what wood to use???? do i really need marine grade????

[Audiofn]

Polyester has a fairly short shelf life. I would go with vinnylester just a few extra bucks but much stronger!

[c_deezy]

You sure it wasn't a layer of 1/2 inch, then 3/8 inch, then 1/2 inch? That's what came out of mine.

[glassdave]

Originally Posted by regalman4925

lol, no kidding on the itch! duct tape sounds good also! the transom was for sure a layer of 3/4". a layer of mat, a layer of 1/2" another layer of mat and then 3/4" and then fiberglass cloth over that. i am going to try to post pictures sometime this week or maybe put a link to a build thread, i just made a pretty nice dash panel that i kinda want to show off a little! lol

that would be a transom of over 2.5 inches thick with a minimum layup. Thats alot of transom. If you are running a Bravo thats gonna give you a half inch less shaft in the coupler. What is the overall thickness of the existing transom? Not doubting you ability to read a ruler just trying to make sure everything is correct in your project. one other thing wet wood is usually swelled up wood and can appear to be thicker than it was when installed. post pics.

easiest way to get rid of the fiberglass itch is cold shower after you get done grinding. or just keep it off ya to begin with. I buy those cheap six dollar rain suits at Meijers or WalMart, and use them as disposables.

[glassdave]

Originally Posted by OkieTunnel

If you have any questions on what was done call me anytime. The good work i did. The bad work was done by others I am curious how you are going to tackle underneath the deck on the starbird side.
405-733-3388 day
495-359-9793 eve

Its gonna be a great boat for David.

Thanks, I am correcting the bad stuff and continuing on with the good stuff (your stuff ). Re surfacing the dash and tuning it up a bit. The underside of the deck is an interesting part of the project. With the two bulkheads at both ends i am hoping i can dress up the edges and just bag the core and laminates up in there. Plenty of working room in there.

[glassdave]

Originally Posted by c_deezy

You sure it wasn't a layer of 1/2 inch, then 3/8 inch, then 1/2 inch? That's what came out of mine.

that makes more sense and is actually a pretty good schedule for a transom.

[regalman4925]

Originally Posted by Audiofn

Maybe your transom has been replaced prior to this? Maybe it only lasted a couple years........ because they used crappy wood

Seriously it sounds like this is the second time that the transom is getting replaced to me. You really only need the 2 layers of 3/4 IMO. Others may/can comment as well.

Jon

the transom is for sure the original, the boat had molded floors that were all the way to the transom and had filler holdeing it all in, if ie was replaced they did a crazy good job on it! i will double check when i get home but i am pretty sure the transom was almost 2 1/2" thick

[regalman4925]

i just got off of the phone with eliminator which i must say was more helpful then baja/fountain. they said there old boats used 2 pieces of 3/4" and the new ones use a sheet of 3/4" and 2 sheets of 1/2". i cant double check mine until i get home tonight. ther guys name was jose and i was told that eliminator does NOT use marine grade plywood, they use ABX fir in their boats and he said you can use pine or any other type of wood but he thought the fir was just a little bit stronger then the rest. so for all of you people saying marine grade is the only way then i guess you are saying eliminator is doing it wrong..... my buddy here at work who is my partner in crime lol is also doing his transom in is 98 25 outlaw, we thought his was 3/4 and 1/2 inch wood but we have a piece of his in the office and its not quite 3/4" but its bigger then 5/8".

just talked to the lumber stores, one said that they do do not have abx but do have aax which has the well finished sides on both sides, i guess its the same as cdx but has better plys on front and back..... so if i am not worried about the final finish then cdx or the auraucoply, the other place recomended auraucoply which is what i am still thinking since it is very nice quality and is 7 ply.

[c_deezy]

Sounds like you've made up your mind finally...so get to work

I'm a bit surprised a 98 Outlaw needs a transom already, what caused his failure?

[regalman4925]

he 98 outlaw transom we "think" well pretty much are sure was caused from the exhaust hose was not connected very well at some point and water must have been dumping into the wood. it must have been going on for years with the amount of rot we found and he hasnt even had it for a year.

i just measured the transom and the wood, it was 2 1/4" and the glass and filler are exactly 1/2", the wood is 5/8, 3/8, 5/8 making it 1 5/8 of wood. the stuff i am getting only comes in 1/2 and 3/4 so should i do a layer of 3/4 on back to come close to matching the filler on he edges and then 2 layers of 1/2 after that? it will be 1/8 to much but i think the wood is 1/32 thinner then they say so i would only be 1/6 thicker. does this make sense?

no worries, i am out working on it tonight and i will be working on it all week until it is done! hopeing to have the wood cut and started on glassing this weekend!

[rchevelle71]

I would put the 1/2" pieces on the outside with the 3/4 in the middle, but that is just me.