1968 Glastron Transom question

[Pgham96]

Hi everybody,

I recently got my grandfathers Glastron started (stored dry for 12 years) and is mostly in good shape.

I noticed there were some cracks in the inside of the transom (attached picture). It seems to be just the gel coat and underneath is dry wood.

I put some marine goop overtop the exposed areas to try to mitigate any excess fresh water from getting in.

My question is - do you think the boat is safe/useable for the rest of the summer? I would rather not dry it out and undertake the work of replacing the transom until the fall.

I was also wondering if there were any temporary band aids until I properly fix the isssue!

 

[tpenfield]

Welcome to iBoats . . .

It is a bit hard to tell which just a single picture. Any cracks or other obvious issues on the outside of the transom?

The boat will probably need a restoration at some point, but it is a judgement call (your call) as to its fitness for use. Keep the Band-Aids for when you cut yourself.

 

[jimmbo]

Gelcoat cracking is really a Portal into what the Future will be like for that Boat

 

[Chris1956]

Gee, I would remove the engine mounting bolts and sand the area down. if you hit solid fiberglass w/o the cracks, those cracks are superficial. Then brush the sanded area with polyester resin and lay some 10 oz fiberglass cloth over it. Build it back up in thickness to original or thicker, and you are done. make sure to fill the weave in the cloth with polyester resin, for max strength.

If the cracks go thru and you find bad transom wood, schedule a transom replacement for sometime soon.

 

[Pgham96]

Welcome to iBoats . . .

It is a bit hard to tell which just a single picture. Any cracks or other obvious issues on the outside of the transom?

The boat will probably need a restoration at some point, but it is a judgement call (your call) as to its fitness for use. Keep the Band-Aids for when you cut yourself.

Thanks for your quick reply.

0 cracks from the engine side and top of transom. The transom “feels” sturdy but I can’t tell lol.

 

[Pgham96]

Gee, I would remove the engine mounting bolts and sand the area down. if you hit solid fiberglass w/o the cracks, those cracks are superficial. Then brush the sanded area with polyester resin and lay some 10 oz fiberglass cloth over it. Build it back up in thickness to original or thicker, and you are done. make sure to fill the weave in the cloth with polyester resin, for max strength.

If the cracks go thru and you find bad transom wood, schedule a transom replacement for sometime soon.

Thanks for your reply!

The cracks go through straight to wood (when I chipped some off, the wood is hard and dry, except one spot that was getting some rain water in after a really heavy rainfall).

Could I do all of your suggestions but on the wood directly? After sanding it down. For some reason there is either no Fiberglass… OR I am completely wrong

 

[Chris1956]

You can apply fiberglass cloth and resin directly to the wood, and make the repair. I am surprised that the wood is in good shape, but if it is, definitely make the repair before it gets wet.

Grind the edges of the remaining fiberglass to feather them. Cut the first piece of new cloth to just touch the old glass. Cut the second piece of cloth to overlap the old cloth 1/4" or so. Cut the third piece of cloth to overlap the second by 1/4" or so...see the pattern?

Brush poly resin on the wood and apply the first piece of cloth. Wet out the first piece of cloth and apply the second. Wet it and apply the third. Try to make the entire repair at the same time, as it will be a bit stronger. If the cloth wants to slip, a stainless steel staple or two can hold it in place.

 

[racerone]

I would think the wood is rotten.-----Nothing but dry powder and flakes is all that is left of the plywood.-------Lower the motor down.------Put some weight on lower unit ( stand on it ) and see if transom flexes.

 

[todhunter]

In my boat there was a bulkhead that was not glassed in - just tabbed in with glass but the middle was just gelcoat over wood. Of course it was super rotten. You may have no glass in the area of the transom you're looking at. You could lay some glass over it to add strength, but if you have any wet / soft spots, you'll just be delaying the inevitable transom replacement, which may be OK in your situation if it's not unsafe yet and you want to get on the water short term / quickly.