Fibreglassing Top corner of Transom?

[metic]

Hi,

I have recently bought a second hand boat that was built in 1985, its a Caribbean Crestcutter about 5.4 metres long, and i have noticed a bit of a stress crack or something on the upper corner of the transom, i was thinking of sanding it back a bit and filling the cavity with some "West System 105/205 epoxy" with some filler added to close up the gaps and then put a layer of Chop Strand Mat over the area and try to strengthen it up a little bit as there is about 1-2mm of flex in the area and i would like this not to flex at all...

I have a 115hp 4 stroke yamaha on the back and this is kinda heavy, what do you guys reccommend? is this approch okay? or should i change plans before i start messing with it. (I have 0 prior experience with epoxy and fibreglass repairs, so really just looking for a bit of guidance)

Thanks!

 

[GSPLures]

It sounds like a rotting transom. I would do a core sample and check the wood. There shouldn't be any movement. A boat that old the damage probably isn't just localized to the transom. I would check for other soft spots around the floor, and if you have access sample the stringers also.

 

[gm280]

My honest opinion...it doesn't look like a mere crack to me. It looks like some serious rot going on. And like @GSPLures suggested, do some test holes to verify you have a solid transom and not rot going on. To do that, take a ~1/4" drill and go to the lower area you can get to and drill your inspection holes on the transom to see if you get light colored dry shaving out, or dark wet shavings coming out. Of course don't drill all the way through. If you get light colored wood shavings coming out, reseal the holes and repair the corner and happy boating. If however, you get dark wet wood shavings, you need to replace the transom... JMHO

 

[metic]

My honest opinion...it doesn't look like a mere crack to me. It looks like some serious rot going on. And like @GSPLures suggested, do some test holes to verify you have a solid transom and not rot going on. To do that, take a ~1/4" drill and go to the lower area you can get to and drill your inspection holes on the transom to see if you get light colored dry shaving out, or dark wet shavings coming out. Of course don't drill all the way through. If you get light colored wood shavings coming out, reseal the holes and repair the corner and happy boating. If however, you get dark wet wood shavings, you need to replace the transom... JMHO

thanks mate, will give that a go, hopefully its not rotten :0

 

[jbcurt00]

thanks mate, will give that a go, hopefully its not rotten :0

Hope for the best, but prep for the worst...

Theres a lot of white/cream/brown colored goo spread all over the place. Thats not a good sign....

Good luck

 

[GSPLures]

I just got the pictures to load my internet isn't great at work. Definitely a lot of stuff around the edges. Even if the wood is solid the transom needs a lot of work to be safe enough to hang a motor off the back.