I've got a busted (tech. term) port transom. Its been patched a couple of times, but by the end of last summer I couldn't keep it from taking in a few gallons or more, some times quite a bit more, every day. What are my options for fixing this? Do I need to take it to a professional or is it possible to patch this myself. I have no idea how I would build this up from the inside out with the gudgeon plate, or how to do it being right on a corner. Pics linked:
Pic 1
Pic 2

I appreciate any suggestions.

-SR

Edit: Its a Prindle 18



edited by: yurdle, Jan 13, 2009 - 02:36 PM

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Rob
OKC
Pile of Nacra parts..
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you could install a access port on the top of your deck to build up the inside of your transom... however, looking at the current repair... and reading your continual problems, why not simply bring it to a boat shop and have them fix it?

Prindle 18?

I would get a fiberglass kit, some screw inserts or nuts, and build up a new piece to install over the existing transom. If you can find a fiberglass fabric supplier, they will have some cloths that will keep that transom stronger than the wal-mart kits.

I have seen in person a cloth that is honeycombed, so the small cells give strength when filled with glass & sealed on the top by a thin layer of cloth. It is an 1/8th inch thick, sold here at a shop in Denver.

I'd sand down what you have, drill out the existing bolt inserts, then work up on top of that. if you cut out any large portions you'll lose the remaining strength back there.

I did a similar repair on the old hobie 18 - just used a fiberglass kit and cut a template to fit the transom
put on two layers of fiberglass sanded and painted - it's still holding strong - take a look at the hobie 18 in the lot for an example

Best of luck
Gordon

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Gordon
Nacra 5.5SL
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I did a transom repair on a buddy's H18. I posted how I did it in the tech section of this site. I wanted to avoid adding a deck port, so I added reinforcement blocks to a flange I left after cutting out the cracked section. It is on its second season now - no cracks, no water in the hull. Rock solid.

Well this is what I did. I sanded the transom down smooth. Then I filled the crack w/ some marine putty/epoxy, and sanded it down smooth. Then I took .250 aluminum plates, and sanded them until they had the slightly convex shape to match the transoms. I took a roll of cork gasket and cut to fit, to add a little cushion between the aluminum and fiberglass.

I'll remove the plates, paint the transoms, then replace them and seal them around the bolts and edges and should be good to go.

The putty sealed up the fiberglass so it should be water tight, and the plates cover a large enough area that they should add more than enough rigidity for the rudders...at least that's my theory anyway.

The pics are terrible as I took them on my phone, but they should get the point across.







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Rob
OKC
Pile of Nacra parts..
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