Transom issue

[211libwtfo]

Yea I don't have a roller either I jus wedged it on the cross member and the weight of motor and strap held it well in place. But I also only have ever lived less than a mile to the nearest boat ramp if not a couple blocks.

 

[EchoNovember]

Good link with lots of info!

Okay, going with epoxy resin, but now I have to figure out which one. There are a bazillion different ones out there... My brother has left over fiberglass from his fiberglass boat repair. Thinking about using some of that to further reinforce the transom. Again, I'm going to be towing people and possibly a boat as well.

 

[SHSU]

Okay, going with epoxy resin, but now I have to figure out which one. There are a bazillion different ones out there...

You will find a lot of guys use uscomposites. You can get West System from here on Iboats. Just make sure to use the forum discount.

 

[EchoNovember]

I looked at West System. Too complicated for me at this point, maybe when I learn a bit more. Too many filler and hardener options for me to feel confident that I picked the right ones... If someone can tell me exactly what I need, I'll blindly follow. Lol. Oh, and what is approximate size of your transom? I'm trying to figure out if I need two 4'x8' sheets of plywood, or if I only need one and can cut it in half.

Btw, I'm planning on using the scraps to create reinforcement points for the transom eyes and for tow hooks. Going to create a 3/4" thick wood plate that gives at least 3" on all sides of the bolts for them. I can't stress enough how much I prefer to over engineer when affordable to do so. And again, I might end up towing a disabled boat now and then, so I want to make sure the stress gets spread out so nothing gets ripped out.

 

[EchoNovember]

Yea I don't have a roller either I jus wedged it on the cross member and the weight of motor and strap held it well in place. But I also only have ever lived less than a mile to the nearest boat ramp if not a couple blocks.

The lake we'll be going to most is about 30-45 minutes away, and Minnesota roads can be rough. We'll also be hoping to lakes hours away as well, so I need to make sure the transom saver is solidly set up.

 

[SHSU]

I looked at West System. Too complicated for me at this point, maybe when I learn a bit more. Too many filler and hardener options for me to feel confident that I picked the right ones... If someone can tell me exactly what I need, I'll blindly follow. Lol. Oh, and what is approximate size of your transom? I'm trying to figure out if I need two 4'x8' sheets of plywood, or if I only need one and can cut it in half.

Btw, I'm planning on using the scraps to create reinforcement points for the transom eyes and for tow hooks. Going to create a 3/4" thick wood plate that gives at least 3" on all sides of the bolts for them. I can't stress enough how much I prefer to over engineer when affordable to do so. And again, I might end up towing a disabled boat now and then, so I want to make sure the stress gets spread out so nothing gets ripped out.

You only need the resin and hardener. The fillers are for other things that you shouldn't need just to waterproof the Transom. You will find many people on the forum have just used epoxy with no mat to waterproof their wood. As for the number of sheets, cut out a piece of cardboard to figure out your exact fit (Take into account any extra space need if you fiberglass) and then you will be able to determine if you just need one sheet or not.

 

[EchoNovember]

I haven't taken it out yet. I want to make sure I have all supplies on hand before I do.
I know I'm going to need two 3/4" thick sheets glued together. I just don't want to buy more sheets than needed right now. Even though I know I will use them later, I don't have the storage space.

 

[SHSU]

I haven't taken it out yet. I want to make sure I have all supplies on hand before I do.
I know I'm going to need two 3/4" thick sheets glued together. I just don't want to buy more sheets than needed right now. Even though I know I will use them later, I don't have the storage space.

Are you sure you need two sheets (4x8)? If its like mine, you should be able to rip it down the middle and glue the two pieces together. You would have two sheets of 24 by 96 (no including blade width and such).

JMHO

 

[EchoNovember]

...That's pretty much what I was asking. Lol.

If I only need one sheet, I'm going for marine grade. If I need two sheets, I'm going for exterior grade. I want highest quality possible, but cost is a major factor for us.

 

[EchoNovember]

Oh, and what is approximate size of your transom? I'm trying to figure out if I need two 4'x8' sheets of plywood, or if I only need one and can cut it in half.

I want to get one sheet, rip in half, and glue the halves together, if I can get away with it.

 

[SHSU]

I think most of the guys will indicate that marine grade and exterior grade probably won't have any noticeable difference in strength. Mainly voids/appearance and such in the wood, but for what we are doing don't think it is worth twice the price of exterior grade

 

[211libwtfo]

Do you store your boat 100%. I did so I used the most inexpensive plywood and glued the carpet to it. Once you rip it out it sooo easy to put back. If it's stored inside it'll last awhile. Outside either way not so much

 

[211libwtfo]

Also I got rid of all the water logged foam,obviously and didn't replace it. That boat would jump on plane and fly and sat outta the water very nicely I'd bet it's draft was 12" or less.

