Transom Repair

[vafatboy]

After trying several different tools to remove the plywood at the edges a forstner bit wins the day. Tried an Irwin first and it dulled quickly. Picked up a few diablo brand and they lasted much longer.


After getting all the wood out I put in the first layer of plywood. 3/4 marine plywood, thinned epoxy by 5% with acetone and sealed the plywood. Mixed epoxy with colloidal silica to a non sag consistency and trowel it onto the innner skin with a 3/32 notched trowel to bridge any gaps. This mixture was applied to the perimeter joints as well to bridge any gaps. This was clamped or wedged to cure. The transom had taken a set and had a bow in it. I was able to remove it with a C6 channel while clamping along the top.

Next layer was screwed to the first, screws removed and holes filled after cure.

Exiting fiberglass at edges were ground to a bevel and I started applying cloth. First layer is 17oz biaxle, then 10oz plain weave, rinse and repeat.

In this pic I have 4 layers of biax and 4 plain. I have many more to go to layup to the 1/4 inch that was there.