Need help with replacing Transom

[biglurr54]

I have a 1989 18ft Crestliner Phantom that has a weak transom. I have been using it but the motor has a little play and now I am noticing that when i throttle up the motor moves down which leads me to believe that the transom is getting weaker. My plan is to take the motor off and take all the bolts and fittings off the transom. Then I will cut where the wood is that needs to be replaced with a angle grinder. Ill remove the sheet of alluminum and that will expose the wood. Then I will either use pt plywood west systemed together or west system in pt dimensional lumber. Im not sure which is the best due to the wood shrinking when it seasons. Then I will take the boat to the local aluminum welder and fabricator and have him weld the sheet back on the back of the boat. I may have him add a few knee braces to help distribute the load.

Does this sound like a good plan of attack?

What should I do for wood in the transom?

 

[bp1313]

Re: Need help with replacing Transom

Hey Big,

You should post some pics for the pros to get the most informed advice. From a newbie perspective... no pressure treated wood with aluminum. Something about the chemicals in the wood not reacting well to the aluminum. If you're coating it in resin/glass prior to installing I could be totally wrong.

good luck

 

[mwe-maxxowner]

Re: Need help with replacing Transom

Pressure treated wood doesn't take glass and resin well either due to the moisture in the wood. Use good quality exterior ply!

 

[Woodonglass]

Re: Need help with replacing Transom

Do not cut any aluminum off of your boat. Post some pics and let us have a look at what you have and we can guide you to the proper way to do this repair.

 

[biglurr54]

Re: Need help with replacing Transom

I have three year seasoned ply wood. Ill post some pics when next week when I'm back in town.

 

[biglurr54]

Re: Need help with replacing Transom

The aluminum that I will be cutting out doesn't appear to be structural. I will be welded right back into place once the wood is replaced. The epoxy is more to fill in small voids to stiffen everything up.