel better with something more solid. PB with lots of fiber will be strong so I guess it would work, just confusing on why it is like that. I would do what you think is best for your situation.

 

[JDA1975]

Re: what type of filler to use between cap and transom

Mine has a gap like that as well, no filler though...my motor doesn't even touch the top of the transom, actually rides about 1" above it. I do have a metal trim plate that covers said gap though, its purely cosmetic, thin metal. Lower edge of my splash-well was "glued" to transom with a PB, but I assume that's just to keep things from having room to move, and break the splash-well drains etc.


Gap

Trim

 

[GT1000000]

Re: what type of filler to use between cap and transom

Hello wildvortex,

First off, let me say that I am in no way an expert in boats.

Been following along and would just like to make a suggestion or two...

This is assuming that this is the only issue with the boat and the transom is solid...

By what I can see in the picture, you might be able to cut the corner where it curves upward, do a little bit of grinding in that area, in preparation for a little glass repair.
Then mix up some thick adhesive, like peanut butter {recipes available throughout the restoration forum} or thick epoxy or something like that and push it into the gap between the cap and transom. Then bend and clamp the gap down on to the transom. If the cap won't flex to meet the transom, you can try using a heat gun to CAREFULLY warm the bend down, or you might have to cut a shallow groove along the length of the cap, creating a sort of hinge, then grind, fill, fair, touch up all the previously ground areas.

Another idea to keep from "gluing" your top cap down on the transom, is to do the same as above by cutting and bending, but instead of using PB or epoxy, you can inject some 5200, bend and clamp, add a piece of aluminum angle trim with a couple of stainless screws, and make the necessary cosmetic repairs to the cap.

Hope these ideas give some extra "food for thought"...

Remember, there are as many ways to do something as there are opinions, but not all of them are the right way and not all of them will work...

Good Luck,
GT1M

 

[wildvortex]

Re: what type of filler to use between cap and transom

Mine is the same situation as JDA's the motor does not touch this area and does have a moulding which goes over it. as for PB well I do not want a nightmare should I ever have to remove the cap again. Just want to add some support to that area incase anything is dropped on it. BTW GT this is the end of a restoration and there was filler in there when I took her apart. The transom has just been rebuilt.

 

[Cadwelder]

Re: what type of filler to use between cap and transom

You really need to find out WHY the cap isn't laying all the way down. There is a problem somewhere as this gap should not be there and certainly should not be a tapering gap.

I would feel much more comfortable with at least a little investigation before just "filling the gap" with anything...

CW

 

[wildvortex]

Re: what type of filler to use between cap and transom

Cad, everything is seated well, it is a tapered gap because the cap is levelat that point and the transom runs down at an angle behind the boat it is not designed plumb. therefore unless you cut that angle into the top of the transom when making it you will have a tapered gap. Not sure if the transom was rebuilt prior though I am almost positive that it was not therefore it most likely came from the factory this way. again, this bears no load at that point and I know that the transom is super secure in its current state.

 

[Woodonglass]

Re: what type of filler to use between cap and transom

Like I said in the beginning, I can't imagine the engineers at the factory designing a boat with this gap. There is no practical reason for it. Something has changed since the original mfg and now. Not sure what but something. Again a gap filling piece of glass and not PB would be my first choice but leaving the void is NOT an option IMHO.

 

[BobsGlasstream]

Re: what type of filler to use between cap and transom

Personally, I would think that if it doesn't have a gap under the rub rail, Then it was either made that way or at some point the cut out in the transom was cut lower. The cap doesn't look like it was modified.
Just my opinion.

Bob

 

[Woodonglass]

Re: what type of filler to use between cap and transom

I agree it appears the top of the transom has been modified and lowered.

 

[wildvortex]

Re: what type of filler to use between cap and transom

While I respect everyones thoughts and opinions I listened and came up with sort of my own fix. It is sort of on line with Wood's idea as well as ther PB idea. doubled some wax paper and folded it into the void so as to use it as a release mold. I then cut 1 in strips of CSM laminated them and then stuffed them into the void. Lastly I took some glass fibers that i Had seperated from the CSM through the entire project and saturated them in resin. I used this to fill any area that had not been filled by the glass strips. Waited for the resin to harden then removed, cut and sanded down to size then epoxied it into place.

BTW when I removed the wedge it turned out that the gap was more like 1/4 inch the way the glass on the hull was made it look more like 1/2 inch

 

[Woodonglass]

Re: what type of filler to use between cap and transom

That's pretty much exactly how I imagined it. Great Job IMHO!!!

 

[Cadwelder]

Re: what type of filler to use between cap and transom

You done fine....I'm just always a bit concerned with things like that. Trust me, it shouldn't be there. But as long as you're sure all is well, you're filling method is good.

CW