How To Replace Inboard Transom

[scott11]

I have been working on re4placing the floor and stringers in my 17' wilker lately and figure i may as well do the transom while its all apart. I have done a lot of reading on the site on outboard transom replacement but i cant seem to find as much info on inboard transom replacement. I know that I will be using plywood to replace it but i just dont know if i should go with poly resin or epoxy. If anybody knows of any threads or could kinda give me step-by-step instructions on how to remove and replace everything it would be much appreciated. Also if anybody has any pointers it would be appreciated.

 

[VeroWing]

Re: How To Replace Inboard Transom

Check link below to see good example of solid transom rebuild, as well as stringers, and decking, etc.. Be sure to click next on bottom of each pge to see the next.

http://boatbuildercentral.com/howto/aquasport/index.php


Also check the forum area there. It is strictly a forum on boat building and repairing. There are many DIY boatowners there that have done the repair you are about to do. Lots of good advice there. I got most of my info there on rebuilding my transom, which is an outboard model.

http://forums.bateau2.com/viewtopic.php?f=10&t=19949

Most of the steps used on my transom rebuild will be the same on yours. Since you are rebuilding your stringers and decking, have you already removed engine and outdrive? Without seeing any pics, I'm sure they will block access if working from the inside.

It is a fact that epoxy resin is superior in strength and endurance to poly resins. It is also impervious to water intrusion forever. Some people use poly resins for the cost factor. On my transom rebuild, I used marinepoxy, and would not consider using anything less. To me it was too much work to not use the best available material. My opinion.

Best thing to do is take plenty of pics and post them up here so members can look at your boats layout, then offer you some sound advise. Lots of talent here. Get some opinions, then choose what you feel works best for you. Mike

 

[scott11]

Re: How To Replace Inboard Transom

I havent got the motor and outdrive off the boat yet but i plan on getting started on that over the rest of the weekend. I looked up that marinepoxy and it seems to be a lot more reasonably priced compared to west systems or MAS. Since i will probably need over 10 gallons of epoxy I would like to stick wiht a cheaper brand. Does anybody else know of cheaper brands i can get in canada? I will post a bunch of pictures tomorrow showing my style of transom and the layout of my deck and stringers.

 

[ondarvr]

Re: How To Replace Inboard Transom

There's no difference in what you're doing and the many other wood replacement projects here, yours being an inboard makes no difference in what needs to be done.

As far as the resin, it won't make a real difference in the final product with either one. How long it lasts will have more to do with the quality of workmanship than the resin used.

 

[HVAC Cruiser]

Re: How To Replace Inboard Transom

Welcome to iboats and good luck with your project. You will find, as I did a great bunch of folks that are always willing to help guid you through performming a proper repair.

With whichever you choose poly or epoxy, keep in mind that if you use epoxy in areas that have to be finished you will not be able to Gelcoat over it, you will have to repaint. You can only Gelcoat over polyester resins. In addition, you can use epoxy over poly but not poly over epoxy. Gelcoat is poly and thats why you won't be able to use it.

Personally I used epoxy on my project, being a newbee it gave me a longer working time to fix my Boo-boo's in my CSM, 1708, and roven woven before it was to late.

 

[scott11]

Re: How To Replace Inboard Transom

I think i will be going with epoxy. I spent hours upon hours reading up in this and it just seems like epoxy is the better way to go. I wont have to worry about the gelcoat problem since my transom is just 2- 1/2'' peices of plywood fiberglassed to the inside of the boats shell. I am gonna go out and take some pictures in a bit to give you guys a better idea. I was hoping to maybe pull the engine today or attept to anyways but its only about 5 degrees celcius outside right now. If this weather keeps up i am gonna have to put the project on hold until i get off my rear and go get a coverall to work under.

 

[Bondo]

Re: How To Replace Inboard Transom

I wont have to worry about the gelcoat problem since my transom is just 2- 1/2'' peices of plywood fiberglassed to the inside of the boats shell.

Ayuh,... I'm guessing you have an OMC Stringer drive,..??
As every other I/O uses a 2" transom....

 

[scott11]

Re: How To Replace Inboard Transom

Ayuh,... I'm guessing you have an OMC Stringer drive,..??
As every other I/O uses a 2" transom....

You are actually probably right on that bond-o about the 2''. I havent gotten it ripped out yet, i just noticed yesterday that it was spongy in a few spots. My motor is a 140 mercruiser

 

[scott11]

Re: How To Replace Inboard Transom

Ok got some pictures of the transom from the inside and outside. You can see in pic 1 and 2 how the transom wood ends about an inch or 2 below where the foam starts. If i was to gut that foam i would have about 8 inches from the top to the transom