Plywood for stern

[KurtCT]

I recently acquired a 16' Brockway plywood skiff. The boat has a rotted transom made of (2) pieces of 3/4" plywood glued and nailed together for a 1-1/2" thick transom. I've removed the old transom to use as a template, but would like some feedback as to what type of 3/4" plywood to use to replace this. I'd like to keep the cost to a minimum. The boat will be used as a workboat and for recreational lobstering in Long Island Sound.

[Bob Smalser]

I'd buy Doug Fir Marine Plywood from a reputable source and lam it together using marine epoxy just like the original. After you're lammed the oversize pieces together and cut out the profile from your pattern, any voids in the lams around the edges are easily filled with thickened epoxy and faired flush.

If the transom was glued to the planking as well as fastened, make sure to sand the old glue off the planking before regluing using more epoxy, which sticks well to the usual marine glue residues.

Also make sure your plank ends are good. Rot is contagious. Shortening the boat by a couple inches is better than having to fix it again in a couple years. Last work skiff transom like yours I replaced, I didn't cut off the plank ends until the new transom and knees were in, fastened and all the goo dried. Then trimming off the plank ends with the transom in place as an index was a cinch.

[ 09-20-2005, 09:11 PM: Message edited by: Bob Smalser ]

[L.W. Baxter]

Just a thought... bet you could get three laminates out of a single sheet of 1/2". Might save thirty bucks or so.