takeadinghy
Recruit
- Joined
- Aug 6, 2010
- Messages
- 2
I am putting in a new transom in a Silver Marine 3-Meter transom inflatable rated at 9.9 HP maximum engine size. I fashioned the new transom from 2 pieces of regular plywood which were first treated thoroughly with ethylene glycol, allowed to dry, and then bonded together with epoxy, and then completely encapsulated in epoxy.(The idea for the E.glycol /epoxy combination was from research on the net---prevention of dry-rot) It wound up being 1-1/8" thick. The original transom, 1-inch thick, was severely dry-rotted, though the boat was made only 3 years ago (7/04/2007). This type of boat construction, by its nature, has the potential of trapping water between the transom and it's pocket--which is what ruined the former 3-year-old transom. Now I'm ready to install it, but have a few questions about 3M 5200 Fast-Cure. Has anyone out there ever replaced a transom in a boat like this with 5200 F-C? (A local, reputable boat store here in Colorado said that's what they would use.) The typically highest humidity here is 30% at best, and 5200 F-C likes to have at least 50% humidity to cure properly. Should I dampen the PVC-to-transom surfaces before applying the adhesive? I am concerned about moisture being introduced into an entrapped pocket and producing it's own threat. I assume that when the 5200 cures it will trap any moisture in the transom boot not needed for it's vapor requirements.On the other hand, I have heard of entrapped 3M 5200 staying uncured for months in certain situations on Jet-Ski applications (from net research into dicussion forums). Apparently the adhesive was in an assembly somehow where it was sequestered from penetration of water for it's complete curing needs. In these instances, apparently the applied thickness of the 5200 prevented it's own curing.......... I just don't want to suddenly see my outboard motor, clamped firmly to transom, suddenly sink to the bottom of a lake--or in tidal shores, because of a failure of the glue. Please advise if you have any frame of reference from similar experience with PVC fabric bonding or direct knowledge of inflatable-transom replacement.
