transom repair advice

[roob76]

Originally Posted by PAR

I usually cut the transom off as you are suggesting. I normally leave as big a flange on the hull as possible, 2" seems a touch on the small side. I remove the outer skin because it saves time and on many boats,

just out of curiousity and to gain knowledge for possible future projects. when you cut out the outer skin do you cut out the sides and bottom leaving say a 3 to 4 inch flange on the sides and bottom or do you leave a flange on the top edge of the transom also?

[tja]

I stand corrected I agree with Par accept for the cutting off of the back of the transom. No mater what always go from the inside. Cutting from the back takes a tremendous amount of strength out of the boat that I don't think that you can get that back buy glassing the old piece back on.

[PAR]

I sometimes cut the top flange to gain access and drop in the new material, but many transoms require it be fitted with pieces, in which case I usually don't cut the deck cap flange. Much depends on how the boat is built, how difficult the inside of the transom is to access, if the deck cap is part of a liner or interior furniture or if there is a separate liner or other structural members needing addressing (the usual case) like stringers or transom knees. It really boils down to how important the inner liner/skin of the transom is, in the structure. Older boats have a very thin skin inside, newer boats have more structure built into the liner. Customers, aesthetics, duplicating details and matching color also play a part determining if I cut the inside or outside of the boat.

Most boats needing a new transom core also have worn out gel coat, have been painted, repowered, soft decks and structural members that also need addressing. Combinations of these issues contribute to the entry point of the saws-all.