wet transom

[sasanm]

Hey Guys,
I started my project of iupdating my 18 foot starcraft holiday. After cleaning it out and removing the gas tank I noticed I had several wet spots on the wood transom. The area by the motor mounts look good but it appears that the spashwell drain holes were pluged (previous owner put the output hose from the bilge pump through it). I am wondering now since I will be recarpeting and adding a casting deck in the rear of the boat should I redo the transom as well. Also do you think this would be a good project for seacast.

 

[DJ]

Re: wet transom

Sea Cast-no.

Check out the transom repair in my last project. Link below.

http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?t=233970

 

[pduquette]

Re: wet transom

Hi SASANM
First test the wood, if it is hloding water it probably is starting to rot.
poke arround at the wood with an awl , pick, or screwdriver .If it goes into the wood easily start ripping it out there is no sence in covering it up with carpet - it will only make it rot faster. If the wood feels solid, try speeding up the drying process with a small ceramic heater (keep safe-keep yuor eyes on it) then seal it with fiberglass. The seacast usualy would be poured inside the inner +outer walls of the transom. I'd ask others with alum boats to chime in with alternate ideas here Peter

 

[DJ]

Re: wet transom

It's incredibly easy and cheap to replace the transom in most aluminum boats.

When in doubt, replace it.

 

[oops!]

Re: wet transom

dj thats a fantastic link.....

really informative...

good job

 

[SgtMaj]

Re: wet transom

Seacast won't work in this application unless you build an inside and outside wall to sandwich it between, and if you go to all that trouble, you might as well just skip the seacast and just replace the wood.

 

[sasanm]

Re: wet transom

Guys thanks for the info so far. I have had the boat in the garage for a couple of week now and after taking the last pics I ran the heater in the garage for a day and the wet spots appeared to have dried up. I have decided to replace the transom next weekend just to be safe and it does not look like it will be that hard since I do not have an inner skin. Couple of questions though. The current transom the wood does not go all the way to the bottom. Is this common or should I make it so it goes to the bottom (pic #1). Also on the outside of the transom there is a section of wood that sticks out about a 1/2 inch. I am not sure if there is aluminum skin under it but I do not think so. (pic #2) Do I set up the new transom like this or am I better off keeping it flush with the aluminum outer skin. What is the best way to waterproof? Paint/glass/epoxy? Last pic you can see the splash well that is riveted to the sides of the gunwale? Do you think this is part of the support structure? The reason why I am asking is I am planning on putting a casting deck but the large hump is a higher then where I want the deck at.
Thanks

 

[ezmobee]

Re: wet transom

You don't want it to go all the way to the bottom. If you get water in your boat (and in an old aluminum I'm sure you will) it can wick up through the wood. I have a very similar boat to yours and will be doing the same project this spring. There is definitely aluminum under that outside wooden plate. I had the motor and that plate off this past spring to replace the plate which was completely rotten and leaking water through the bolts. I should have done the transom at that time but I thought I could get away with just doing the outer piece.

Here's mine with the motor and that outer piece off:

 

[sasanm]

Re: wet transom

ezmobee, thanks for the info. you are right they are almost the same boat. What did you use to paint your boat and how much of it?
thanks

 

[ezmobee]

Re: wet transom

I used Rustoleum in spray cans. Many many many many spray cans. Wouldn't do it again this way. I probably could have had it professionally sprayed for what I spent on spray cans.