Can I save my transom?

[Bill Dickinson]

Help ! Rot has attacked the joint where the planking meets the transom on my 37' strip planked baybuilt. The joint was caulked and then covered with a fine stainless plate that hid the problem. Short of pulling the transom, which I hope to avoid for $ reasons, is it appropriate to just clean out the caulk, remove soft wood, dry, and goop it up with CPES and West? This would basically eliminate the caulk joint and epoxy the transom to the side planking. All rot is well above waterline. - Thanks for any help.

[Thad]

I wonder how the planks are fastened to the transom (in terms of the location of the rot). If the transom has a substantial frame inboard that carries the plank fastenings and the soft spots are outboard of the fastenings then stabilizing and filling will work (it will not maintain the value of the boat but will keep it functional). If the rot impacts the fastening you need to scarf in new plank ends to maintain the integrity of the stern structure.

[Gerald]

http://media5.hypernet.com/ubb/ultimatebb.php?ubb=get_topic;f=1;t=007961
I am not sure that this information will help in your situation? I put a 1/2" skin over my existing transom. The skin is made from 1/2 cove and bead with fiberglass cloth on the back side. I tied the side planks to the new transom with fiberglass tape. When I screwed it onto the old transom I left a small space between the two and then pored the space full of epoxy.
With that in mind ...... you might be able to dig into the transom and the side board, do the repair, and then cover the entire thing the same way I did mine?
There are probably six dozen people here that could tell you how to fix the problem if you posted a picture or gave a little more info as to how far back the rot runs.
Good luck
Gerald Niffenegger

[Gary E]

Bill,

Only you or someone actually looking at the problem can determine if the rot is so bad as to require structural improvement. If the rot has not gone past that point, then drying the wood and treating with Git Rot can stop the spread. If on the other hand it looks as the transom is in danger of falling off, a new transom can be made and installed. I helped a fellow replace such a transom and we completed the project in 2 weekends. Be glad to tell you how should that be your decision.

Edit...
Bill, since you say all the wood below waterline is ok, perhaps additional framing made to increase the size and strength of the transom to side plank connection is all that is required.

G

[ 09-28-2003, 11:20 AM: Message edited by: Gary E ]

[Bill Dickinson]

Thanks for your responses. I took the boat over to Ben Sarles Yard here in Annapolis to be pulled on the railway. Ben also looked at the area of the rot. He pointed out that the transom has been capped with a 1/2 plywood Mahog cap. The planking is frimly fastened to the true transom behind the cap. The only movement i can detect is at the very end of the Mahog cap.

I believe drying, rot killing and west filling will get her back in shape. I will give it a shot next weekend and let you know.

Bill