oak transom

[bbshirleyasher]

How do I fix plank seperation in an oak transom on a 4 year old cat boat sailed in sunny Florida?

[Matt Middleton]

I'm always interested to hear about wood boats in Florida! What design is she built to, and what construction methos was used? And, where in Florida do you sail?

Matt

[Bruce Hooke]

Are you saying that the planking is separating from the transom? If so, you need to figure out why the screws are letting go, but this doesn't sound good...

Or are you saying that the boards that make up the transom have gaps between them? If so, how big are the gaps?

[Hughman]

Four years old!!??....How much separation?

[Noah]

Is this above or below the water line? It sounds like the Oak is drying out, and because they are wide pieces that make up the transom boards their overall shrinkage is enough to cause problems.

Noah

[Bayboat]

More questions: Has the boat just been launched after some time out? Or has she been in the water for several weeks and the transom seams have not taken up? Try putting in some seam compound (oil based, not the stuff that dries hard or acts like rubber}. It sometimes takes quite a while for such seams to take up--more than the bottom or topsides. If after several weeks they are still open, try light caulking with thin cotton and then seam compound. Don't pound the cotton in hard; give the seams a chance to close if they are going to. If one or more of the seams are below the waterline, give them some light caulking now, but don't pound it in hard.

[Mike Field]

....and because no-one else has said it yet, welcome to the Forum. We hope you'll stick around and tell us more about your boat.

[bbshirleyasher]

Catboat is a 4 year old Charles Whittolz design 3/4 stripped planked glass over wood with extensive varnished trim,floorboards etc.sailed off a trailer in Stuart Fl.Seams on oak transom have opened about thikness of a dime or less.Since it is varnished I am not anxious to caulk.Suggestions?

[Bayboat]

If the seams persist on staying open, light caulking won't change their appearance if it is done carefully.
An alternative, if you can get at the seams from the interior, is to batten them. Install a light oak batten over the seam, buttered thickly with bedding compound, with fasteners only on one side of the seam, close to it. This will end the leaks and allow the transom planks to come together if they are going to.