injections for softspots on wooden 59' cruiser

[extramile]

I have a 1959 wooden Oconto Cruiser. Very similar to a Thompson. The transom was replaced about 15 years ago but is developing a few soft spots. I have heard about injecting the soft area with a substance that will harden, prevent more rot, and be structural. Can any one help me with what to use and how to use it. I have heard of "CPES". Is this what I use?

As a side note, Will the use planer fins on the motor (55hp outboard) cause undue strain on the transom. I am considering putting them on since the boat does takes a while to plane. It is very hard to see out the front until it does plain.

Thanks, Aron

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: injections for softspots on wooden 59' cruiser

install some smart tabs, not a hydrofoil. find the reason for the soft spots. usually in a wooded boat poor maintainance of the paint. we have used a product called 'rock hard' in the remodeling industry, for 50 years. last for ever, extremely hard to sand, when cured it's that hard. then seal it up again.

 

[extramile]

Re: injections for softspots on wooden 59' cruiser

The soft spots are on the transom only. They must have originated from a nick in the finish. the Rock Hard sounds like a good solution but I can't imagine it would keep the original look in tact since it is an unpainted (stained) portion of the boat. Any suggestions?

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: injections for softspots on wooden 59' cruiser

you have two options, patch and paint, repair correctly (replace) and stain. or if the patch is in a good location, put a decal over it.

 

[Docknocker]

Re: injections for softspots on wooden 59' cruiser

There's a small company near me (I don't even think they have a web site) who is a specialty epoxy resin formulator. Although it's been a LONG time since I did a total rebuild on a 1963 20' Dorset, I got all my resins from them and they were great people, with excellent product. They used to produce a resin formulated to do exactly what you want - even came with an injector kit, and you could choose what cure time/hardness level you wanted. Don't remember what it was called, but I used it and it worked great. Much better than the polyester resins the national chains sell, and at the time, better priced. For the price of a long distance call, you may find it well worth it.

Astro Chemical, Ballston Lake, NY (518)399-5338

 

[Docknocker]

Re: injections for softspots on wooden 59' cruiser

Don't know how I did that - their number is
(518)399-5338

If you do try them, let me know how you made out

Drew

 

[Docknocker]

Re: injections for softspots on wooden 59' cruiser

Did I find a worm here?? Area code is 5-1-eight

 

[Solittle]

Re: injections for softspots on wooden 59' cruiser

If the soft spot is rot and you want a lasting solution you have to get all the rot out or kill it. Injecting any kind of resin will only postpone the agony. Rot is a fungus and will continue to grow until it is killed or removed.

Believe this or not but injecting automotive antifreeze will kill the rot. Use a hypodermic needle the size used to give horses an injection. Saturate the area, let it dry thoroughly, then inject filler like CPES or resin.

 

[iwombat]

Re: injections for softspots on wooden 59' cruiser

Make sure you use ethylene glycol based antifreeze and not propylene glycol based or "non-toxic" antifreeze.

 

[extramile]

Re: injections for softspots on wooden 59' cruiser

Thank you all for the ideas. I think I will try the "kill it with antifreeze then inject cpes" method. I will also look into the smart tabs.