I would like to know the best way to repair a crack in the upper rear transom area behind the screwed on molding of a O day mariner. Thanks in advance for any advise.
crack in transom
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Yes, we should see them
The best way is too grind them out with a dremal tool, fill them with thicken epoxy, then cover them with gel coat to match.
The best way is too grind them out with a dremal tool, fill them with thicken epoxy, then cover them with gel coat to match.
casey, Remove the molding grind the crack
to a 1 in 12 taper and wipe it well with acetone. Lay in alternate layers of glass cloth and chopped strand mat soaked with polyester resin, no wax, until you have built it up to about fair. Grind it smooth(25 grit sanding disks on a right angle grinder are about right) fair with polyester fairing compound, sand gently and finish wih gelcoat or paint. That is the method that I would use but I have only used about 50 gallons of resin and 250 pounds of glass. There are others with more knowledge and experience than I.
to a 1 in 12 taper and wipe it well with acetone. Lay in alternate layers of glass cloth and chopped strand mat soaked with polyester resin, no wax, until you have built it up to about fair. Grind it smooth(25 grit sanding disks on a right angle grinder are about right) fair with polyester fairing compound, sand gently and finish wih gelcoat or paint. That is the method that I would use but I have only used about 50 gallons of resin and 250 pounds of glass. There are others with more knowledge and experience than I.
Cosmetic or structural??
that is the big question.If it is just a cosmetic crack there is no problem just seal it up. But if you have a structural defect it has to be properly repaired. You may need to have it surveyed if there is any doubt. I have a few cosmetic cracks in my gelcoat. I plan to paint in the next year or so and that should fix my problem. But if there is actually a crack in the fiberglass there may be far more important damage to correct. Some sections get very important strength from plywood etc under the fiberglass. If water has gotten to the plywood or balsa and the wood is rotten extensive repairs may be required. Inspect very carefully.
that is the big question.If it is just a cosmetic crack there is no problem just seal it up. But if you have a structural defect it has to be properly repaired. You may need to have it surveyed if there is any doubt. I have a few cosmetic cracks in my gelcoat. I plan to paint in the next year or so and that should fix my problem. But if there is actually a crack in the fiberglass there may be far more important damage to correct. Some sections get very important strength from plywood etc under the fiberglass. If water has gotten to the plywood or balsa and the wood is rotten extensive repairs may be required. Inspect very carefully.
Ross, a Dremel tool is very useful in glass repair
I use a dremel tool with dentists bits (used, from my understanding dentist), cutting wheels, drill bits and grinding stones for all kinds of small repairs and touch up. When you say "if it's broke, you gotta fix it" without a clear picture of what's broke, you may well be wasting the poor guy's time and money when he could be sailing. Small glass boats are incredibly tough. The can be pretty ragged around the edges and still sail fast and safe, and even win races.
I use a dremel tool with dentists bits (used, from my understanding dentist), cutting wheels, drill bits and grinding stones for all kinds of small repairs and touch up. When you say "if it's broke, you gotta fix it" without a clear picture of what's broke, you may well be wasting the poor guy's time and money when he could be sailing. Small glass boats are incredibly tough. The can be pretty ragged around the edges and still sail fast and safe, and even win races.
Fred, You and I both know that the need for
repair can only become greater. If Casey is seeing a gelcoat crack and feeling a need for repair, that is one thing. But if he has a crack in the transom it should be repaired. Read his post and tell me that my reply was not the best way to repair a crack in the transom. If his diagnosis is at fault I won't accept the blame for an over the top treatment.
repair can only become greater. If Casey is seeing a gelcoat crack and feeling a need for repair, that is one thing. But if he has a crack in the transom it should be repaired. Read his post and tell me that my reply was not the best way to repair a crack in the transom. If his diagnosis is at fault I won't accept the blame for an over the top treatment.
