Replacing transom, should I beef up inner skin?

[TMala]

I am replacing the transom on a 1969 20ft SF. I am replacing it from the outside in. I have taken everything out to the inner skin and the inner skin has a lot less material than I thought it would, some spots are completely showing through, some have unsaturated woven. It appears to be original. I would compare it to an un tightened drum, is that normal?

I'm trying to figure out if I have enough room to add to the inner skin from the outside but also contemplating replacing the transom from the outside like planned, then cutting out the fish boxes so I can then add a layer or two of 1708 to the inside of the transom as well. This is my first transom replacement so not sure if what i'm seeing here of the inner skin is about normal or needs a little help.

Thank in advance for any advice. I will try and post some pictures to show how its looking.

[flyingfrizzle]

That's why I like to replace from the inside. The outer skin is always thicker and I prefer to build up the inside so it is close to the outside thickness. Plus it is easer laying up cloth/resin on a incline leaning back vs having gravity fighting you laying up on the outside. The inside also lets you build up the tabbing to the hull and doesn't disturb the original molded hull structure. Don't get me wrong you can do it correctly either way and nothing wrong with doing it from the outside. BUT to me there are more benefits of doing it from the inside. Just like fairing. I hate fairing and doing it from the inside avoids fairing the rear of the boat. Still some internal fairing but it is not as bad as a big flat area. Another big plus going from the inside is you can build up anything as much as you want and add as much core as you want. From the outside your limited to the original thickness. You can add to the inside skin from the back if you make the core thinner long as the over all thickness is the same. If yours shows some cloth areas that are not wetted out as well I would grind that area(s) out and build then spots back out to the same thickness as before so it is all soaked as it should be. If you want to add thickness lay up a layer or two to the rear of the core before installing it into the rear. Just make sure you get a good bond between the old skin and the new skin laid up on the core. You may could do the best work going after it from the inside but if it is cut out already I would try and finish it from the rear as started. I would hate to do it twice from both sides though...

[gofastsandman]

Less fairing as well.

[TMala]

Unfortunately I already started from the outside thinking I didn't want to mess with the fish boxes and deck because they were in decent shape, now I know for next time to consider going from the inside out! HA I always have to do it the hard way at least once I guess. I got my work cut out for me.

[dirtwheelsfl]

Pics??

[DonV]

Originally Posted by TMala

Unfortunately I already started from the outside thinking I didn't want to mess with the fish boxes and deck because they were in decent shape, now I know for next time to consider going from the inside out! HA I always have to do it the hard way at least once I guess. I got my work cut out for me.

I did it from the outside, took off the skin and did the Arjay pour, the fairing was not all that bad. Not that it was like real fun, you know like fishing is. Oh yeah buy sandpaper in bulk to save some money.

[TMala]

https://photos.app.goo.gl/XnmjEs4hFQvQB8Xt8

The photo didn't show up, still trying to figure it out! But hopefully the link works. I think I figured it out, the core that came out is 1.5in. I think the transom was replaced before and by doing 1.5 in over what was there they didn't leave space for glass on the inner skin, make sense?

I might go the arjay route. It's something around 7.3 lbs per gallon, but how does that equate to the weight difference of what I took out of the transom? Is it going to be slightly heavier ? Lighter? Or about the same?

[jorgeinmiami]

I also went with Arjay and I liked how it came out

Not hard at all. And will never rot again