Pulled one of my gimbals and the transom is in great shape! Do I still replace it?
#1
Registered
Thread Starter
iTrader: (3)
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Sandown, NH - Sebago Lake Region, ME
Posts: 2,960
Likes: 0
Received 7 Likes
on
7 Posts
Pulled one of my gimbals and the transom is in great shape! Do I still replace it?
I am preparing for my TRS to Kaama swap and assumed I would need to replace the transom. Not because of any sings of wet or rot but simply based on what I have read on here regarding these older boats. I removed one of the transom assemblies and I am amazed at how good it looks. It appears the hole has been coated with an epoxy or something. The wood under it is in great shape. I think the previous owner had a transom put in this??
Now the million dollar question, do I replace the transom anyway or just plug the TRS holes and prepare for the Kaama rigging?
As everyone knows replacing a transom is a massive amount of work and don't really want to do it if I don't have to.
Thoughts?
Now the million dollar question, do I replace the transom anyway or just plug the TRS holes and prepare for the Kaama rigging?
As everyone knows replacing a transom is a massive amount of work and don't really want to do it if I don't have to.
Thoughts?
#2
Banned
iTrader: (22)
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: AZ
Posts: 1,014
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Having just completed a transom and stringers, I can completely concur, it's not what most would consider "fun" or "easy". That said, if the transom proves to be solid and rot/water free, I would leave well enough alone. If you want to be sure, drill into the perimeter of the cutouts, and see if the wood is soft dark and moist=BAD news. Or if it's lighter in color solid dry= all good proceed as is. Looks like it was coated, however its aged and cracked, so moisture has likely entered, however might be of little consequence. You can use a moisture meter as well to measure several different locations. Should give you a decent picture of overall soundness.
If you find the wood is good, I would thoroughly prep the cutouts, and coat them (at least 2 coats) of vinyl Ester, unless of course it's a epoxy based layup. This will keep her water free for years to come!
If you find the wood is good, I would thoroughly prep the cutouts, and coat them (at least 2 coats) of vinyl Ester, unless of course it's a epoxy based layup. This will keep her water free for years to come!
Last edited by Borgie; 12-02-2014 at 09:29 AM.
#3
Registered
iTrader: (1)
Transoms are a HUGE amount of work, I am not sure what KAAMA transom cutout looks like but I assume it is different than TRS. At minimum you would have to make aluminum or stainless adapter plates/hole blockoffs, they could double as access panels to the back of the motor and trans also.
#4
Registered
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: Scotch Plains, NJ
Posts: 26
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I would not bother replacing if your happy with the inspection and will feel comfortable on the water. If there is a known issue and everything is out, then it would be a good time for piece of mind. and more solid bite for the new drives. Just my $0.02...
#5
Registered
Thread Starter
iTrader: (3)
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Sandown, NH - Sebago Lake Region, ME
Posts: 2,960
Likes: 0
Received 7 Likes
on
7 Posts
Transoms are a HUGE amount of work, I am not sure what KAAMA transom cutout looks like but I assume it is different than TRS. At minimum you would have to make aluminum or stainless adapter plates/hole blockoffs, they could double as access panels to the back of the motor and trans also.
Thanks
Jim
#7
Registered
Just did the same inspection on my Donzi 22. Removed everything to get a good look at transom and fix gimbal. Transom is solid so I sealed it up some more with epoxy and re-assembled. No need to replace.
#9
Yep. What he said. My grandpa's favorite line was "If it ain't broke, don't fix it".