I agree that we need a photo, but Ross,
I've sucessfully ignored lots of defects that you would call a need for repair. I'd rather be sailing. During the 30+ years that I lived aboard next to a big haul out yard in Port Townsend, I saw a lot of folks who spent all their time and energy working on their boats instead of using them. I also saw lots of boats with dings, cracks, and deep gouges that kept on sailing for years. The only ones where glass really failed in a short time. either fell over in high winds in the yard or had serious collisions. Obvious glass and gear failures take a long time to develop. The ones that surprise you happen on "well maintained" boats as often as on "well used" boats, and they're, in my experience, metal breaking rather than glass. There is a yacht mentality that says a boat has to look like rich folks own it. I prefer the more relaxed attitude of commercial fishermen and tow boaters. Some of their boats look pretty rough, but they work daily in weather that most of us avoid if possible
I've sucessfully ignored lots of defects that you would call a need for repair. I'd rather be sailing. During the 30+ years that I lived aboard next to a big haul out yard in Port Townsend, I saw a lot of folks who spent all their time and energy working on their boats instead of using them. I also saw lots of boats with dings, cracks, and deep gouges that kept on sailing for years. The only ones where glass really failed in a short time. either fell over in high winds in the yard or had serious collisions. Obvious glass and gear failures take a long time to develop. The ones that surprise you happen on "well maintained" boats as often as on "well used" boats, and they're, in my experience, metal breaking rather than glass. There is a yacht mentality that says a boat has to look like rich folks own it. I prefer the more relaxed attitude of commercial fishermen and tow boaters. Some of their boats look pretty rough, but they work daily in weather that most of us avoid if possible
Ross, call you please define broken glass
and how you can tell the diference between that and a gel coat crack. I understand how a hollow rudder or keel can fill with water and during the winter that water could turn to ice and crack the fiberglass. You can feel the different in the surface by running your hand over it. I would really like to know how to tell them apart. Thank Ross.
and how you can tell the diference between that and a gel coat crack. I understand how a hollow rudder or keel can fill with water and during the winter that water could turn to ice and crack the fiberglass. You can feel the different in the surface by running your hand over it. I would really like to know how to tell them apart. Thank Ross.
Waffle , Gelcoat is simply unreinforced resin
and it cracks like hard candy. Broken fiberglass will be displaced from fair and will show an impact mark. If you can see the inside you will have a distortion and the paint may be knocked off. Pieces of gelcoat may be knocked off. When I was rebuilding Bietzpadlin I found a hole up high near the bow that had been filled with vinyl spackle, sanded fair and painted. Some P.O. probably hit an unyielding object and knocked it in. The patch didn't keep. I repaired it with glass cloth and resin and ten years later I would defy you to find it.
and it cracks like hard candy. Broken fiberglass will be displaced from fair and will show an impact mark. If you can see the inside you will have a distortion and the paint may be knocked off. Pieces of gelcoat may be knocked off. When I was rebuilding Bietzpadlin I found a hole up high near the bow that had been filled with vinyl spackle, sanded fair and painted. Some P.O. probably hit an unyielding object and knocked it in. The patch didn't keep. I repaired it with glass cloth and resin and ten years later I would defy you to find it.
Guys, why argue?
Read what the man said: "The crack isn't just the jel coat it is all the way thru. I can spread it with a screwdriver and see the hollow area inside. When you push on the back of the transom it will flex somewhat because the crack has weakend that area." Clearly, the transom is split and needs repair...he can spread it with a screwdriver.
Read what the man said: "The crack isn't just the jel coat it is all the way thru. I can spread it with a screwdriver and see the hollow area inside. When you push on the back of the transom it will flex somewhat because the crack has weakend that area." Clearly, the transom is split and needs repair...he can spread it with a screwdriver.
I now agree with Ross
BUT not the method. He has to fill the void with a expoxy filler and patch the crack. We really need a picture. It sounds more like water got into the viod via the screw holes and froze. BUT I am not sure why there would be a "hollow area inside" the transom? I would think it should have a marine grade plywood core. How des the motor mount attach to the transom?
BUT not the method. He has to fill the void with a expoxy filler and patch the crack. We really need a picture. It sounds more like water got into the viod via the screw holes and froze. BUT I am not sure why there would be a "hollow area inside" the transom? I would think it should have a marine grade plywood core. How des the motor mount attach to the transom?
Ok, I am starting to understand
The crack is in the upper part of the transom topsides? Then Ross's method of repair is correct. Is there any wood core visible?
The crack is in the upper part of the transom topsides? Then Ross's method of repair is correct. Is there any wood core visible?
First off this is a sailboat not a power boat
the transom is probably only a single skin. It has been torn. If Casey can gain access to the inside then after he has ground away the damaged laminate he can glue a piece of card board to the inside of the crack for backing and then start with narrow strips of glass and build a patch. The patch should be full thickness and at least 12 times as wide as it is thick.
the transom is probably only a single skin. It has been torn. If Casey can gain access to the inside then after he has ground away the damaged laminate he can glue a piece of card board to the inside of the crack for backing and then start with narrow strips of glass and build a patch. The patch should be full thickness and at least 12 times as wide as it is thick.
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