Transom rot

[SavinRaven]

Simple----Don't use wood !-----Wood is used because it is cheap / easy to work with.------I helped rebuild a 25' sailboat that was assembled with cheap materials at the factory 40 years ago.------Was a leaker due to porous fiberglass.----Now I believe it is the strongest hull out there and has not leaked or shown signs of stress in the last 10 years.---No wood went back in under the floor.--Sails just wonderful in 5' to 6' waves.

You can undoubtedly use wood...
I've always questioned this line of thinking..
Sure synthetic materials such as coosa are far superior products however these boats that used "wood" sometimes not even encapsulated in fiberglass and epoxy are after 40-60 years just now deteriorating is not bad life out of it.

When it comes down to it no one has had a boat made from coosa or any other synthetic product for 40-60 years yet and we dont know how over time these materials will wear down either. Same as PEX piping in homes. (I upgraded my own home) but in 40 years I could see there being issues... just like lead paint... Many examples of this...

My thinking is I wont be around in 40-60 years so what do I care that someone else is going to have nearly a 120 year old boat made from coosa complaining that I used coosa. Same guy would complain that I used wood.. At the end of the day its there boat now they can replace it with never wearing out matter that doesnt exist yet in 40-60 years from now...

My point is wood is fine your craftsman ship of how its installed is what makes the biggest difference.

Save your self the money and get some more life out of an already dead boat learn some stuff in the process. If you want to go all out thats fine to.. In this boat that you have I would never invest that type of money into it. Choose the type of wood that you use carefully. you want marine grade lumber at minimum but there are also other plywoods that grade out with little to no voids in them the voids in plywood is what captures moisture and creates rot. You want a plywood with as few voids as possible easiest way to determine that is to just go marine grade but there are other types out there as well.

 

[racerone]

I have sailed on a wooden vessel.( Vic Carpenter built ) sailboat.---That boat is now about 50 years old and a friend owns one as well.-----Never had a permanent bilge pump installed !--When properly done wood is good.----I am using composite material and that is that.-------

 

[Jmusick]

Old transom is completely removed just need to get in there and sand it down a bit,
but just about ready to start putting back together

 

[88 Capri (2022 SOTY)]

Nice job! You need make sure you get the fiberglass clean! You need it that way to get the best adhesion.

 

[Jmusick]

Yea im gunna go at it with a sand paper block and acitone before i reinstall. Last thing i want is the back of my boat coming off in the middle of the lake

 

[jbcurt00]

Here's the handy how to thats 1 of the links posted as a sticky at the top of the forum

1961 Lonestar Flamingo - SPLASHED w/Pics

Re: 1962 Lonestar "Flamingo" - I finally Started w/pics Re: 1962 Lonestar "Flamingo" - I finally Started w/pics Heal........ 1st Play......... 2nd Work............................................................. When you just gotta. Hope you get feeling better soon. Meds and rest is the...

forums.iboats.com

I prefer to replace transoms from the inside, more work but hides all the glass work under the splash well and is held captive by the original shape of the transoms exterior skin. Way past that now.

Take a look around lots of helpful info for the taking

 

[Jmusick]

I wanted to redo the transom skin anyways. There were probably close to 50 hole scattered all over the back of the boat, from multiple speed sensors and past steering components various motor positions and set ups ect. With the work im already putting into it, it just didnt make sense to keep all those weak point. As i got into it the inner skin also fell apart from basically becoming swiss cheese, so ill be reglassing both sides anyway

 

[KJM]

Yea im gunna go at it with a sand paper block and acitone before i reinstall. Last thing i want is the back of my boat coming off in the middle of the lake

Yeah, thats never good!