CD 22 Transom

[goldpan]

I read somewhere in one of the threads here that the transom is no longer a balsa core. Can anyone tell me what replaced the wood and if so when the change was made (build date wise). Thanks

[Barry Rietz]

Reel Knotty;

This past January I wanted to have a new 2010 C-Dory 22' Cruiser built and visited the Sea Sport factory at Bellingham. One of the "modifications" I wanted was to core the transom, as well as the remainder of the cored portion of the boat, with high density rigid Airex foam. During that visit I was told that "plywood" was the standard core material then and had been used in all previous boats. Therefore I feel it is safe to say your 2007 model is cored with plywood based on that conversation. Apparently my ideas were not well received since I never heard back from factory staff even though I had "checkbook" in hand!!!

[breausaw]

This is contrary to what I was told when I called the original factory, they said my 07 transom was cored with some kind of high density foam. I have since drilled a few holes for various things and can attest to the fact it is not plywood; it is some kind of synthetic material and not balsa.

[jennykatz]

the original 87-? had plywood transoms then sometime in the 90's they put balsa core in the transoms and ran the balsa all the way up to the v-berth
Then in 06-07 or so they went to high density foam I believe the cape cruisers all had the foam transoms also .this is what I remember talking at the seattle gathering a few yrs back . Dave old growth could chime in he works with toland on his maurinaut 215

[Matt Gurnsey]

The Fluid built models we sold had a high density foam in the transom with Balsa in the hull. The Venture series had high density foam throughout the hull, as did the Tom Cat.

Sea Sport went back to plywood? If so, it may have been a cost cutting measure. And if what Barry says is true, is one of the reasons we are hesitent to order more boats, since we really have no idea what we'll be getting.

However, since the factory doesn't sell boats, Barry's checkbook would have no bearing on their enthusiasm. And since they are not custom building the boats, building a one off isn't usually cost effective. Plus, how does a manufacturer warranty a product not built to their specs?

[tomherrick]

My 1984 22-footer had an inch and a half of balsa in the transom and 3/4 non-marine plywood in the sole. That balsa core was almost all mush from the rot; the plywood which had two-inch wide voids has been dried.

T

[Captains Cat]

Tom, that's a beautiful job you're doing on your Classic! Just looked at the pix. You'll have the only CD 26 that I know of!!

Charlie

[tomherrick]

Thanks, Charlie. The project keeps me from looking for real work...

T

[journey on]

Journey On a 2005 C-25 has a high density foaf transom and balsa between the inner and outer hull.

The pics were taken by my daughter during construction. The green is the top edge of the trasome core, and the lighter brown is the balsa core.








Boris

[C-Val]

Prairieboy

You are doing an amazing rebuild job!

I have an '82 classic and was told I had 1 1/2 plywood in the transom and 3/4" in the sole

After looking at your renovation I am wondering if I have balsa in the transom as well??? I know there are soft spots around the kicker bracket but nothing is delaminated as far as I can tell

What do you think?

[oldguy83]

C-Val: Your 82 has balsa core in the lower half and plywood where the top motor bolts are. The bottom motor bolts go thru balsa core.

I would pull the copper cockpit thru hull drains, that will tell if you have wetcore. As those thru hulls were never sealed right from the factory. You can buy new copper thru hulls tubes for a couple bucks each.

My 85 had a wet transom from these thru halls. I also drilled test holes with a 3/8 hole saw on the inside under the motorwell behind the gas tanks. All the balsa was wet. If you find the same thing, I will than tell you the rest of the story. Good luck: Jack.

[prosimedia]

My '07, 22 Cruiser definitely has high density foam in the transom core because I just installed a new transducer and overdrilled the holes to fill with epoxy. It was a weird colored stuff - definitely not wood.

Simon

[C-Val]

Thank you oldguy83

Finally it makes sense! I have both balsa and plywood

I am still running the original johnson outboard on the '82
My thought was to keep running it as long as it lasts and then before I install the new power cut off the back skin of the transom and replace the whole thing with marine grade plywood.

Does this sound like a reasonable plan?

[tomherrick]

@C-Val,

All I know for sure is what I have in my '84 C-Dory. All balsa in the transom and standard full 'o void exterior CDX plywood in the sole - nope, no marine-grade stuff there... There was no plywood in my boat's transom. YBMV...

In regard to your boat, an electrostatic moisture-meter can tell you a lot once you get the hang of interpreting the message. In a dry transom with both balsa and plywood, you'll get a higher reading over the plywood due to a higher density of material. Water will do the same thing. It gets a bit complicated, but with a little time and comprehension of what may cause variances in the meter readings you'll get the hang of it. I'm no rocket-scientist, but after I mapped out the readings on the fiberglass, I removed it and found that those readings accurately reflected the character of the core below.

I'm hoping to crank my project back up in the very near future. The exterior hull laminations were almost done late last summer when a series of physical maladies conspired to keep me out of the shop. Feeling progressively better as of late, so look out... Of course, I have also found real work at a day job doing GIS/mapping, so that cuts into the boat project, but it's nice to have funds for the gelcoat and possible repower too.

It's all fun...

[C-Val]

Prairieboy

I looked at everyone of your project pictures. I am amazed at what you have taken on.

As I grew up, my dad was a wooden boat builder. These pictures remind me of those long ago days. Fond memories for me. I cleaned up under the boat as he built frames and closed it in with plank or plywood.

I was especially impressed with your engineering feat of spinning the boat!
(I showed my son who is a structural engineer) Its amazing what desire, ingenuity and skill can come up with.

Glad you are feeling better. I want to follow your project as you continue.
Good luck!