Hardwood transom

[topgunhorse]

I wonder if I may pick your brains please?
I have been asked to replace the wooden transom on a fibreglass boat.
The overall length is 1500mm x 300mm x 26mm maximum.
Questions are, what should it be made of, and where can I buy the wood to make it?
Any comments gratefully received.
(I'm near Macclesfield, Cheshire.)

 

[topgunhorse]

Please.

 

[pmagowan]

I presume it should be made of whatever was there before. Otherwise Honduras Mahogany is good with high stability at both ranges of humidity.

 

[TradewindSailor]

It depends on whether the intention is for it to be cosmetic, structural, or utilitarian ... i.e. to take an outboard.

It would be helpful if you could tell us what sort of boat it is. If it is just intended to be brightwork then as pmagowan says it depends on what other hardwood is used close by.

 

[oldhunter]

sailing dinghy's transoms are made of ply with framing on the inside to strengthen them, that could be a possibility depending on size of boat

 

[prv]

This seems a very odd request. I don't think I've ever come across a fibreglass hull but with a wooden transom. I also can't picture a boat with a transom four feet wide but only a foot high (unless it's a scale model of a downwind ocean racer). And if the OP isn't a skilled woodworker (if he were, he wouldn't be asking where to buy timber), why has someone trusted him with major structural works on their boat?

My bet is that he isn't really replacing the transom, but has got his terminology mixed up and it's some other woodwork in the general area of the stern.

Could we have a picture?

Pete

 

[macnorton]

Quite possible he means the timber that is used to reinforce the hull where the engine fits, and the transom is grp which alone is not strong enough to support an ob on its own?

If above is correct then any hardwood glassed in would work but thickness depends on engine rating.

 

[pmagowan]

If it is just for glassed in support I would have thought ply or cedar would do the job. The problem is, as many have said, there simply is not enough information to give an informed opinion.

 

[Kelpie]

I did meet a chap with a Liz 23 who had cut out the original transom and fitted a new one in wood. Looked very nice, and I think it was purely an aesthetic thing. Tricked you into thinking the whole boat was wood.

Jim Mottram was the name, he's written in some of the magazines from time to time. Very nice chap, too.

 

[oldsaltoz]

This seems a very odd request. I don't think I've ever come across a fibreglass hull but with a wooden transom. I also can't picture a boat with a transom four feet wide but only a foot high (unless it's a scale model of a downwind ocean racer). And if the OP isn't a skilled woodworker (if he were, he wouldn't be asking where to buy timber), why has someone trusted him with major structural works on their boat?

My bet is that he isn't really replacing the transom, but has got his terminology mixed up and it's some other woodwork in the general area of the stern.

Could we have a picture?

Pete

(Quote)I don't think I've ever come across a fibreglass hull but with a wooden transom.
Almost every power boat with an out board engine or out drive had a timber transom in the form of plywood glassed in.(End Quote).

The OP could be talking about the section of the transom that forms part of the outboard engine well or, the forward section of the engine well, as both are full width of the hull and not very deep.

Good luck and fair winds.

 

[oldsaltoz]

If this is part of the transom on a smallish power boat with an outboard, it will most likely be made of marine ply. and should be replace with the same material.

The last thing you want is a timber grain weak point on an outboard engine with a high turning moment, it'll just snap.

Has it rotted due to water ingress? if so the new ply must be sealed properly to prevent doing all again in a few years. A full epoxy treatment is the way to go.

All wet material will have to be removed. Grind the top off and get the chain saw in there is the fastest way.

Good luck and fair winds.

 

[macnorton]

Ply will work but hardwood does not de-laminate, water does not track between the laminates, and hardwood is less likely to compress and allow the motor to fall of.

Also the OP asked which hardwood is suitable, the post title is "hardwood transom", not ply.

 

[topgunhorse]

Thank you for your replies.
"Skilled woodworker", don't swear at me!
The boat, is a sail boat, if that's the word (I know nothing about them) about 16ft long. The rotted transom, (the last thing at the back you step over at the back before you get wet) I believe was a softwood, certainly not ply.
It fits onto the end of the hull its, lower profile is the same as the boat, and is held in place by maybe 8 SS bolts and lots and lots of silicone.
Thanks again, I'll get a photo tomorrow.
(P.S. I only just registered, and my post had to be moderated. When it appeared it was already on page 2)