Thread:

Best way to fix transom rot

There is rot on each side of my transom from where the old swimstep brackets used to be. The swimstep only had 2 brackets holding it on and some water must have gotten in there and caused the lower side of the mounts to cave into the transom. The previous owner took off the swimstep and had someone glass in the transom and the old mounting holes, but the wood between the two is rotted. I found this out the hard way after drilling through it to mount a new swimstep (I'm using 4 brackets this time). So now my questions is, what's the best way to fix this?

I was thinking of cutting the top layer of fiberglass from the inside, then picking out/cutting out as much of the wood I could all without damaging the outside of the transom. Then replacing it with mesh fiberglass strand, a layer of cloth fiber, new wood, then a couple more layers of cloth fiber. It's going to be sketchy trying not to cut through to the outside layer. Does this sound about right or is there a better way to go about this? I've cut plenty of fiberglass before, but never had to glass anything back...yet

Originally Posted by OFFSHORE GINGER

Hey guy , pics would be nice , and to make a long story short in the long run i think you will find it much easier replacing the complete transom then trying to replace a section or section's considering when all is said and done you will at least know what you have in the end , and who knows the transom actually might be worse then you figured .

I agree! I had replaced mine a while back but instead of using plywood I used penske board which will never rott, also used the tool pictured below.

Wood preservation, rot repair, and restoration using epoxy resin on boats and homes.

Originally Posted by tator321

I agree! I had replaced mine a while back but instead of using plywood I used penske board which will never rott, also used the tool pictured below.

yep, multi tool works great, blades can get a little pricey but the tool is cheap from harbor freight ($20.00) and works surprisingly well and I hate h.f. Nice thing about that style of tool is much less dust created when cutting=less itch, resperatory issues etc.