A rotten transom can compromise the integrity of your boat. It can also cause significant damage to your engine and stern drive. Check for rot by tapping the area. Voids under the skin will sound flat or dull compared to the resonant sound of solid laminate. Also, excessive motor movement can indicate transom rot.
When a transom becomes damaged, it is important to repair it promptly to avoid costly repairs and potential safety issues. Boat repair includes regularly inspecting the area for signs of rot and taking action to address any problems as soon as they arise. It is also important to properly seal all penetrations in the transom, such as the motor mounting bolts, to prevent water from entering and causing damage.
The boat transom is one of the most crucial parts of a boat. It connects the aft portion of the hull’s port and starboard sections and absorbs the engine force on powerboats while transmitting the power distribution to the rest of the hull. Moreover, a well-functioning transom improves the durability of the whole boat. However, it is vulnerable to damages for various reasons, such as hitting anything in the water at high speed and running aground. Therefore, the owners need to examine and maintain their transoms regularly.
The first step in repairing a rotted transom is removing the old plywood core from the fiberglass outside skin of the transom. A reciprocating saw, grinder, hammer and chisel or flat prybar can be used to remove the old core. However, care must be taken not to damage the fiberglass outer skin of the transom.
Once the old plywood and bonding putty are removed, make a template for the new plywood transom core. A good idea is to use a piece of cardboard or cheap plywood. It is also a good idea to take measurements of the fiberglass thickness of the outside transom skin and the plywood layer underneath. You will need this information later when making the template for the new inside transom skin.
Next, it is necessary to resurface the transom with either epoxy or polyester resin. Epoxy is recommended because it offers better resistance and strength than polyester resin. It is also a bit easier to work with than polyester resin and gelcoat.
After resurfacing the new surface, it is important to clean the area thoroughly. This ensures that the new epoxy or polyester has the best chance of adhering to the old rotten transom. This step is also a good time to evaluate the condition of the stringers and determine if any are rotting. If the stringers are rotting, treating them with CPES or Layup & Laminating Resin is recommended.
Installing transom support on the boat is recommended to avoid any stress or engine forces on the weakened or damaged part of the transom. This will also prevent bowing or deformation over time. It is a great way to prolong the life of your boat and protect it from serious damage in the future.
The boat transom is vital to a vessel’s structure and operation. It supports the motor and provides a smooth flow of water around the boat, which helps reduce drag and improve performance. The transom also features drainage holes or scuppers that prevent water from building up in the hull and causing damage or instability. Proper care and maintenance of the boat transom is essential to ensure its longevity and functionality.
There are a number of steps that need to be taken to correctly replace a boat transom, including removing all hardware and components attached to the old transom and preparing the hull for the new transom. Once the old transom has been removed, the hull needs to be cleaned and sanded to prepare it for the installation of the new transom. The sanding should be done using 80-grit sandpaper to remove any rough spots and create a smooth surface that will allow the new transom to bond with the hull.
Once the hull has been prepared, it is time to install the new transom. First, the new transom must be cut to fit the hole in the hull. It is important to use marine-grade plywood when cutting the new transom to ensure it will be strong and durable. After the new transom is in place, it is important to reinstall any hardware and components that were removed earlier, such as the motor, trim tabs, and swim platform.
If the boat is equipped with wood stringer extensions, they must be tabbed to the new transom core using epoxy and 1708 biaxial fiberglass tape. This is a much stronger material than traditional woven fiberglass tape and wets out easily, which makes it easier to work with when tabbing.
A well-built boat transom is a very important part of your vessel. It ties a lot of the structure together and provides an anchor point for your motor mount, various ladders, consoles, trolling motors etc. In addition, the transom is designed to support the force created by the running of your engine when it is in operation. This is why it is important to have a good quality transom that can handle the stress of transferring the torque from the motor casing itself through the mounted hardware and into the boat.
A good quality transom is also going to be a strong and resilient structure that can absorb flex and vibration that could otherwise be transmitted through the hull. This is important because it prevents the transferred vibration and flex from damaging other areas of your boat.
Depending on the type of boat you own, there may be several ways to construct your new transom. In most cases, the transom will consist of a wood core that is then sandwiched with fiberglass and epoxy. The core can be made of plywood, fir or any other type of lumber that will provide the required strength for the application. If you choose to use a fiberglass core, it is essential to ensure that it will be compatible with the type of resin that you are using in your build. The last thing you want is to have to go back and redo your transom because the epoxy used did not work with the rest of your laminate schedule.
The first step in the process of building a new transom is to take measurements. Measure the thickness of the fiberglass on the outside of the transom as well as the thickness of the plywood inside the transom. These measurements will serve as a guide when it comes time to install the new transom.
After measuring, you will need to re-drill the holes in the old transom to allow water and air to escape. You will also need to drill a drain hole in the bottom of the transom. Once you have drilled the holes, treat the gutted area and surrounding wood with CPES(tm). Simply pour or spray the CPES(tm) onto the surface of the wood. Allow the CPES(tm) to penetrate and dry for about a week, then close the hole in the bottom of the transom with our Fill-It(tm) epoxy filler.
A boat transom is often one of the first parts of the hull to rot. It is also a part that is under the most stress from the motor’s movement. The stresses on the transom can cause cracks, a weakening of the plywood and eventually water leaks. This is why it is important to know how to care for and repair a transom properly.
When a transom becomes damaged, the first step is to gain access to the inside of the hull and to remove any bad wood. Then the transom needs to be dried out as much as possible. Epoxies will not penetrate wet wood well. A watercraft repairing professional may use a densitometer or an engineering hammer to help determine the strength of the transom. However, a less expensive method is to hammer tap the suspected area of delamination, intently listening for a resonant sound versus a flat or dull one.
After all the old wood is removed, a template should be made of the old inside transom skin. This will be used to make the new inside transom core. Once the new core is cut, it should be treated with CPES (Chemical Preservative Emulsion Surface System). It must be allowed to dry completely before being used. Then all the gaps should be filled with either epoxy filler or a putty mix of Layup and Laminating Resin (L&L). It is important that all the corners of the gap are rounded with a radius. Fiberglass and angles do not fare well together.
Then the hardware from the old transom should be reinstalled. It is always a good idea to use stainless steel bolts and washers to reduce the likelihood of corrosion. Before reinstalling the engine bolt, it is recommended to run a bead of 5200 around the base of the bolt, working it into the wood fibers. This will ensure that the bolt will not pull out and cause a leak.
Another thing to consider is replacing the trim tab screw and plate. The trim tab allows the boat operator to adjust the amount of lift or down trim that is provided by the outboard motor while underway. A trim tab that is damaged can result in poor fuel efficiency and an unstable boat at speed.
