Transom question

[gunner76]

In the process of tearing the transom apart and have two questions about the cap.

First- I was planning on putting a heavy layer of 4200 under the cap when I reinstall so it squishes around and seals it up but there is a strip of foam glued to it that is wet. So I remove the foam and go with the plan of using the 4200 to seal the top or dry the foam and still use the 4200 along with it?

Second- since the cap isn't part of the structural rigidity of the hull could I just get by using some JB to cover where I cut it apart?

 

[dingbat]

Transom caps are not notorious for spawning rot. Why not just glad the whole thing and get rid of the cap.

If you like the look of the cap, glass over the transom and glue the cap in place asvdecorative trim

 

[jbcurt00]

Would be helpful to post if its a fiberglass or aluminum boat as they are done differently

 

[gunner76]

Forgot to mention it's an aluminum boat. 2003 crestliner Fishhawk

 

[gunner76]

Got the transom replaced on my boat

Pretty much done with the transom replacement on my 2003 fishhawk, only thing left to do is take it to the weld shop and have them reweld the ends of the transom cap. I used three 5/8" sheets of marine plywood glued together with titebond 3 and sealed with three coats of spar urethane.
it wasn't overly bad but I did have a few hiccups. I had to shorten the new transom board about 2" and taper the ends so I could get it back in without having to further cut into the transom but the area I modified was just overhang anyway so I should be ok.
​​​​ I tried to test for the board before sealing but it fit so tight I knew if I pounded it home I wouldn't get it back out so I skipped that and just prayed all the holes lined up.
when installing I knew there was going to be some rub points at the braces so I covered then with take to try and protect the wood but I still gouged the wood by the time it was in. I recoated those areas as heat as I could get to them and then gooped a bunch of 4200 around those areas and around all the braces so hopefully I'll be ok.

When I went to install the bolts the top row went right in and I was Happy but the entire bottom row and three out of the four motor bolts was off a little. Half were close enough that I was able to pound the bolts through but the other half I had to take the drill and team the holes out a bit. I probably should've resealed the holes first but I put more 4200 on the bolts and drive them in. The ends sealed up really well so I hope I'm ok.

When installing the drains I really slopped the 4200 on because that's where the old wood was the most rotten. I also slathered more 4200 around the ends of the bolts when done, it looks sloppy but water shouldn't get in.

Before installing the top cap I slathered 4200 on top of the wood so when the cap was put on the 4200 oozed out around everything so that should be sealed really good.

I took about five easy days to get it done including cleanup and fixing some sloppy wiring the previous owner had done.

 

[gm280]

Pictures or it didn't happen!

 

[jbcurt00]

Merged the 2 transom topics and modified the title