transom fiberglass separation

[bobchaytor]

good day <br />this is my first time here<br />I am starting a large project on my 1965 14' hourston. It probally isn't worth rebuilding but it has been in the family since new, and has seen a lot of use and some very nasty weather off the west coast of Vancouver Island and performed very well . She has allso been to the bottom once and survived.<br /><br />Anyway my problem , I've stripped out all the transom plywood and deck, which was rotten. But what I have found is,the middle 1/3 (at least)of the transom, the fiberglass has delaminated. with 2 verticle fractures on the inner layer, from the bottem up to near the top .<br />The outer jell coated layer is good.<br /><br />What I plan is to grind out the delaminated section , fill and smooth it and add a third layer of mat over the whole inner side of the transom. My question will this work, any suggestions<br />thanks for any help<br />bob

 

[G DANE]

Re: transom fiberglass separation

A warm welcome here Bob.<br /><br />Nice to hear people care for old family treasures, I fully understand that. With your care it will be as good as new or better ! I understand you stripped everything from the transom from the inside, right, first inner glass skin, then plywood. If the outherlaminate has a loose layer on inside, you can grind it out, sand the surface of what healthy fiber laminate is left and lay up several plyes untill you regain original thickness. Just make sure the surface is sanded and wiped down with acetone, just before you start to add new mat/poly or epoxy. When the outher skin is intack again, lay up a layer of wettet mat and clamp your plywood to it. You will get a good bond that way. Finish by sealing it with 2-3 layers on the inside. I enjoyed reading this side a lot : http://www.fiberglass-repair.com/about.html

 

[BoatBuoy]

Re: transom fiberglass separation

bob,<br /> You have found a good site here - lots of knowledgeable people here and lots of good info. There's also another site you might want to take a look at - www.fiberglassics.com. Lots of folks there involved in restoring old F/G boats. Between the 2 there's probably help on any phase you're involved in.