Transom has rot.

[Mark42]

Went to drill new mounting holes in transom and found it has rot. Drilled a few exploratory holes from inside and found wet wood. The transom still seems strong. Planning on using the Seacast repair system later this summer or in the spring of '05.<br /><br />My question is this: How bad does the rot have to be before a complete repair is needed? How to tell?<br /><br />Thanks,<br />Mark.

 

[JB]

Re: Transom has rot.

Just one boater's opinion, Mark.<br /><br />Rot is like cancer. Get it all out or die.<br /><br />Many folks believe in Seacast. I don't.<br /><br />Replace your transom and do it now.<br /><br />Good luck.

 

[Mark42]

Re: Transom has rot.

JB,<br />What are your reasons for not believing in the Seacast product?<br /><br />What other alternatives to Seacast do I have?<br /><br />Thanks,<br /><br />Mark.

 

[JamesCoste]

Re: Transom has rot.

Mark,<br />The same happened to me early last spring. I had to cut out/chip out the old transom and rebuild it. I used two layers of 3/4" marine plywood and then glassed it in. I was able to save the skin of the original fiberglass on the exterior of the boat, but the interior was all new.<br /><br />The boat I did this on is a 16' 1973 Kennedy Kraft. It was some work, but the transom is solid and water-tight.<br /><br />I'm not familiar with SeaCast.

 

[Solittle]

Re: Transom has rot.

Rot is caused by a fungus. If you don't get it all out or kill the fungus it will spread. You can cover it over, put other stuff in it but none of those are long term solutions and some are more cosmetic than anything.

 

[Mark42]

Re: Transom has rot.

I am favoring the Seacast repair system because you remove all the wood and replace it with a non-rotting plastic product. If I do it over with marine plywood, I believe there is still the opportunity for water to leak into the plywood in the future. There is also the additional effort involved with making the plywood conform to the curve of the transom. The Seacast is poured in and no water can be absorbed, even with poor sealing on the through fittings and mounting bolts. <br /><br />And seeing as this boat is being pushed by a relatively small 40 hp, I feel that the Seacast product should be strong enough.<br /><br />Am I making any bad assumptions here? Are there problems with non-wood transoms?<br /><br />I am definitely NOT going to use one of those products designed to be absorbed by the rotted wood to make it hard again. Trying to remove all the absorbed water (and you know there are gallons of it) must be imposable and I hear that the results are mediocre at best. <br /><br />Thanks,<br />Mark

 

[JB]

Re: Transom has rot.

I take back what I said, Mark.<br /><br />If you plan to completely remove the wood and replace it with a strong, non-brittle product you should be successful.<br /><br />I envisioned a patch job.. .that is what I didn't like.<br /><br />Good luck.