Considering my first Transom Repair - Now with Pictures!!

[NSBCraig]

Re: Considering my first Transom Repair

Re: Considering my first Transom Repair

Your best choice for wood is marine grade.

Don't use PT. MDO? I don't know. No manufacturer uses it so why not just use some good marine ply? YOur only gonna use one piece of 3/4".

 

[Cadwelder]

Re: Considering my first Transom Repair

Re: Considering my first Transom Repair

I found a lumber yard locally that carries both MDO and Marine plywood. Since I am doing this myself and saving $1500 doing it myself, I am willing to spend the extra $30 on the marine grade plywood if it is worth the difference.

So.....is it worth the difference?

Robbie

Yes......

 

[rwilliek]

Re: Considering my first Transom Repair

Re: Considering my first Transom Repair

One sheet of ply, two piece's sandwiched together.

I'm planning on using the marine grade.....gotta get the boat apart first.

Robert

 

[rwilliek]

Re: Considering my first Transom Repair

Re: Considering my first Transom Repair

Got a lot of progress done in just a few hours today. Got the cap split from the hull, and got the majority of the mulch out.

I have a question for you's guys.....I don't see any fiberglass that attaches to the sides, as there is urethane foam down the sides of the hull. Should I cut it out, and tab the new transom into the good glass on the sides?

I'm fairly amazed the motor hadn't cracked the transom skin...or pulling me around on the tube for that matter. The transom wood was very soft, and wet. The wood directly behind the motor was at least held together a bit....better than the rest anyway.

Photos:

Here is the photo of the foam - hopefully this explains my above questions about attaching the transom to the sides:

Again, thanks to the folks on this site who have encouraged me thus far. I would have never undertaken such a job without reading the threads here depicting the entire job.

My fiberglass supplies are scheduled for delivery on Wednesday!

Robbie

 

[rwilliek]

Re: Considering my first Transom Repair

Re: Considering my first Transom Repair

Any thoughts on tabbing the transom to the sides with the foam in the way? Should I remove the foam and the re-pour?

 

[Cadwelder]

Re: Considering my first Transom Repair

Re: Considering my first Transom Repair

Any thoughts on tabbing the transom to the sides with the foam in the way? Should I remove the foam and the re-pour?

Yes I would remove the foam and re pour it. You're actually lucky the transom is really bad, (well from the repair side) when it's totally gone it comes out much easier.

 

[rwilliek]

Re: Considering my first Transom Repair

Re: Considering my first Transom Repair

Indeed- most of the transom removed fairly easily. Thankfully the wood directly behind the motor had enough strength to hold the motor onto the boat.

Thanks for the advice....I will begin cutting out the foam tonight pending it doesn't rain.

 

[rwilliek]

Re: Considering my first Transom Repair

Re: Considering my first Transom Repair

More progress was made today, despite the light rain.

The transom is now completely out. Even though the wood was wet, it was still tough to get out in some areas. Next step is to cut/grind/sand out all of the old tabbing. This will include a little more foam removal.

This boat was built well, at least in my opinion. The stringers were tied into the transom very nicely, and better yet, they were wrapped on the end. They are solid is a rock thankfully.

I removed the foam below the floor which I believe is structural support for both the hull and the floor which supports the fuel tank and the battery (or batteries).

Not so good photo of the lack of a transom - wood used to be at the top of the photo:

Better picture:

UPS dropped off my 5 gallons of resin, 7 yards of CSM, 7 Yards of Biax and variety of misc tools and measuring items. I also ordered the two part foam necessary for finishing up the floor.

Robbie

 

[rwilliek]

Re: Considering my first Transom Repair

Re: Considering my first Transom Repair

I finally got all of the junk out of the way, and got the plywood cut for the transom.

We had a weird thundershower while I was working on it....I would run over the boat, it would start pouring rain. I would pick up and run inside, and it would stop raining. Run back outside, pouring rain....I dealt with this for a couple hours before it subsided.

