I would like to know how the transom in my 72 Oday Mariner was built. Is there wood in the transom? There is some bubbling (delamination) and I would like to know if this is critical and needs to be fixed.
mariner 2+2 transom material
- Thread starter twoplustwo
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The Mariner, like most small O'DAY models had a plywood core to the transom to allow clamping an outboard directly to the transom on either side of the rudder. (most owners clamp engine on port side).
That "bubbling" is most likely in the gelcoat of the fiberglass and may or may not indicate problems with the plywood core of the transom. It is worth looking into....... West System Epoxy has good advice about fixing blisters, check out their info at any dealer that sells their epoxy. Other brands of Epoxy also have good info on this subject.
That "bubbling" is most likely in the gelcoat of the fiberglass and may or may not indicate problems with the plywood core of the transom. It is worth looking into....... West System Epoxy has good advice about fixing blisters, check out their info at any dealer that sells their epoxy. Other brands of Epoxy also have good info on this subject.
Well, something must be there to re-enforce the transom and allow clamping the outboard to the transom. My 1979 DS II has plywood between the hull and the inside skin of the transom (part of the deck/cockpit molding).
The transom itself is just fiberglass, as the rest of the boat, no wood core was used. However, the rudder area has a piece of wood about 10 inches wide running from the top to the bottom of transom. There is wood also glued to the inside of the area above the cockpit seat wall as sunbird said, to reinforce that area for outboard mounting. I know this because the previous owner installed an inspection port on the rear most cockpit seat. Be careful grinding into the gel coat, the overall fiberglass is not very thick. Good luck, west marine has good advice, I also used you tube for info.
2+2
It's been a few years, but I had to repair the seam where the top of the transom meets the back edge (mine had an aluminum strip running across the back of transom at that point). As I recall, there is a strip of wood running across the top half/third - I believe it also anchors the backstay chain plate.
My Mariner is a 1970 - so its possible the transom structure was changed in later years.
Dan
Mariner #2024
It's been a few years, but I had to repair the seam where the top of the transom meets the back edge (mine had an aluminum strip running across the back of transom at that point). As I recall, there is a strip of wood running across the top half/third - I believe it also anchors the backstay chain plate.
My Mariner is a 1970 - so its possible the transom structure was changed in later years.
Dan
Mariner #2024
I fixed alot of bubbles and cracks in my gelcoat by dremelling them out to the glass and using white polyester filler. Wet-sanding with fine sandpaper will blend the filler in flush to the parent gelcoat and the end result looks good.
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