Transom Experts Needed

[JASinIL2006]

It has been a while since I put this one in but I don't remember it being too bad. I am leaning towards it kicking off before I had the wood clamped in place being the primary cause of it not adhering well.



No I did all that, pretty sure I had enough PB anyway, definitely pre-treated the wood and clamped it about as well as I could. I am thinking that the resin may have kicked off though it would explain the one sided good bond with the other side not so good. I'll have to figure out a way to slow down the reaction. I am going to do the relief holes this time, I don't remember that being a thing when I put this one in.

If your resin is kicking off too fast, you can back of the catalyst (MEKP) a bit, and/or try chilling the resin in the fridge before mixing it. Anything you can do to cool the resin/work surfaces will help slow the reaction and give you more working time.

 

[local]

I removed the left side yesterday, it was even worse. In this case I am not sure there was even contact on most of the wood. The top left had good contact then virtually nothing and finally the resin pulled off the hull at the keyhole again. I guess it was a good thing I had to redo it. Now I am in the middle of one of my least favorite things to do.

Thanks for the help all.

If your resin is kicking off too fast, you can back of the catalyst (MEKP) a bit, and/or try chilling the resin in the fridge before mixing it. Anything you can do to cool the resin/work surfaces will help slow the reaction and give you more working time.

I am going to try some different mixes before doing anything permanent. Just don't know if I am going to be able to get it done before next weekend with the high 90s temps in the afternoon.

 

[JASinIL2006]

Temps that warm will certainly make it challenging, even if you can slow the curing down by using less catalyst or chilling the resin. Maybe this is a good time to lobby for an air conditioned workspace!

 

[Zippys Gelcoat and Fiberglass Repair]

We used 3 solid pieces of wood.gkassd together. You dont want to splice. That weakens the transom. A seam is a weak point. You dont want a seam there for sure. Sure, itchy scratchy for a bit. Well worth it to do it right. I reccomend rinsing the cut glass off you straight down. Dont rub of course. Air dry. Then spray lysol on the affected areas. Dont ask, but I'm telling ya it helps. Used it for years everyday. Then just rinse it of after it drys and air dry arms out pat dry. Good luck. You're almost there and cant wait to see the product when you're done.

 

[Zippys Gelcoat and Fiberglass Repair]

You definately do not want to splice. But if you do I would stagger them to maximize the strength. Also Indont knownhow expensive it is but I would reccomend Coosa Board instead of plywood. The abortion rate is around 1-2 % I believe. The absorption rate of the plywood is 10-60 % and we all know what happens to wood that's continuously exposed to water . The absorption of water will not cause rot because its non organic. Resesrch it if you would like.