1973 Aquasport 19-6 Rebuild

[Mad Dog]

While under he hull supporting this bad boy, this is what I see! How stupid do you have to be to do this?

I've seen worse.       Read a story where a fellow couldn't get his boat off the trailer.  Turns out he had used some 3" drywall screws to install some accessory and drove them into the bunks. No wonder it wouldn't launch.   

I'm sure all those jackstands are fine but I get nervous looking at them.

MD   

[thennutts]

Cutting into the transom this weekend. I noticed that some people use 3 pieces 1/2" marine ply and some use 2 pieces of 1/2" marine ply. Anyone have any pros and cons on which to use? Which would work better, stronger, any suggestions? Thanks all

Chris

[Capt. Bob]

It could be that buying 3 -1/2" sheets was more cost effective than 2 -3/4" sheets in order to achieve the thickness they wanted in the transom.  

If not, then it's probably just that they wanted that extra thickness for the warm and fuzzy feeling the thicker transom gives.  :sunny:
Years ago, I used 2-3/4" pieces for the transom on my 15 footer but plywood was a LOT cheaper in the early eighties. :(

[flkeysaqua]

I personally would think 3 1/2inch sheets would be be stronger than 2 3/4inch sheets IMHO

[thennutts]

So I ripped out all the old rotted wood out of the transom. I was pretty ugly in there, nice and wet. Only thing somewhat dry was the addition of the full transom which was actually done correctly, but still a bit damp. I picked up 3 sheets of 1/2" kiln dried marine plywood today. I will put up all kinds of pics after the weekend. Hope to get a decent amount done.

I do have one questions with glassing the pieces and sandwiching them:

After, of course, preping the wood before glass, what would be the best fiberglass material to use. I was thinking 1 layer 1708, 1 layer 2408, 1 layer 1708, then add another piece of wood and repeat. This would do it correct with plenty of strength? Any tips or .02 anyone would like to add would be great!

-Chris

[thennutts]

Anyone?

[slvrlng]

I'm going to use 1708 on mine with 1700 on top. I don't think the heavier is nescessary. Its a lot easier to keep smooth around corners. The 1708 or any cloth with mat attached is going to soak up a lot more resin and not add a lot of strength. If you need to fill stuff then use the heavier stuff. Sorry no body got back been busy with pinewood derby car!

[flkeysaqua]

I don't think sandwiching layers of glass between is the way to go but I could be wrong just never seen a manufacturer do that before either once again I could be wrong surprised nobody's chimed in yet on this one.

[Mad Dog]

I do have one questions with glassing the pieces and sandwiching them:

After, of course, preping the wood before glass, what would be the best fiberglass material to use.

-Chris

Chris, to bond the sheets of ply together you only need epoxy resin and woodflour filler.  Coat each sheet of ply with 2 coats of resin, allow that to set (not cure).  Mix the resin and woodflour to a ketchup consistency.  Spread it over each sheet to be bonded using a notched spreader.  Lay the two sheets together and apply weights to squeeze the plys together. You want about 10% to squeeze out. That makes sure you have no voids.  Let them cure.  You only need the 1700 and 1708 to build up the inside skin.  

Here is what mine looked like when bonded.

[slvrlng]

Hey Chris, if you haven't seen this before please read this tutorial as it has a huge amount of info and theory of correct procedures on repair. This hull was so bad that they cut out the whole transom. Shine does not recomend this because of the huge amount of fairing and work you have to do on the outside. If you follow their lamination schedule your hull will be stronger than new ever thought about being.
 http://boatbuildercentral.com/howto/aquasport/index.php

[Marcq]

Hey Chris, if you haven't seen this before please read this tutorial as it has a huge amount of info and theory of correct procedures on repair. This hull was so bad that they cut out the whole transom. Shine does not recomend this because of the huge amount of fairing and work you have to do on the outside. If you follow their lamination schedule your hull will be stronger than new ever thought about being.
 http://boatbuildercentral.com/howto/aquasport/index.php

I remember this rebuild, they end up selling it without power. that was some project

Marc..

[Mad Dog]

Hey Chris, if you haven't seen this before please read this tutorial as it has a huge amount of info and theory of correct procedures on repair. This hull was so bad that they cut out the whole transom. Shine does not recomend this because of the huge amount of fairing and work you have to do on the outside. If you follow their lamination schedule your hull will be stronger than new ever thought about being.
 http://boatbuildercentral.com/howto/aquasport/index.php

That's where I learned my fiberglass skilzzz.

MD  

[thennutts]

Hey all,

Thank you very much for all suggestions. Seems like their are about 100 ways to skin this cat. Spoke to Will Borden from www.fiberglass-repair.com and he advised absolutely add glass inbetween sheets, he even explains in detail in his transom repair DVD to add glass. He typically adds 3/4 oz mat, fat mat, 3/4 oz mat in the sandwich, and adjusts glass sandwich according to HP motor. I then contacted my uncle who is was the founder/CEO of World Cat(Forrest Munden) before he sold the company 8 years ago. He said they never used an ounce of wood in their boats but to absolutely to add fiberglass inbetween, says it definately wont hurt, will only add strength. So, in a nuttshell, I'll be adding glass in this transom sandwich. I have a template cut, I will be making the final pieces tomorrow and will have plenty of pics comming this weekend. Thanks all!

-Chris

[LilRichard]

Sorry - out of the loop again.

Yes, you need to add glass between layers.  I don't think you need 1708 - I just used 2 layers of 3/4 oz mat.  The glass will add stregth , but also assist in bonding where there may be small irregularities in the wood.

[thennutts]

Richard,

Thanks buddy. I started the transom today, I have one sandwich completed. I ended up using 2 layers of 1 1/2oz mat along with 1 1/2 gal of resin. I will be finishing up the last layer sandwich and then glass it into the boat.

-Chris