transom rebuild 1/2" or 3/4" ?

[elite51203]

I'm enclosing my transom and was wondering if there is there a difference structurally between 3 layers of 1/2 or 2 layers of 3/4"?

I plan on using a bracket (porta or similar) and a 130-150 ouboard.

[RickK]

If you're layering it up outside the boat I don't think it matters - you'll have some matt, some cloth and some more matt between each layer so it's 2 of one/ 3 of another - your choice.  
If you're doing it raw, wet on wet in the transom and clamping it, the 1/2" might conform to some bow in the transom.

[elite51203]

I plan on building the core layers first and then clamping and glassing it as one piece.

[seabob4]

Like Rick said...6 of one, 1/2 dozen of the other.  I did my little Sea Sprite with (2) thicknesses of 3/4".  CSM in between, screwed together with #10 flatheads a whole bunch of places.  Added knees and a 1/4" outer skin...damn thing is solid as a rock!  No need for clamping.  All the pre-drilled screw holes shot with 5200 first while the glass was wet, she'll be in one piece attached to what's left of the transom should I ever run the boat into a brick wall at 75 MPH...


That is, behind the Jeep!

[RickK]

There are plenty of examples here.
I did a 3/4oz matt, 1708 cloth, 3/4oz layup between each piece of wood.  Make sure you soak the wood with whichever type of resin you choose.  Make sure you coat the outsides of the wood when you get a chance.  I mixed up a bunch of thickened resin, which I'll call "putty" and then I troweled the putty onto the transom and then clamped it into place.

[elite51203]

Good stuff.  Thanks guys.

[4shore]

for what its worth. I have a 245 FF and decided to use 3/4" okoume ply wood. There is no way in hell that I would have been able to laminate out of the boat and then press two layers of that stuff in. The stern has a bit of a curve to it and I had to kerf each layer of ply to get it to conform to the boat. I ended up going with 2 layers of 3/4 okoume and one layer of 1/2" fir with 1 oz mat between each layer. Each layer was tabbed in separately with 1708 and I will finish it off with a layer of 1708 then 1808 then 1708 again.

I am also adding knees to mine

[seabob4]

Knees are the deal...

[4shore]

bee's knees....

[seabob4]

bee's knees....

^^^^^^