There is a hole in my boat!

repawn

repawn

.
Jul 28, 2014
73
Oday 22 Milwaukee
Hi all,

I removed my outboard mount from my Oday 22 to replace the backer -the old one was rotting. After taking it off I discovered the factory hole from the original motor mount still there.

How have you repaired this? I don't look forward to grinding a giant tapered hole in the transom on the inside of the boat. It is pretty snug down there.

Can I repair it from the outside only or is it best to tackle it from both sides?

Thanks
 
njlarry

njlarry

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Sep 23, 2009
1,477
O'Day 34-At Last Rock Hall, Md
For such a small hole, I would route the inner core between the skins and fill with thickened West epoxy. You can call West and get their professional advice. They have always been very helpful.
 
HukilauMike

HukilauMike

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May 31, 2004
858
Catalina 28 Branford
How big is this hole? If it's much bigger than an inch, I don't know if you can use just thickened epoxy. The site is vertical, which means you will have to thicken the epoxy till it won't flow at all. I could see using some material with a release agent sprayed on it as a "mold" on both sides of the transom, but only if the hole is small.

If the hole is bigger, I think you will have to grind it out with a tapering edge (from the outside, not the inside), then use progressively larger pieces of fiberglass cloth saturated in epoxy to fill in the hole.
 
repawn

repawn

.
Jul 28, 2014
73
Oday 22 Milwaukee
HukilauMike said:
How big is this hole? If it's much bigger than an inch, I don't know if you can use just thickened epoxy. The site is vertical, which means you will have to thicken the epoxy till it won't flow at all. I could see using some material with a release agent sprayed on it as a "mold" on both sides of the transom, but only if the hole is small.

If the hole is bigger, I think you will have to grind it out with a tapering edge (from the outside, not the inside), then use progressively larger pieces of fiberglass cloth saturated in epoxy to fill in the hole.
Click to expand
Likely I will have to grind it out - it is a perfectly round 2 inch hole where the aluminum pipe that held the motor mount went through originally.

One more thing to do before I can get the boat in the water.
 
jibes138

jibes138

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Jan 27, 2008
3,092
ODay 35 Beaufort, NC
Get a piece of G10 fiberglass from McMaster Carr and epoxy it on the inside to the transom to cover the hole. All you need to do is rough up the surfaces so it bonds well. Then use epoxy thickened with chopped up fiberglass strands to fill the hole from the outside. Place a sheet of Saran Wrap over it and duct tape the Saran Wrap so the epoxy won't run out. It should cure in a few hours , once hard remove the Saran Wrap. Sand it smooth and gel coat it or paint it. Good luck with the repair.
 
Last edited:
njlarry

njlarry

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Sep 23, 2009
1,477
O'Day 34-At Last Rock Hall, Md
Should have asked before. Is this above or below the waterline.
 
repawn

repawn

.
Jul 28, 2014
73
Oday 22 Milwaukee
njlarry said:
Should have asked before. Is this above or below the waterline.
Click to expand
Hi it is above the waterline - maybe a foot or more above. Should mention that I will be mounting my outboard over the location.
 
njlarry

njlarry

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Sep 23, 2009
1,477
O'Day 34-At Last Rock Hall, Md
Then I think I Jibes technique would be fine but I would use marine plywood as easier to obtain, work with, and fine for the job. Millions of power boats hang large outboard motors with all plywood cored transomes. You just need to seal a small above the water line hole. Duck tape might even do it...lol.
 
repawn

repawn

.
Jul 28, 2014
73
Oday 22 Milwaukee
Thanks all - I will let you know how it goes.

The previous "fix" was a chunk of 2x10 with caulking around the hole perimeter - I am sure some marine ply or G10 backing and the hole filled with epoxy will be better.
 
repawn

repawn

.
Jul 28, 2014
73
Oday 22 Milwaukee
Quick update. Made a 1/2" marine ply backer and epoxied it to the inside of the transom - then used some csm to epoxy the whole. Finished that off with some fairing filler. Just completed a quick sand. Hole taken care of - need to do a little more clean up and I am ready to re-hang the outboard mount.
 

Attachments

jibes138

jibes138

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Jan 27, 2008
3,092
ODay 35 Beaufort, NC
Countersink the holes to reduce potential for cracks and to allow a space for sealant to squeeze around the fastener.
 
njlarry

njlarry

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Sep 23, 2009
1,477
O'Day 34-At Last Rock Hall, Md
I was gonna say listen to the man, but looks like you already knew to counter sink from your attached picture.
 
jibes138

jibes138

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Jan 27, 2008
3,092
ODay 35 Beaufort, NC
Once I blew up the picture I could see the counter sinks, nice job! You should be good for another 30 years.
 
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