Suggestions on non wood product for transom replacement?

[gunner1]

I'm going to need to redo my transom in my aluminum boat. It's a 24' Peterborough. I was thinking about pvc board that I found online available in sheets. I also did an iboats search and came up with coosa composite.Does anyone have any experience with either one of these or other suggestions? Before someone pipes in and says "wood is just as good" I don't want any wood in the boat from the transom to the dash. Thanks.

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: Suggestions on non wood product for transom replacement?

Forget the PVC ........ hey build a mold and use nida-bond or seacast.

 

[Woodonglass]

Re: Suggestions on non wood product for transom replacement?

You MIGHT consider MDO or HDO plywood. I KNOW you said you did NOT want any wood but you might want to consider this stuff. It is used to make Highway signs and is Highly Rated for exterior and Marine use. Check out this link.

http://www.pacificwoodlaminates.com/img/PDFs/PlywoodGuide.pdf

If you used either one of em, with a 6 oz fiberglass mat on both sides and a couple of coats of resin, I can guarantee that it would last longer than you would have the boat. It IS your boat so do what you think's best.


I'm just sayin...

 

[erikgreen]

Re: Suggestions on non wood product for transom replacement?

Since you say this is an aluminum boat, is the transom wood exposed, IE bolted to the inside of the transom?

If it is, you could in fact bolt on some PVC board instead of the wood, since in an aluminum boat it's mostly there for some extra thickness and stiffness and as a clamping pad for the outboard.

It'll be less stiff than plywood though. Considering how easy it is, relatively speaking, to replace an aluminum boat transom, do you really need to use something rot free?

Erik

 

[gunner1]

Re: Suggestions on non wood product for transom replacement?

Since you say this is an aluminum boat, is the transom wood exposed, IE bolted to the inside of the transom?

If it is, you could in fact bolt on some PVC board instead of the wood, since in an aluminum boat it's mostly there for some extra thickness and stiffness and as a clamping pad for the outboard.

It'll be less stiff than plywood though. Considering how easy it is, relatively speaking, to replace an aluminum boat transom, do you really need to use something rot free?

Erik

Yes, the transom wood is on the inside of the boat. My main concerns are that I don't want to have to deal with fiberglass and resin or worrying about removing the motor again to replace the transom later down the road. I want something that I don't need to worry about.

 

[Huron Angler]

Re: Suggestions on non wood product for transom replacement?

http://www.kingstarboard.com/Products/Starboard.aspx

Have you looked at Starboard? Won't rot and is designed for marine applications. If it weren't so pricy I'd probably use it on my Starcraft transom.

 

[JimbC]

Re: Suggestions on non wood product for transom replacement?

http://nyloboard.com/ Take a look at this. This is what I will be using in my Starcraft instead of wood, fiberglass and resin.

 

[Woodonglass]

Re: Suggestions on non wood product for transom replacement?

I think it would be a good idea to research the tensile strength of these man-made Plastic products before using them as transom material. They MIGHT be ok for decking IF you don't mind the ADDED weight but they usually do NOT have the necessary structural characteristics needed for a transom. i.e NO FLEX!

I'm just sayin...

 

[sasto]

Re: Suggestions on non wood product for transom replacement?

Starboard, like most other poly board, 5200 or any other adhesive or filler you may need will not adhere to it. I am anxious to see something different.

 

[Last Mohican]

Re: Suggestions on non wood product for transom replacement?

How would the poly board hold up against UV breakdown? Even though it may not rot, It may become very brittle when exposed to the elements.

 

[SC's Forever!]

Re: Suggestions on non wood product for transom replacement?

OK, G-1....."Wood is not just as good".........Its BETTER than any of the plastic composites that have been mentioned!!!! Wood is used as a backer for the transom for any number of reasons....Its relatively light weight; Its stiff, so it adds to the strength of the hull, less flexing; Its cheaper than any of the other composite plastics......and also cushions the vibrations of the motor better than anything else.
Since "rot" seems to be your main concern, be assured if properly taken care of, this will not be a job you will need to do again for a long, long time!!!
DO NOT use Treated wood of any kind on an aluminum boat!!!!
Regular AC Exterior grade ply uses the same glue as Marine Ply, only Marine Ply has more(thinner) layers for a given thickness compared to Ext. as well as ALL the layers are void of knots, holes, and other voids whereas Ext. will have some hidden defects though they are small........
I/We all understand your concerns, but I really think your concerns are more or less unfounded.......Regards and Best of luck with your Project!!! Jim