Transom Repair
 

Hey guys, I am refurbishing a 1978 Master Angler. The wood in the transom was like peat moss. All of has been removed from the inside including the inner skin. I have the deck off (embedding epoxy was a bitch!) and the top cap off.I am at the point where I am going to buy the fiberglass and the resin to start laminating. I am going with 1/4 plywood (5 sheets)to build up an 1.5 inch transom to 25 inches in height. I cut the plywood over the weekend. Would you guys recommend epoxy resin (West Systems) or a polyester or vinyl lester resin. How about the fiberglass between the plywood sheets - biaxel or roving? Any help is much appreciated.

Re: Transom Repair
 

use epoxy, it is more impervious to water absorbtion.
Put a layer or two of Biax on the inside of existing transom skin, Wet each layer of ply and fixture them together while curing. Bed & clamp that asssembly into the transom skin with woodflour and epoxy mixture , and filet with a nice radius. The glass between the sheets won't have much effect,instead put those layers on the core you just built, cut the layers about 12-16 longer on the hull sides and bottom so that you can tape that into the hull & sides that will help to unitize the hull sides, bottom and transom.

Re: Transom Repair
 

Thanks for the help. I'm just waiting for the first day here in NJ when the air temp gets above 60 degrees. On that day I start the transom work. I believe I may have to cut the stringers back a 1/2 inch to allow me to fit in the plywood. Any advice on that. I'm a bit nervous about messing around with the stringers. :)