Pontoon Boat & Deck Boat Forum

I'd like to replace the wood in my transom this winter when I re-power. Does anyone know if the transom has to be one solid piece of wood or can you use layers of marine plywood glued together? Anyone done this before? Any suggestions?
Thanks in advance

I replaced mine during my rebuild.
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however I had to do it again after 5 hours...

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and this one is starting to sag. So this xmas I am buying an all aluminum transom pan. Then I never have to worry about it again!

Its normally 2 pieces of 3/4 marine plywood glued together. its for maximum strength that way.

You can laminate some marine plywood to the thickness, However personally I would not use wood. Some good 3-4 inch aluminum channel welded in where the motor bolts are now would do the trick and never need replacement.

Correct me if I am wrong but I do not believe new boats have wood in the transoms.

If you coat the wood with fiberglass it would make it waterproof and should last a very long time.

margaritaman wrote:If you coat the wood with fiberglass it would make it waterproof and should last a very long time.

You can laminate marine-grade plywood together to build the transom. Yes if it is coated with fiberglass and epoxy (3 to 4 coats) it would be waterproof. You must add a good Spar Varnish over the fiberglass to protect the epoxy from UV. The varnish should be re-applied every 2-3 years for maximum results.

RcgTexas wrote:You can laminate some marine plywood to the thickness, However personally I would not use wood. Some good 3-4 inch aluminum channel welded in where the motor bolts are now would do the trick and never need replacement.

Correct me if I am wrong but I do not believe new boats have wood in the transoms.

Thanks for the advise. You are right that the new Trackers don't use wood but mine is a '93 so the wood is over 20 years old. I'm really surprised it's still in as good a shape as it is but it's starting to deteriorate at the bottom where its in the water all the time.

wijames wrote:... but mine is a '93 so the wood is over 20 years old. I'm really surprised it's still in as good a shape as it is but it's starting to deteriorate at the bottom where its in the water all the time.

There you go you've already got your anwser.... Get a sheet of marine plywood, water proof wood glue, rust resistant fasteners and fiberglass resin or marine paint and your good to go for another 20 plus years....

My Dad would have likely brought home a gallon of oil base paint from the drilling rig and put coat after coat of paint on the old wood and called it good as long as it was still solid....

teecro wrote:

wijames wrote:... but mine is a '93 so the wood is over 20 years old. I'm really surprised it's still in as good a shape as it is but it's starting to deteriorate at the bottom where its in the water all the time.

There you go you've already got your anwser.... Get a sheet of marine plywood, water proof wood glue, rust resistant fasteners and fiberglass resin or marine paint and your good to go for another 20 plus years....

My Dad would have likely brought home a gallon of oil base paint from the drilling rig and put coat after coat of paint on the old wood and called it good as long as it was still solid....

I'm also wondering how expensive it would be to just get a piece of 1 1/2" aluminum plate cut to replace the wood? anyone have any idea?

1.5" thick solid alum plate would be very costly as well as heavy overkill...

the 4" channel would be as strong as you need and way cheaper! but its your battleship.......

RcgTexas wrote:You can laminate some marine plywood to the thickness, However personally I would not use wood. Some good 3-4 inch aluminum channel welded in where the motor bolts are now would do the trick and never need replacement.

Correct me if I am wrong but I do not believe new boats have wood in the transoms.

He would still need something to displace to weight and torque of the motor to the parameter of the transom.
The aluminum angle was added to stop the motor mounting bolts from settling deeper into the transoms plywood.
This is the rear view of a party hut transom. The aluminum skin is relatively thin and IMHO there is no way it would hold up unless backed up by something substantial enough to dispense and carry the load. 4" Channel by itself just ain't up to the job. Now maybe with some plywood..

This transom is 1/8 plate with 3 inch channel across the top and mid where the bolt holes are.

Granted he may need more than just channel but in my opinion he doesn't need wood unless he wants wood. It came with wood so it will do just fine. Channel will last and weather better. To put channel he will need a little plate and some welding but in my opinion he would be better off. just

Some of us could always us a little wood.

margaritaman wrote:Some of us could always us a little wood.

Hey I resemble that remark!