Transom Work

[Mark Sr]

Does anyone know how to fiberglass a hole as large as one from an old OMC outdrive.Is it a lot of work? Has anyone converted from an OMC outdrive to switch over to an Mercruiser or patched up the hole and converted to an outboard? Help greatly appreciated.

[JimCt]

Hey Mark...

Take a browse through the rebuilds section at www.classicmako.com.  There are a lot of pictures & running commentary about transom work.

[Mark Sr]

Thanks Jim, have you any idea on what type of power you are going with?
Have you started anything yet?

[JimCt]

Boat will be delivered Saturday & put up un blocks.  While on blocks the bottom paint will be stripped.  Doing that little chore on the trailer would be a bi*ch!  Trailer I picked up needs to have a surge brake system installed so I'll do that while the boat's on the blocks.

I'd dearly love to go diesel but the cost is way, way up there.  Most likely though, I'll go with a new fuel injected Mercruiser 4.3. We have a good shop about 20 minutes from here where I can get a complete package for about $8700.  Have homework to do on that before any decisions are made.  From where I sit right now with the project (not started yet) that's a ways off.

In the meanwhile I've been assembling a folder of info. regarding 'glass & gelcoat repair, floor material & replacement, various methods of bottom paint stripping, washdown pump options, fuel tank options, windscreen options (Miguel's experience a big help), paint options (warthog5's sage advice along with others), non-skid options (RickK & others).  Well, the list goes on & on & on... Doing this research has also provided an education about what not to do.

[John Jones]

about what not to do.

I can probably add to that list  

[John Jones]

Sorry for the derail.

Warthog can probably give you some sage advice on plugging an outdrive hole.

[warthog5]

I can, but to fully understand it. I'd have to ,ake a drawing and post it.

If you want to call me on the phone, I can go over it with you.
(850) 455-0415

Basicly it is put in by steping and rabbiting the old transom and new pieces to give you maxium glue surface area.

Here are some pix's that are along the line's I'm talking about, except on a smaller scale.

http://www.classicmako.com/projects/xshark/bw21.htm

[Mark Sr]

Thanks Warthog5, I checked your site and it seems simple enough.What is cabosol and what does it do?

[Mark Sr]

Jim, That price for the 4.3 mercruiser,does that include the outdrive,controls,steering, and installation? What would that hp be. Do you have any info on that package?

[JimCt]

Mark,  See http://www.affordablemarine.com./merc_io_packs.htm

This is all the info. I have right now.  Later on into the project I'll go up to see them and get the full dope then.

[warthog5]

What is cabosol and what does it do?

It is a thickening agent and add's to the strength of the glue joint.

The plywood is weted out with unthicked epoxy first and let sit for 20 to 30min.
This is to alloy the resign to sink into the wood.

Another batch is made and added to the glue joint again, then the excess is thickened with Cabisol and put on the glue joint.

This will prevent a dry glue joint. The excess squeeze out is then cleaned off.

By the way. This is not the place you want to do your learning on boat repair, as it's a critical area and if not done right could have a catastrophic failure.

I'm not trying to discourge you, but with the question asked about "what is Cabisol" it tell's me you don't have any or limited experiance.

[Mark Sr]

I Have made engine boxes out of plywood and fiberglass some years ago,but then all you did was buy expoy,hardner,and a color agent,slap on some fiber cloth and brush it on.Turned out pretty good.Today you guys have taken this to another level.You have different expoy's and different types of cloth that goes on.I've look for books or videos for dummies on this subject but no luck.I guess I just have to keep asking a lot of dumb questions. Thanks for any help in advance.

[warthog5]

I have a lot of them and I belive this to be the best one.

The Fiberglass Boat Repair Manual (Hardcover)
by Allan H. Viatses.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/007156 ... oding=UTF8

[Argo]

On an older boat I would just go the route of a new transom.  It will probably take you the same amount of time.  They you wont have to worry, did I do that mix right?  did I leave any gaps in that big hole that is under the water line?