Cret
New member
Decided due to the age of the coastworker I just bought that before selection and fitting of engine I had some slight concerns about the transom integrity as there had been a couple of holes previously drilled for brackets etc.
I drilled a few small test 'bore' holes last night in order to obtain samples of the core wood before sealing up again with epoxy, but found evidence of moisture in there. For the most part, the wood core seems dry, strong and smells fresh, but small amounts of wood sample were damp, and one hole of those drilled caused water to slowly weep out.
The wood through the last hole mentioned was good, so I think it may be the case there is a gap between the wood core and the fibreglass external layer of transom, at least in one place and possibly not much, in which moisture has gathered over time.
I have previously spoken to a marine engineer who advised that wet wooden core can be dried then if necessary treated with antifreeze (glycol?) to kill any rot, then inject a thin epoxy mix via a matrix of holes, which then penetrates the wood fibres and restores strength & integrity and prevents rot.
So the wood is not rotten (yet) and actually seems pretty solid, but that there has been water ingress in the transom, and I wish to treat this to ensure strength is retained, before it gets to the point where there is rot & weakness.
I think I have caught this in time, ie that there is water in there, but the core wood still seems in good condition.
Would be most grateful for advice from people who have experience of this sort of issue when it's at this stage but hasn't yet reached the point of being rotten.
Thanks for any info!
Jim
I drilled a few small test 'bore' holes last night in order to obtain samples of the core wood before sealing up again with epoxy, but found evidence of moisture in there. For the most part, the wood core seems dry, strong and smells fresh, but small amounts of wood sample were damp, and one hole of those drilled caused water to slowly weep out.
The wood through the last hole mentioned was good, so I think it may be the case there is a gap between the wood core and the fibreglass external layer of transom, at least in one place and possibly not much, in which moisture has gathered over time.
I have previously spoken to a marine engineer who advised that wet wooden core can be dried then if necessary treated with antifreeze (glycol?) to kill any rot, then inject a thin epoxy mix via a matrix of holes, which then penetrates the wood fibres and restores strength & integrity and prevents rot.
So the wood is not rotten (yet) and actually seems pretty solid, but that there has been water ingress in the transom, and I wish to treat this to ensure strength is retained, before it gets to the point where there is rot & weakness.
I think I have caught this in time, ie that there is water in there, but the core wood still seems in good condition.
Would be most grateful for advice from people who have experience of this sort of issue when it's at this stage but hasn't yet reached the point of being rotten.
Thanks for any info!
Jim