The boat is a 1984 Wellcraft Sportsman 248. It was originally equipped with twin OMC Sea Drive outboards. The installation of these engines require that two openings for each engine be made through the transom. There are some photos on this webpage that show the shape of the openings after a Sea Drive unit is removed. The photos are not of my boat, but the photo accurately portrays the openings I have in my transom.
http://continuouswave.com/whaler/reference/seaDriveConversion.html
Now for the question. What is the proper procedure for filling these openings after removal of the Sea Drive units? I conjecture that the process would entail the following:
1. Preparing some layers of plywood, epoxied together, that are roughly the size of the opening and depth of the existing plywood layers.
2. Removing a thin layer of the material around the inner surace of the opening to remove contaminants and achieve a proper bond.
3. Wrap the plywood fill pieces with some chopped strand and wet out with epoxy. Wet out the inner surfaces of the openings with epoxy as well. Force the plywood fills into the holes so that epoxy and chopped strand ooze out, the voids are completely filled, and the plywood fill pieces are flush with the transom.
4. After curing, layer both inside and outside the transom with some glass mat and epoxy.
5. Fair and gelcoat the outside. Lay more mat over the inside and paint with bilge paint.
I would be most appreciative for any sound advice on how to perform this procedure, or referrals to any literature that describe the proper procedure. Many thanks.
Joe F.
http://continuouswave.com/whaler/reference/seaDriveConversion.html
Now for the question. What is the proper procedure for filling these openings after removal of the Sea Drive units? I conjecture that the process would entail the following:
1. Preparing some layers of plywood, epoxied together, that are roughly the size of the opening and depth of the existing plywood layers.
2. Removing a thin layer of the material around the inner surace of the opening to remove contaminants and achieve a proper bond.
3. Wrap the plywood fill pieces with some chopped strand and wet out with epoxy. Wet out the inner surfaces of the openings with epoxy as well. Force the plywood fills into the holes so that epoxy and chopped strand ooze out, the voids are completely filled, and the plywood fill pieces are flush with the transom.
4. After curing, layer both inside and outside the transom with some glass mat and epoxy.
5. Fair and gelcoat the outside. Lay more mat over the inside and paint with bilge paint.
I would be most appreciative for any sound advice on how to perform this procedure, or referrals to any literature that describe the proper procedure. Many thanks.
Joe F.
