Transon rebuild

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JasonB

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Ok, I decided to check the transom in my tri-hull Glastron before fishing weater gets here. Goo dthing I did. One corner is rotting badly. The wood around the 85hp V4 seems solid, but whay chance it? I'l already working on getting the hull separated. What supplies will I need? What wood is best?
 
Bondo

Bondo

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Re: Transon rebuild

I used several pieces of P/T plywood... laminated to achieve the required size,+ thickness... people said the P/T can't be glued... Mine is over 4 seasons old,+ Still looks like the day I installed it.... Epoxy Sticks to this stuff like No Tomorrow....
 
JasonJ

JasonJ

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Aug 20, 2001
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Re: Transon rebuild

One thing you should do after you seperate your upper deck from the hull is to measure the distance from the backside of the splashwell to the inner edge of the outer hull fiberglass. When I did this, I found I could increase the transom thickness by 3/8th inch. My original transom wood thickness was only an inch, and they had a 3/8th inch thick piece of ply filling the void between the transom wood and the splashwell.<br /><br />I am using one layer of 3/4 ply (acx) and one layer of 5/8 ply (acx), with a layer of glass between, and glassing the whole thing out to my final thickness. I am using poly resin, but you can use epoxy. Epoxy is more expensive, but you get a better bond. As far as ply, you can use marine, although its expensive, but it has no voids. I am using acx because it will work, although it does have small voids here and there, so I am told. I have heard pressure treated is a no-no, but like Bondo said, some have used it and had good results. Good Luck...
 
C

crab bait

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Re: Transon rebuild

if you use pt ply,, make sure it's DRY..an rite now's the time to buy.. ( been sittin' on a rack at home depot all winter dryin' out ,,waitin' for someone to buy it for a spring project..) if you wait to long,, it'll be new FACTORY FRESH wet stuff... no good..<br /> <br />but pt ply is nasty.. it splits, checks, an twists up like a body pocessed.. <br /><br />there are all kinds of plywood.. cdx to acx.. these are sold at 'home centers'.. an have voids & are primarily made of pine with waterproof glues..<br /><br /> a = best side ..c = fair side.. d = poor side.. x = exterior.. as in glues..<br /><br />voids are bad for the obvious reasons.. but voids also contain 'air' & differential between water an ambient air temp.,, causes condensation inside the void ,, an can rot from the inside out.. especially if ply is pine..<br /><br />there is a happy medium,, between these plywoods an marine plywoods which are very expensive..<br /><br />dougalas fir ab exterior ply.. <br /><br />doug fir ext and marine ply IS THE EXACT SAME THING.. except marine has no voids an the doug fir has some ,,an are are quite small if any..an the 'doug' is half the price of marine ply.. <br /><br />but 'home centers' do not carry it.. must go to a lumber yard..<br /><br />anyhow,, what ever you decide,, don't go with the full thickness in one sheet... always glue (EPOXY) two or more sheets together to obtain the desired thickness.. <br /><br />it's just a WHOLE LOT better an STRONGER that way..
 
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BillP

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Re: Transon rebuild

There IS one difference between exterior and marine...exterior has the plys glued at 90 degree angles and marine has them glued at 45 degrees. Marine is stiffer by a long shot.
 
B

bidlimit

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Mar 1, 2003
Messages
102
Re: Transon rebuild

Check out www.mfg.com. On the right hand side, there is an index and a heading called "transom repair". Under that you will find instructions about how to repair a transom using a epoxy product called Seacast. It is more expensive, but seems to be easier to use and install than plywood. There is also a link to the manufacturer's website on that website under "links". Good luck
 
J

JasonB

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1,455
Re: Transon rebuild

Thanks for all the info guys. I like the seacast, but for my application, I think a more traditional transom will be easier, and, if I do it right, will last longer than the boat will. Also thought about the rot doctor stuff, but I want to strip/repaint the hull anyway, so why not just do it right and be done with it. I already have teh hull ready to split, just have to lift my V4 Johnson off it. My big concern now is resin. I see fg resin and materials at the home supply stores and even at Wal-Mart. Are these acceptible to use? My selection of boat supply sis limited around here, so I'm trying to find other sources. If I can pick up everything I need except the wood at one of the home supplys or retail stores, I'm that much closer to actually chasing some fish this sping.
 
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bidlimit

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Mar 1, 2003
Messages
102
Re: Transon rebuild

I'd say that resin is OK if it is from a reputable company like Bondo. However, you will most likely need more than a gallon of resin and the only quantitiy of resin at Wal Mart or a home center I ever saw was a quart or pint. It would be cost prohibitive to buy four quarts as it would probably add up to more than if you just bought a gallon.
 
C

crab bait

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Feb 5, 2002
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Re: Transon rebuild

i'd only use epoxy..!! especially if'n you laminate the plys together..<br /><br />order it like the rest of us... be at your door in 5 days..<br /><br />us composites .com is a good place<br /><br />i do all my dealin' with clark craft.com<br /><br />they sell a 1 to 1 ratio epoxy at a great price an there's none better than a 1to 1 mix.. bar none.. <br /><br />start with a gallon .. they have more if'n you need it..
 
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