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Author Topic:   transom delamination

drew posted 02-24-2001 06:29 PM ET (US)
I have a 1971 Nauset and on top of the transom on both sides is starting to come apart. The gelcoat is coming away from the fiberglass. I tried filling it with some gelcoat, but it just came apart again in no time. I believe this is a common problem on the older whalers. Does anyone have any advice on how to fix this for good?
DIVE 1 posted 02-24-2001 10:07 PM ET (US)
Drew,
Is the gelcoat delaminating from the fiberglass or is the fiberglass delaminating from the wood? Look closely at the crack and try to insert an icepick or a thin knife blade. You need to get to the root of the problem to make a diagnosis of the problem.
jimmer posted 02-26-2001 09:41 AM ET (US)
I'm facing the same repair on my '69 Sakonnet. It appears that the damage is caused by moisture penetrating the exposed laminate at the top of the transom. The moisture probably freezes in the winter, with the resulting expansion forcing the laminate apart. The only way I can see to properly repair this is to grind away the damaged area, as well as a substantial bevel into the good glass, to allow the repair to bond well. I would want to check that the small wood blocks at the top of the transom were dry and sound before glassing them back up.
Because of the extensive gel coat work that will be required after this repair, I,m saving it for when I get around to my planned re-gel coating of the entire hull.
Until then, I'm using sealant to keep the wound closed up.

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Author	Topic: transom delamination
drew	posted 02-24-2001 06:29 PM ET (US) I have a 1971 Nauset and on top of the transom on both sides is starting to come apart. The gelcoat is coming away from the fiberglass. I tried filling it with some gelcoat, but it just came apart again in no time. I believe this is a common problem on the older whalers. Does anyone have any advice on how to fix this for good?
DIVE 1	posted 02-24-2001 10:07 PM ET (US) Drew, Is the gelcoat delaminating from the fiberglass or is the fiberglass delaminating from the wood? Look closely at the crack and try to insert an icepick or a thin knife blade. You need to get to the root of the problem to make a diagnosis of the problem.
jimmer	posted 02-26-2001 09:41 AM ET (US) I'm facing the same repair on my '69 Sakonnet. It appears that the damage is caused by moisture penetrating the exposed laminate at the top of the transom. The moisture probably freezes in the winter, with the resulting expansion forcing the laminate apart. The only way I can see to properly repair this is to grind away the damaged area, as well as a substantial bevel into the good glass, to allow the repair to bond well. I would want to check that the small wood blocks at the top of the transom were dry and sound before glassing them back up. Because of the extensive gel coat work that will be required after this repair, I,m saving it for when I get around to my planned re-gel coating of the entire hull. Until then, I'm using sealant to keep the wound closed up.