what is the recommend way to glue together a transom? wood glue or expoxy

[srimshaw57]

Purchase a 1987 Starcraft 221V Islander, transom has to be replaced. have read different thread on I boats.Have read epoxy some say glue I'm in a quandary as to how to proceed.

 

[metriccrescentwrench]

Either will work, I've done both. IMO the best is to use an epoxy laminating resin thickened with equal parts of cabosil and milled fiber (spread with a notched trowel). One thing I do not recommend is Liquid Nails.... I used that once and it held me up for DAYS waiting for it to fully cure.

 

[jbcurt00]

I used gorilla glue to laminate my plywood transom, liked using it a great deal.

If you decide to use wood glue, make sure its TiteBond3 or an equivalent waterproof glue.

Epoxy, TB3 or a polyurethane glue like gorilla are all good choices. If you've used 1 of them before, I'd recommend using a product you are familiar with. I've never laminated wood w epoxy, but have used the other 2 products extensively.

 

[Texasmark]

We used to use a purple marine wood glue......Weldwood possible name. Been a long time. I built a boat with it once, Oak and Mahogany. Ripped the wood apart and the glue was still holding on a test sample.

 

[srimshaw57]

Is Cabosil a hardener? And where do you get the milled fibers? As you can see I'm new at this.

 

[jbcurt00]

Cabosil and milled fibers are fillers used to thicken the resin

 

[smokeonthewater]

Epoxy hands down

 

[hosteter]

I am a carpenter and i think that wood glue is better than other stuff.wood glue is made for glue together wood but it must be waterprof.

 

[gm280]

I used TiteBond 3 to initially glue the two transom parts together and then 435 Polyester, Cabisol and milled 1/4" fiberglass mixed to a paste like consistency to glue that to the transom of the hull. Of course each time with lots of clamps. And that transom is not coming back out without grinding it out...ever. JMHO

 

[Woodonglass]

For an aluminum boat, I'd agree with using epoxy since the wood won't be encapsulated in fiberglass. For fiberglass boats where the wood will be encapsulated in fiberglass it's ok to use just about any type waterproof glue. Once your get the wood glued make sure to seal it well too paying close attention to the edges. This is the first place water tries to invade and destroy the plywood. Epoxy is a good way to seal the wood too, although kinda pricey. Oil based paint, Marine Varnish, Polyurethane etc are other good alternatives to ensure the wood repels water and will last a good long time. NEVER use Pressure Treated Plywood or Lumber in an aluminum boat. The Chemicals will have an adverse effect on the aluminum an cause bad corrosion issues.

 

[Watermann]

I've used the Titebond poly and Gorilla poly glue, they both seem to have the same great results on my boat transoms. The problem with using fiberglass epoxy is in the mixing of it and making sure everything is perfect or it won't set for days if ever. Not so with ploy or wood glues like Titebond III.

 

[JimS123]

First of all use real marine grade plywood. laminate with marine grade (red) resin glue.

 

[Bondo]

For an aluminum boat, I'd agree with using epoxy since the wood won't be encapsulated in fiberglass.

Ayuh,..... Aloonng time ago, Pre-turn of the century, before I knew 'bout iboats, when I did my tinbarge transom, P/T was a different product, as that is what I used,....

Glued it together with resorsinol glue,...used to use it in the sign biz,.... then bathed it in boiled linseed oil for a week,....
So far, no rot, 'n no corrosion noted,....

Today, I gotta agree, it's hard to beat epoxy,....

 

[srimshaw57]

I think I'm going to go with titebond3 glue, I like the idea of not having to mix an epoxy and trying to get the right consistency and the right amount for the job.I would like to seal the transom before I install it. I don't know if I want to use linseed oil,or an oil based paint. Wanted to use pressure treated plywood for my flooring never thought about the chemical reaction.If it was sealed, paint or varnish first, would that be an option to eliminate chemical reaction?

Watermann: Your boat build was awesome. Spent three days reading your thread gave me the desire to fix this boat.

 

[smokeonthewater]

Do NOT use pressure treated wood in an aluminum boat.... Just don't do it......

Mixing epoxy is not tough... Purchase epoxy that has a 30 min pot life, purchase mixing cups with measurement marks on the side....

So easy a monkey could do it.

 

[Ned L]

For the comments about using "purple glue", and "red marine glue", those are most likely references to resorcinol glue. Resorcinol is the most waterproof of all glues, it is the glue that is FAA approved for wood airframes in planes. ....... It Does require high clamping pressure, to high for anyone at home to achieve when gluing two sheets of ply together. It also requires tight fitting glue lines for maximum strength, less than .003". It is also very temperature sensitive and need temps above 70 deg. It is the strongest and most waterproof stuff available, but needs to be used properly.
For gluing two sheets of plywood together at home epoxy would be the best choice.

 

[metriccrescentwrench]

Is Cabosil a hardener? And where do you get the milled fibers? As you can see I'm new at this.

Milled fiber is finely chopped fiberglass which adds strength. Cabosil is a thickening agent which keeps the slurry from running. I get all my fiberglassing supplies from US Composites.

 

[JASinIL2006]

I think I'm going to go with titebond3 glue, I like the idea of not having to mix an epoxy and trying to get the right consistency and the right amount for the job.I would like to seal the transom before I install it. I don't know if I want to use linseed oil,or an oil based paint. Wanted to use pressure treated plywood for my flooring never thought about the chemical reaction.If it was sealed, paint or varnish first, would that be an option to eliminate chemical reaction?

When I was looking at glues for a transom during my restoration, I saw some tables that addressed the water resistant qualities of different glues. (I think it was maybe something Woodonglass had posted, but I'm not sure.) I believe that Titebond3 has essentially the same water resistant qualities as the glue that holds the plies together in exterior and marine plywoods.. some of the polyurethane glues (e.g., Gorilla Glue) did have better water resistance, but what good does that additional water resistance do if the adhesive in the plywood fails?

 

[Woodonglass]

If you're going to use the TB III wood glue then I'd recommend fabricating your transom like this. Apply the glue liberally to both pieces of the plywood and then use 2x4 cauls spaced 6" apart to clamp them together. Let cure for 24-36 hours. Then apply this...

liberally to the edges till they won't absorb any more of it. You can use plain polyurethane and paint over it. Let this sealer cure for 3-4 days and then Follow up with 2-3 coats of Poly or Paint and this transom will last for Decades as long as you always take care to properly maintain it and seal any holes and hardware attachments.

 

[bonz_d]

That formula that WOG describes works very well, I've used it a number of times already with very good results. My opinion is that it is a very cost effective alternative to epoxy, especially in a tin boat.