Tore the transom ...how to repair? (pics)

[BillaVista]

Re: Tore the transom ...how to repair? (pics)

Things don't look too, too bad...yet!. How easily a cursory look can deceive!

Uh-Oh...what's this in the back corner, I mean port aft corner?

 

[BillaVista]

Re: Tore the transom ...how to repair? (pics)

So off come those back corner aluminum pieces (that house the styrofoam):

 

[BillaVista]

Re: Tore the transom ...how to repair? (pics)

WAIT A MINUTE!!!...What the heck is that!! Is it...could it be...YES - it's a sponge! What in the name of Poseidon?? Who puts a sponge in a boat..two, actually...a sponge...a thing designed specifically to hold several times its own weight in water...good grief!

So back comes the carpet and sure enough the floor is a soggy mess.

 

[BillaVista]

Re: Tore the transom ...how to repair? (pics)

Here is some of the styrofoam that came out.

QUESTION: Is this re-useable or should I replace it? It doesn;t seem waterlogged, but is a bit ratty. If replace...should I replace with same or is there something newer / better these days?

 

[BillaVista]

Re: Tore the transom ...how to repair? (pics)

Engine came off pretty easily using the ol' shop engine crane and a few straps. Had the boy holding the nust from inside and wifey ready on the jack and I removed the bolts. Then we lifted and swung it clear. Hardest part was getting the steering cable / rod out as we swung the motor clear. Doesn't take much to bind it up.

Motor off the transom (for the first time in a long while by the looks of it to me)

 

[SigSaurP229]

Re: Tore the transom ...how to repair? (pics)

I can't think of anyone that has reused the old foam.

I think the general consensus on the board is to go with the pink or blue closed cell foam insulation sheet from either Lowe's or Home Depot.

Then there are some that use pool noodles though that will cause a huge debate.

Then if you want the Mercedes of resto jobs then use the pour in styrofoam.


Congrats on beating the denial stage and starting your full restoration.

The board on the back of the transom really doesn't do anything feel free to eliminate it when you do the resto.

 

[BillaVista]

Re: Tore the transom ...how to repair? (pics)

Pics of the rotten transom from the outside / splashwell.

You can clearly see the "3-piece" design. Doesn't seem like a great idea to me. I plan to make the replacement one-piece. Clearly the port side is the worst, but the starboard is no screaming goodness either. Looks to me like water ingress was primarily from the top down on the sides, but I'm no expert at these things.

What do the experts think? Likely source of the worst leaking? (I should mention, it would draw water in just sitting at the dock overnight - maybe a gallon or so)

 

[BillaVista]

Re: Tore the transom ...how to repair? (pics)

As far as I got on the inside. All the screws are out now.

 

[BillaVista]

Re: Tore the transom ...how to repair? (pics)

Got the top transom corners out OK...


Port

Starboard

I dunno - they don't look too bad...might just dry them out, pour on some shoe goop and reinstall them...
























NOT!!

Thanks for all the help and encouragement so far!

 

[SigSaurP229]

Re: Tore the transom ...how to repair? (pics)

Most everyone here eliminates the three piece transom design as well and goes back with one singular piece of transom goodness.

 

[GA_Boater]

Re: Tore the transom ...how to repair? (pics)

The three piece transom is OK, but a one piece is a lot stronger. I imagine the added top chunk contributed to the pulled transom. Have you tried moving the main chunk up yet?

You were asking about what can cause rot like this. If the wood isn't well protected the exposed parts tend to rot after a while. Add water seeping between the wood and splashwell and being trapped in the S/W flange, a good rot starting point. Your under S/W pics show where the water ran. BTW - Starcraft does nothing, or did nothing to treat/protect the wood.

 

[BillaVista]

Re: Tore the transom ...how to repair? (pics)

Some little creature made a nest in some of the styrofoam:

 

[BillaVista]

Re: Tore the transom ...how to repair? (pics)

Final progress pics of the day.

Obviously the aft section of the floor must be replaced:

And it's a disaster under the floor...and another big nest

 

[BillaVista]

Re: Tore the transom ...how to repair? (pics)

But the bow looks good, nice and dry. So it's going to stay.

What's less clear is the middle section. It looks like it might dry up OK. But on the other hand, maybe it should come out and the foam underneath be inspected?

Opinions welcome.

That's it for day #1!

So, a recap on my questions on the day:

1) Is there any trick to removing the little drainage tubes at the top of the splashwell that go through the transom?

2) The marvelous red "carpet" on the floor...my wife adores it (adores the whole boat, especially the '70s interior) and it is after-all her boat (40th birthday present from me this year) is replacement available anywhere? It would have to be the same wonderful red?

