Hello everyone, new to the boards here at iboats.com
I have a 1975 Lund Fibreglass . The transom from either side of the drain hole has a crack in the fibreglass extending almost the entire width on both sides about 2 inches up from the bottom of the hull. When the boat first was in the garage (somewhat heated, cold climate here) the lower 8 inches or so of the transom condensated for a few days. Reading on these boards the cracks could have been caused by the wood freezing and expanding.The cracks have permeated the fibreglass in some areas, the gelcoat as well. I have determined the top 1/3rd of the transom in the middle section has somewhat rotted away , but still supports the 65 horse Johnson with some flexing but nowhere near to the point of the motor falling on the floor.
My plan is to first "V" out the crack pretty much the full depth of the external skin which is 1/4 inch thick, then repair with fibreglass. Second is to remove the top of the transom and determine the extent of rot, remove it and backfill with seacast.
I do have bodywork experience but need to know If my plan will work, should I use repair fibreglass, short or long strand; and do I need to reinforce the repair with entire sheets of fibreglass over the area or will just filling the newly formed "V" void with compound only be strong enough?
Thanks in advance, apologies to the mods here accidental double post yesterday and could not delete.
I have a 1975 Lund Fibreglass . The transom from either side of the drain hole has a crack in the fibreglass extending almost the entire width on both sides about 2 inches up from the bottom of the hull. When the boat first was in the garage (somewhat heated, cold climate here) the lower 8 inches or so of the transom condensated for a few days. Reading on these boards the cracks could have been caused by the wood freezing and expanding.The cracks have permeated the fibreglass in some areas, the gelcoat as well. I have determined the top 1/3rd of the transom in the middle section has somewhat rotted away , but still supports the 65 horse Johnson with some flexing but nowhere near to the point of the motor falling on the floor.
My plan is to first "V" out the crack pretty much the full depth of the external skin which is 1/4 inch thick, then repair with fibreglass. Second is to remove the top of the transom and determine the extent of rot, remove it and backfill with seacast.
I do have bodywork experience but need to know If my plan will work, should I use repair fibreglass, short or long strand; and do I need to reinforce the repair with entire sheets of fibreglass over the area or will just filling the newly formed "V" void with compound only be strong enough?
Thanks in advance, apologies to the mods here accidental double post yesterday and could not delete.