I have a 1979 Carver that was abused by previous owners, who failed to adequately protect various thru-transom holes (for things like a swim deck, transducer cable, etc.). There must be over 30 holes under 1" in diamter, spread across the transom, and I believe many of them have at least some amount of rot. I have verified this by pushing a 16d nail into the wood-core, in various directions. In most cases, it sinks about 2inches, before hitting good wood. In some places, it is worse. I suspect most spots extend between the inner and outer glass skin.
I am also in the process of converting this boat to an outboard, which means I need to fill in the I/O cut-out anyway (which does not have any rot that I can detect by the same method). As I contemplate the conversion, and the existing rot condition, I want to look hard at the extent of rot in the transom before going any further.
I have seen transom repair threads that suggest cutting off the top of the glass cap from the transom, then digging out the bad wood and filling with resin type core. This seems very intensive for this boat (not an outboard already) and for what may be just many small, isolated pockets of rot in my transom (rather than extensive rot throughout).
I was wondering if it would be worth trying to remove the outer fiberglass skin, to access the wood core and visually inspect all the suspected rot-spots from the outside, then dig them out and treat them just like i would the I/O cutout that has to be filled, the re-skin the entire transom, gel-coat, etc.
Any feedback would be most appreciated. I have pics, if desired.
I am also in the process of converting this boat to an outboard, which means I need to fill in the I/O cut-out anyway (which does not have any rot that I can detect by the same method). As I contemplate the conversion, and the existing rot condition, I want to look hard at the extent of rot in the transom before going any further.
I have seen transom repair threads that suggest cutting off the top of the glass cap from the transom, then digging out the bad wood and filling with resin type core. This seems very intensive for this boat (not an outboard already) and for what may be just many small, isolated pockets of rot in my transom (rather than extensive rot throughout).
I was wondering if it would be worth trying to remove the outer fiberglass skin, to access the wood core and visually inspect all the suspected rot-spots from the outside, then dig them out and treat them just like i would the I/O cutout that has to be filled, the re-skin the entire transom, gel-coat, etc.
Any feedback would be most appreciated. I have pics, if desired.
