[oldbluesplayer]

dcobbett

overall, the layup plan sounds really good -

I guess my thinking would, if I follow your description correctly:

1- re-building, re-inforcing the inner transom glass to the hull and sides would be a critical component

2- I'm a strong beleiver in knees - a good strong knee from the transom, as high as you can get it, just under the splashwell tub would be good, down to the center stringer, and out along the center stringer about 14" - 16" from the inner face of the transom. When I did mine, I had cut the same hole in the splashwell as you, and I put an extra piece of plywood, bedded in glass and covered by glass, on the inside face of the inner transom glass - this giving me a fresh surface to mount the knee, extra central re-inforcement, and improving the load bearing / load distribution, of the knee.

3- then the outer face of the transom doesn't need to be built up so dramatically - a good, clean layup resulting in +1/4" or more of glass would be fine.

Total transom strength is not the result of any one component, but the sum of all parts - outer face, core, inner face, connection to hull/sides at perimeter, and central supports (knees and-or support from stringers).

Hope that gives you some food for thought.

Bill