3) What exactly do I use to glue the plywood together for the transom? I have real "LP" a lot, but LePage make many different kinds of LP. Can I just park my truck tire on it for clamping? I don't really like idea of screws...seems counter-productive to pay for marine plywood that has no voids and the put a bunch of voids in it, no?

5) What should I use use on the seams and between the transom and aluminum?

7) What is likely culprit for so much wet / rot at the back corners / edges of the transom?

8) Where to put the tubing tow points? Will they be ok back in the :stock: location, with a new transom?

9) I Plan to add a fish finder transducer and some trim tabs...anything I should do while I'm doing the transom R&R (like maybe insert some stainless nut-certs in the transom?)

10) Anything else I really must do "while it is all apart?"

 

[GA_Boater]

Re: Tore the transom ...how to repair? (pics)

#1 - hammer and punch or screwdriver. Beat the inside flange until the drain tube is loose and pull it out. Replacement tubes are cheap.

#2 - Aqua Turf Boat Carpet - 6 Feet Wide - "Cardinal Red" Might be an exact match, There are other carpet suppliers.

#3 - Gorilla glue, PL Premium and maybe some others

#4 - You skipped #4. :lol:

#5 - 3M5200 sealant

#6 - Oops, skipped #6 too.

#7 - What I said in post 31. Water leaks past the splashwell flange.

#8 - Yes, just don't put the port eye anywhere up high like you did. The original is most likely under the kicker bracket. Starboard eye was fine.

#9 - No prep needed. You have to seal when you mount the xducer, so wait until then.

#10 - Leak test and Gluvit or Coat-It to seal the seams and rivets. Even if it's not leaking (you said some water was getting in) it's good insurance.

I think that's it. .................................For now.

 

[jbcurt00]

Re: Tore the transom ...how to repair? (pics)

#3a: TiteBond3 is water cleanup, water-proof when dry
#3b: Find a good flat surface & clamp/weight the transom 1/2's together until dry. Any screws you use to 'clamp' it together can be removed & the holes filled prior to sealing it. Don't use your truck's weight. It may 'over' clamp 1 area & starve the lamination of glue, possibly even cup the transom.

#6: The transom ply sits in the channel that runs from chine to chine. Trim tabs & the transducer mounts may not be into the transom plywood:

 

[jigngrub]

Re: Tore the transom ...how to repair? (pics)

http://www.billavista.com/dump/Transom/Day-1/part2/Starcraft-2013-Jul-08-5666.jpg[/IMG]


What's less clear is the middle section. It looks like it might dry up OK. But on the other hand, maybe it should come out and the foam underneath be inspected?

10) Anything else I really must do "while it is all apart?"

I would lift all of the decking and remove all of the white beaded styrofoam (and rat nests), you can see how that stuff is breaking down with age and the little white beads are getting all over the place. The pink or blue polystyrene sheet foam is a much better material.

You should also inspect the bottom of the mid and fore pieces of decking, just because they look good on the top doesn't mean they'll look good on the bottom. If the mid piece of decking is wet, I'd replace it. You'll want all of your decking bone dry when you seal it so it'll absord the maximum amount of sealer, and you don't want to to seal moisture into your decking.

The amount of floatation foam installed in your boat at the factory is the bare minimum, you can do a better job and fit a lot more in there... just remember to leave room for drainage down the center.

 

[dozerII]

Re: Tore the transom ...how to repair? (pics)

Wow that was a quick tear down BV. We don't have quite as many places and choices for restore products up here in Canada. My choice for wood is G1S fir plywood. Spar varnish (4 good coats on the flats, hit the edges with each coat for double the protection). Gluvit is a little tough to come by up here as well. PM me and I can give to a list of great supplies in your neck of the woods for carpet, gluvit and acc's.

 

[BillaVista]

Re: Tore the transom ...how to repair? (pics)

My kids tube alot and water ski. This is what I did to mine to reinforce the transom.

Mount the hooks down lower basically in the meat of the transom.

Basically it is a piece of quarter inch thick stainless steel, they are about 3 1/2 inches in diameter. I am pretty sure I could hang my entire boat from these things and they wouldn't budge.

Excellent idea - I'm going to use that!
Thanks!

 

[GA_Boater]

Re: Tore the transom ...how to repair? (pics)

BV - You're kinda in for a penny, in for a pound at this point. You might as well yank up the rest of the floor and de-mouse the whole boat. If they got into the back, they kinda had the run of the thing. Then you can do a leak check/reseal and put in all new decking/flotation foam. It's also a chance to clear the limber holes. The styro beads plug those when it starts to deteriorate and causes the poor drainage back to the bilge.