I found a trick for those who have to template for the new transom.....put the transom in place, then shine a flashlight from the inside of the boat, toward the transom, while peaking behind the new transom...when the light disappears, that a section that needs to be trimmed.

I was pretty satisfied with the fitment of the first piece, so I transfered the outline to the rest of the plywood and cut out the second piece. I laminated them together with resin and CSM.

Its curing now. I may have to either sand a little area out of the transom that contacts the stringers to give me room for the new CSM......or I could trim the stingers....I am leaning towards adjusting the new transom instead.

 

[Woodonglass]

Re: Considering my first Transom Repair

Re: Considering my first Transom Repair

Did you drill core samples on the stringers???

 

[rwilliek]

Re: Considering my first Transom Repair

Re: Considering my first Transom Repair

 

[rwilliek]

Re: Considering my first Transom Repair

Re: Considering my first Transom Repair

No need to core - there is already a hole in them....I would assume it was to inject the foam, or allow it to bleed out if necessary.

The wood inside is solid. I've beat on them a little while a hammer as well....I see no problems there.

 

[Woodonglass]

Re: Considering my first Transom Repair

Re: Considering my first Transom Repair

Now I'm confused. If there is Wood inside the glass covered stringers, What Foam injection are you referring to? Tapping on them with a hammer is NOT a reliable method to determine the condition of the wood. IF they are Foam injected stringers then the foam inside could be totally water saturated based on the overall condition of the rest of your boat. I would hate for you to have the boat torn down to this state and then cover up a condition that could be taken care of now only to have to come back and do it later. BUT, if you are confident that the stringers are 100% then go for it!!!!! Make sure to wrap the edges of your transom with the 1.5oz mat and resin. Thats the most susceptible area for water penetration.

 

[rwilliek]

Re: Considering my first Transom Repair

Re: Considering my first Transom Repair

I should take a photo to clarify, but its dark outside already. The stingers have holes in them that run horizontally through them (port to starboard) for foam injection into the space between the hull and the floor.

Putting my finger into that hole, the wood is in good shape. I will core the stinger though just to be sure.

 

[Woodonglass]

Re: Considering my first Transom Repair

Re: Considering my first Transom Repair

Please take pics. This "Dumb OKIE" is havin a Hard Time understanding!

Sorry!!!!:facepalm:

 

[rwilliek]

Re: Considering my first Transom Repair

Re: Considering my first Transom Repair

No problem - I will have to do it tomorrow....

 

[rwilliek]

Re: Considering my first Transom Repair

Re: Considering my first Transom Repair

This photo depicts the hole pretty well.

 

[Woodonglass]

Re: Considering my first Transom Repair

Re: Considering my first Transom Repair

Ok Gotcha Now!!! HMMM! Odd place to have a Hole!!! I guess Like you said It could have been where they injected the foam. I dunno. Very Odd! I would still take core samples all along your stringers from front to back to ensure there is no wet wood in em. Better safe than sorry. You sure don't want to have to rip this thing apart again!!!! NICE FIT on that Transom by the way

 

[Cadwelder]

Re: Considering my first Transom Repair

Re: Considering my first Transom Repair

This photo depicts the hole pretty well.

Is there a matching hole on the other stringer? Looks like a factory hole, often they run a steel rod thru the stringes to lift them out of the mold, they really should seal the holes back up, but usually don't.

Was your transom cut out around the stringers like that before?

Edit: Yes I see the matching hole, duhhhhh. Those are lifting holes.

 

[rwilliek]

Re: Considering my first Transom Repair

Re: Considering my first Transom Repair

Thanks for the compliments on the transom fit....I worked several hours getting it to fit as tightly as possible.

The transom was not cut out around the stingers. The picture might be a bit deceiving, but I had to remove about 0.25-inches in the area of the strings to make room for fit and CSM/Resin. Once completed (it's curing now), there should be very little room between the two.

I'll get those hole sealed as soon as I get the foam poured.