How to fix holes in transom?

[25thmustang]

This might be my first question on here. I finally got my car where I want and the boat is next. It appears the PO had something mounted on the transom and has since removed it. There are some small holes down at or below the water line. I would like to address these the best way possible. What can I do to plug these?

Thanks.

 

[Capt'n Chris]

Re: How to fix holes in transom?

You make it sound as though someone has removed a transducer. Has it leaked? Are you sure?

Captain Chris
www.sternmate.com

 

[CATransplant]

Re: How to fix holes in transom?

What's the boat made of? That will determine how to fix the holes. Without adequate information, we'll just be guessing.

 

[P 0 P E Y E]

Re: How to fix holes in transom?

One solution is to use a couple of no.8 (or the right size to bite) round head stainless screws.

clean the hole out with a drill bit if needed, be careful not to go too deep. some tape wrapped around the drill bit as a drill stop may work. Dry fit the screws to make sure they seat and bite in.

Remove the screws, coat the threads with 4200 or 101 marine sealant. install the screws, clean off the excess from your tools, your hands, your clothes.

TECH tip of the day....when working with marine sealants, pre cut your rag or paper towel into small, post it sized squares and have the trash can near by. throw away each rag section immediately as used to prevent the cat and the hat, thing one and thing two from needing to clean you up.

 

[25thmustang]

Re: How to fix holes in transom?

I appologize about the lack of information...

The boat is the one in my signature. It is a fiberglass cabin cruiser. The holes do appear to have been something mounted, but not sure what or why it was removed. I might get some photographs of the holes for further explanation. I want to say the holes actually go through the whole transom not just "screw in" to it.

As far as it leaking, I have not had the boat in the water yet. I'm doing some maintenance and upgrades before I drop it in. I want to take care of these issues before I get it wet...

Is there an epoxy or something that will fill the hole?

Thanks

 

[Gary H NC]

Re: How to fix holes in transom?

One thing you could do after making sure the wood in the holes is dry is to fill them with 3M 5200 or a product called Marine-tex.
Both will seal them up.The 5200 is white and the Marine-tex comes in white or gray.
I prefer the 5200 for small holes from old screws.
If you use the 5200 wait a couple days before the boat hits the water...

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: How to fix holes in transom?

I take the cheaper road

I use "bondo marine epoxy stick" which is capable of being applied under water. Many hardware stores carry it local to you. Google it.

You just cut off a chunk and knead it..... force it into the hole. Smooth out and your done.

 

[AngelC]

Re: How to fix holes in transom?

I take the cheaper road

I use "bondo marine epoxy stick" which is capable of being applied under water. You just cut off a chunk and knead it..... force it into the hole. Smooth out and your done.

I bought mine to repair a tiny hone underneath, that I have no idea how it happend. It was under twenty dollars at West Marine.

Good Luck

 

[bekosh]

Re: How to fix holes in transom?

Check out this article from West System.
http://www.westsystem.com/ss/repairing-machined-holes-in-fiberglass/

From your description, "I want to say the holes actually go through the whole transom not just "screw in" to it." I'm going to recommend that you plug the hole with a solid wood dowel and fiberglass patch.

A bit more work than just filling it with Marine Tex, but a much more solid & waterproof repair.

It's the method that I used on my previous boat to fill the mounting holes from an outboard kicker bracket.

The holes were about a 1/4" dia. I drilled them out slightly larger than a 1/4" dowel, coated the inside of hole with thin resin, then put in the dowel and filled with resin thickened with wood powder (fine sawdust) or micro balloons. When set and dry, sand smooth and paint to match.

 

[25thmustang]

Re: How to fix holes in transom?

I will get a better idea what I am working with soon. The wood inside is dry so no new transom for me (luckily). The holes are down where the bottom paint is, so appearances wont matter, as it will be painted over after.

I will look into the products and the dowel technique.

Thanks guys, this was the advice I was looking for.