I have replaced the transom in my boat,now their is a small void,?

Question

between the new transom and the side walls and the floor, should I fill this void with some structural filler ? I am going to overlay the transom with 2 layers of 1 1/2 oz Mat and 8 in wide strips of 24 oz Woven Roving around the edges.

a stupid question is better then a re doo

Answer 1

Yes, absolutely fill the void. If using epoxy...do not use any chop strand matt...epoxy cannot disolve the binders in the matt which keeps it in a sheet...only polyester or vinylester can do this. With epoxy...anything but chopped strand matt will work...unless you chop your own from oriented cloth...then it's okay...no binders.

Good luck.

Answer 2

I did the same thing and used some filler mixed with epoxy resin to fill any cracks between the transom and the sidewalls and bottom, then used glass tape with epoxy resin as you have said.   Worked well.

If you used plywood for your transom, make sure you seal the end grain well with epoxy resin.

Answer 3

Just wanted to comment on the above comment about not using epoxy resin.  I don't understand that point at all.  I've used both polyester and epoxy and the main reason I use epoxy more and more is that it binds so well with with wood bulkheads and other structural features so much better than polyester resins do.  It also binds well to old fiberglass hulls.

Answer 4

Do not use epoxy as polyester resin will not adhere to it> Fiber with polyester resin will work fine>Woven Roving will not mold around the corners use 1/12 on all> Unless it's flat with no turns>

Answer 5

Fill the voids with poly resin mixed with resin. When you lay the glass on the transom make sure you run up the sides of the hull about 6-8" overlapping the layers. Be careful on the transition from transom to the hull, glass does not like to make sharp corners.