I found a spot that needs repair.

[TheWoodCrafter]

While preping the hull for the final primer coat I found that 1 of the splash well drain was loose.
Digging at it, it fell out. Found some rot after cutting part of the inside of the transom out.
I ordered some Seacast. I plan on grinding out anywhere a hole is and filling with Seacast.

http://s251.photobucket.com/albums/gg307/TheWoodCrafter/?action=view&current=P1020001.jpg

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: I found a spot that needs repair.

fiberglass or aluminum hull? can't tell.

 

[TheWoodCrafter]

Re: I found a spot that needs repair.

That is a fiberglass hull.
The rotted area, after I cleaned it out, is about 8" in diameter, roughly.

 

[Solittle]

Re: I found a spot that needs repair.

Do yourself a favor and take a plastic mallet and tap all over the transom. A thud sound indicates rot and a rap sound indicates good wood. Often what you think is a small 8" circle will turn out to be the complete transom, floor and stringers. Best to be sure of what you are draling with before you start.

 

[TheWoodCrafter]

Re: I found a spot that needs repair.

I did that with a hammer. You could here the difference for sure.
Here is a better picture. After cutting the fibeglass skin off the inside of the trans you could see black areas, rot. This spot was the biggest. Some others around any holes in the trans were small. Have you ever used Seacast?

http://s251.photobucket.com/albums/gg307/TheWoodCrafter/?action=view&current=TransHole.jpg

 

[DJ]

Re: I found a spot that needs repair.

Take a look at this.


http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?p=1546933#post1546933

 

[TheWoodCrafter]

Re: I found a spot that needs repair.

Good info. Thanks DJ.

 

[Solittle]

Re: I found a spot that needs repair.

Do a search on anti freeze.

 

[TheWoodCrafter]

Re: I found a spot that needs repair.

I live in Southern California, what do I need with anti freeze?

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: I found a spot that needs repair.

Well automotive coolant (aka anti-freeze.... the green stuff) helps prevent wood rot. Search for it on google as antifreeze wood rot and read the articles.

 

[Solittle]

Re: I found a spot that needs repair.

Wood rot is caused by a fungus. It will continue to spread until removed or killed. Anti freeze kills fungus. One of the articles you may find is by a guy who used anti freeze to kill the fungus in his toe nails.

 

[Robj]

Re: I found a spot that needs repair.

My guess is that the rot expands past the area that you dug out, except the wood has only partially degraded. I would dig a little further. I am a big fan of replacing wood rather than using Seacast. If the area that you are repairing is not solid, you are just wasting your time. Also I must admit that I have never used the stuff so my opion is a little biased. But if you use wood, you know you can't go wrong. Just my $0.02.

Have a great day,

Rob.

 

[TheWoodCrafter]

Re: I found a spot that needs repair.

I plan on taking a die grinder and work the area around the rot until I'm sure I have solid wood.
Seacast to supposed to be harder and stronger than wood. I have never used it. We will see.
On the Seacast website they show how to replace all the wood in a transom. I like the idea of not having any wood to ever rot in a boat.

As for fungus, I don't think it will grow without water or air. I plan on flooding the area with resin while replacing the fiberglass skin. The resin runs like water so it should fill any void.

 

[Robj]

Re: I found a spot that needs repair.

My concern was where the Seacast joins the wood. I do not see how it will be as strong as the original.

Have a great day,

Rob.

 

[TheWoodCrafter]

Re: I found a spot that needs repair.

The area around the hole is pretty chewed up from the die grinder so I hope the bond will be very stong. Then filled with resin and sandwiched with fiberglass I think it should be strong enough, I hope.

 

[cc67]

Re: I found a spot that needs repair.

Check out rotdoctor.com. He has some good products and a lot of information on this subject. I had to deal with some wood rot when I redid my 67 Chris Craft.