I'm liking this idea.

Which would be better, glass or epoxy?
Is there a certain brand I should be looking for?

I used Life Seal on my gimble housings when mounting them to the transom. Worked well.

In regards to 4200 vs 5200, if just sealing the bolt holes, I'd go with 5200. If I decide to seal the entire plate, I think I'll use 4200.

just some info,

marine formula Debond removes 5200 very easily if you needed to.

I would use West Systems six10. Very easy to work with. Already thickened and comes in a tube with a mixing tip.

This link from Yachtforums has a good description on a good way to do it.

http://yachtforums.com/threads/repai...vigator.26090/

Drying time on 4200 is much quicker. So if you want to splash the boat in a day or 2 go with it.

Chris

you can buy 4200 and 5200 - 2 ways standard or fast cure

On my custom 28' Cigarette Racing Team center console every hole in the new transom is sleeved with an epoxy/glass tube with the appropriate ID for the bolt and then a hole is drilled to match the OD of the tube and it is epoxied in the hole with thickened resin. The result is that the transom core is totally sealed from possible water intrusion, and the epoxy/glass tube reinforces the transom and prevents the transom crushing down as the bolts are tightened. I is easy to make up the tubes on a dowel wrapped with Saran wrap. If I need 10 tubes I make one tube ten times the transom thickness in length. I have always done it this way and never had a problem.

Thx for all the replies guys!

I got a tube of the West Sys six10 on the way. Also ordered some 5200 and 4200.
I'll plan on using the epoxy as Black Baja recommended.
Then, seal the bolt holes with 5200 inside and out and use 4200 under the plate itself.
I believe this will be provide the best compromise between protection vs serviceability.

I have heard abt folks ripping the gelcoat off when trying to removing large pieces that were attached with 5200.
Obviously, they were simply using the brute strength method of disassembly

How much oversize should the holes be drilled in the transom?
I'm assuming abt 1/4", so I would wind up with a 1/8" wall thickness with the epoxy insert.

Any tips on drilling the holes? I've heard abt using masking tape to help prevent chipping of the gelcoat.
All my drill bits are for metal so I'll need to purchase a couple of bits for this project. Would a 118 point angle be optimum for this application?

We have a short boating season and I hate being down for repairs, so overkill everything. I have been told that this is ridiculous, but this is what I do, and I don't have leaks.


http://s1126.photobucket.com/user/jp...tml?sort=3&o=0

Lots of good ideas out there.

Best advice, do this and you'll never have a problem.