Transom Cracks

[sailbytoes]

My boat has cracked gelcoat along the top edhe of the transom. Right below the hull-to deck joint. Like many older boats the surveyor said this is where the boat flexes, it's not structural, just cosmetic. Every repair eventuall cracks again.Well it looks ugly and I'd like to cover it with a peice of teak batten.I though I would drill in three places and use screws/bolts and 1" washers. then I'd use 5200 between the screws.The fellow in the slip next to me says I could cause more of a problem with leaks, other cracks etc. by doing this.If the problem is just gelcoat- nto structural how would this cause additioanl problems? Anyway I thought it put it out to the braintrust. Please help overt any potential harry-homeowner snafus if that's what I'm about to do.The boat is an Ericson, and the Manufacturer put a teak batten here on newer models.

 

[Gerry, GMJ Marine]

Go with the teak batten if it makes you happy but don't glue it down with 5200. It'll be a bear to remove if something should happen later, and could even break away some of the laminate if you try to pull it off. Instead, go with small bolts or machine screws, thru bolted with washers and nuts. All hardware should be stainless, spaced about 10"-12" apart with a sealant used around the holes and hardware. Don't use any sealant under the batten between the holes as this will allow drainage of any water. Use a decorative washer under the screw or bolt head for a nice finished look. Good luck.

 

[higgs]

A little different approach

Why bother with through bolts as this batten will not be under any load? I would just use tapping screws into the glass. If that doesn't hold up you can always through bolt later - but my bet is it will hold up fine. I like to bed the entire piece with silicone as it fills gaps that may not look finished and it also keeps water from sitting underneath the batten which can then end up a good place for dirt and mold to build up which eventually looks bad. I agree that 5200 is too much. I would also counter sink my screws and put a bung in so the batten shows no screws on the top. Easy job. I just did the same thing last year to cover some holes left when I moved my traveler.