Transom Help!

This is my second post and again, I am amazed at the wealth of info here. So, if this has been addressed elsewhere and someone can point me in the right direction. As I noted in my first post, I got my hands on a drift boat restoration project. The boat is in better shape than I thought, bottom is in great shape, chine, gunwales, etc. all fine. The problem is the transom. It is pretty ugly.

This boat is fiberglassed on the outside. Came that way and with things in good shape, I'm looking for some advice on how best to handle this transom in the least invasive way. It is pretty rotted well through. . .Looks like from the position of the anchor bouncing against it over the years. Then the previous owner just covered with a piece of ply wood screwed in on the outside, leading to more rot. .

Anyway, is there a good way to fix this without having to replace teh whole transom? If not, what is the best way to handle this?

Here are two pics for your viewing pleasure.

This is the inside of the transom, you can see rot all the way through! Yuck!

I am honestly not sure what is going on at the bottom of the inside of the transom with the curved wood cut in. .


Thanks, in advance!

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Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Lawrence E. Long on May 20, 2012 at 3:25am

Sam: From the looks of it my suggestion would be to replace the whole transom.  Make new frames and install them just a 1/4" or so ahead of the existing frames while keeping the rotted transom in place for stability.  After all glued/screwed in place cut away the old transom and install a new one.  The boat will be an inch or so shorter- no problem.  Either FG the transom or paint it, install a UHMW "bang plate" and go fishing.  Others may have better suggestions as I  have no great experience on restorations.

Good luck

Permalink Reply by Rick Newman on May 20, 2012 at 8:11am

Sam, I think Lawrence's idea is smashing. By retaining the old transom until the new one is in place you won't have to worry about your boat changing shape. The UHMW bang plate will keep the damage from occurring again. Good luck.

Rick Newman

Permalink Reply by Sam Snyder on May 20, 2012 at 2:24pm

Thanks for the tips. This makes sense and was the direction I was leaning, but wanted some expert advice before heading down that road! I will post updates when I get it fixed up.

sam

Permalink Reply by Rick Newman on May 21, 2012 at 5:09pm

Sam, here's an idea for a bang plate that was at the recent Wooden Boat Festival.

Rick Newman

Permalink Reply by Sam Snyder on May 21, 2012 at 11:02pm

That is fantastic! Thanks for sharing. I like the idea of the bang plate, but you've added a whole new dimension to it.

Permalink Reply by Rick Newman on May 22, 2012 at 6:48am

I am simply the messenger not the originator! I thought it was pretty cool myself. It will be interesting to see what you come up with.

Rick

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