 

[EchoNovember]

Do you store your boat 100%. I did so I used the most inexpensive plywood and glued the carpet to it. Once you rip it out it sooo easy to put back. If it's stored inside it'll last awhile. Outside either way not so much

What do you mean store? It sits in the driveway with a cover on when I'm not working on it.

Carpet? On a transom? What did I miss?

For the foam I'll be removing the old stuff when I dive into that project later this year. I am planning on replacing it, though.

 

[211libwtfo]

Ah I thought there was some discussion of replacing the floor My mistake.

 

[EchoNovember]

There is, on my other thread.

 

[EchoNovember]

It's been suggested I use spar and varnish instead of epoxy. Looks like I'm going to have spend more just so I can get epoxy and build the transom as strong as I can.

How much epoxy is needed to coat a 6' x 2' x 1.5" transom? Those are rough measurements. I'm hoping to get away with a quart instead of buying a gallon.

 

[kcon]

I looked at West System. Too complicated for me at this point, maybe when I learn a bit more. Too many filler and hardener options for me to feel confident that I picked the right ones... If someone can tell me exactly what I need, I'll blindly follow.

What you'd need from West System, what worked for my whole build (especially my transom) was:

West System 105 Resin - http://www.westsystem.com/105-epoxy-resin/
West System 205 Fast Hardener - http://www.westsystem.com/205-fast-hardener/
West System 300 Pump System - http://www.westsystem.com/the-105-sy...00-mini-pumps/



With those three products (purchased from wherever) you can easily dispense and mix the West System resin, it's a 1 for 1 pump system, super easy to use (just kinda pricey - stronger than polyester resin though), doesn't get much easier than that! Look up on youtube how to mix/use west system epoxy and there's a wealth of knowledge to be had!

I also used West System 404 filler for creating my "Peanut Butter" and bonding my stringers to my hull, and bonding my transom to the aft - http://www.westsystem.com/404-high-density/



Here's a chart that sort of explains what West System products to use with 105 depending on your application

 

[EchoNovember]

What you'd need from West System, what worked for my whole build (especially my transom) was:

West System 105 Resin - http://www.westsystem.com/105-epoxy-resin/
West System 205 Fast Hardener - http://www.westsystem.com/205-fast-hardener/
West System 300 Pump System - http://www.westsystem.com/the-105-sy...00-mini-pumps/

With those three products (purchased from wherever) you can easily dispense and mix the West System resin, it's a 1 for 1 pump system, super easy to use (just kinda pricey - stronger than polyester resin though), doesn't get much easier than that! Look up on youtube how to mix/use west system epoxy and there's a wealth of knowledge to be had!

I also used West System 404 filler for creating my "Peanut Butter" and bonding my stringers to my hull, and bonding my transom to the aft - http://www.westsystem.com/404-high-density/

I saw that chart before, but wasn't sure what speed hardener I would need, nor what filler as I was under the impression I would NEED the filler.

I have an aluminum boat with an aluminum skinned transom, at least skinned in the splashwell. Do I need to bond the transom to the hull? If not, then if I did, would it add even more strength? I'm starting to think about glass matting it using Kevlar. Lol.

That would be fun, a very heavy but bulletproof Kevlar boat... And a 200 HP motor needed to propel a 16' boat up to 40 MPH... I wonder if it would ever get up on plane, or even float for that matter...

 

[Dabbler_E]

I saw that chart before, but wasn't sure what speed hardener I would need, nor what filler as I was under the impression I would NEED the filler.

I have an aluminum boat with an aluminum skinned transom, at least skinned in the splashwell. Do I need to bond the transom to the hull? If not, then if I did, would it add even more strength? I'm starting to think about glass matting it using Kevlar. Lol.

That would be fun, a very heavy but bulletproof Kevlar boat... And a 200 HP motor needed to propel a 16' boat up to 40 MPH... I wonder if it would ever get up on plane, or even float for that matter...

Use the slow hardener -- you want it to have time to soak into the wood. If you're going to be working in hot weather, use Xslow.
Give it at least 2 coats, 4 on the edges.
No, you don't need filler.
No, you don't need to bond the plywood to the aluminum skin of the transom. It would add more strength, yes, but would mean extreme headaches if you (or whoever owns the boat after you) ever needed to replace the transom wood again.