You are using an out of date browser. It may not display this or other websites correctly.
You should upgrade or use an alternative browser.
You should upgrade or use an alternative browser.
Repair log - wet transom core
- Thread starter Ctarmigan
- Start date
Ctarmigan
Member
- Joined
- Nov 14, 2019
- Messages
- 56
- Reaction score
- 4
- Location
- Whitehorse
- C Dory Year
- 2004
- C Dory Model
- 22 Cruiser
- Hull Identification Number
- CD022102J304
- Vessel Name
- Ptarmigan
Hi Easton - no, I had a quiet winter for boat repairs; the transom cap remains as I 'temporarily' finished it last spring.
That being said, the epoxy cap itself is perfectly functional - it should be robust enough to seal up the transom for the life of the hull. The black plastic transom top cover that I reapplied looks pretty rough - it broke on removal, and the crack is kind of obvious. The aesthetics of this have bothered me less with time.
I plan to assess balsa core condition in the floor this coming winter, and remediate as needed. I may apply a new transom top cover at that point.
As Clay wisely counselled early in the thread - as it's currently boating season (and Yukon/Alaska summers are awfully short), it's worth carefully assessing whether time-consuming repairs are necessary right now, or can wait until this winter. Depending on your specific scenario, there could be low risk in waiting.
That being said, the epoxy cap itself is perfectly functional - it should be robust enough to seal up the transom for the life of the hull. The black plastic transom top cover that I reapplied looks pretty rough - it broke on removal, and the crack is kind of obvious. The aesthetics of this have bothered me less with time.
I plan to assess balsa core condition in the floor this coming winter, and remediate as needed. I may apply a new transom top cover at that point.
As Clay wisely counselled early in the thread - as it's currently boating season (and Yukon/Alaska summers are awfully short), it's worth carefully assessing whether time-consuming repairs are necessary right now, or can wait until this winter. Depending on your specific scenario, there could be low risk in waiting.
Easton19
New member
- Joined
- Jun 4, 2026
- Messages
- 2
- Reaction score
- 0
- Location
- Alaska
- C Dory Year
- 2005
- C Dory Model
- 25 Cruiser
I know what you mean about the short summers, I’m in Alaska, my concern is finding someone with a shop big enough for the boat if I was gonna wait until winter. So Im debating if im gotta sacrifice a bit of my summer.
Im also still trying to decide if I'm gonna do a epoxy cap like you or do a fiberglass cap, I think the fiberglass might look better in the long run, but the epoxy sounds way more my skill level.
I’ve also got concerns about the floor but transom seems more important.
Still no complaints on the pour in transom? I wanted to use carbonbon, but seacast will ship to Alaska so probably the one I’m stuck with.
Im also still trying to decide if I'm gonna do a epoxy cap like you or do a fiberglass cap, I think the fiberglass might look better in the long run, but the epoxy sounds way more my skill level.
I’ve also got concerns about the floor but transom seems more important.
Still no complaints on the pour in transom? I wanted to use carbonbon, but seacast will ship to Alaska so probably the one I’m stuck with.
thataway
Well-known member
- Joined
- Nov 2, 2003
- Messages
- 21,829
- Reaction score
- 187
- C Dory Year
- 2007
- C Dory Model
- 25 Cruiser
- Hull Identification Number
- DOR25652A707
- Vessel Name
- thataway
The epoxy is stronger, and gives much better secondary bond to other materials than polyester resins. I am not sure what you mean by "fiberglass cap". Epoxy, polyester and vinyl ester resins all have different properties. The vinyl ester resins are about half way between the polyester and epoxy resins in adheret property.
My personal feeling is that the epoxy resin is easier to work with. Part of that was that polyester resin was what we used when building a boat during the lamimation and layup process. We used that in 80 gallon drums. Epoxy came in two 5 gallon pails. For adding structure, when the polyester resin was still "green"--a little tacky when used without wax, which coats the (floats up to the surface) laminate. You always want wax free polyester resin for lamination.
My personal feeling is that the epoxy resin is easier to work with. Part of that was that polyester resin was what we used when building a boat during the lamimation and layup process. We used that in 80 gallon drums. Epoxy came in two 5 gallon pails. For adding structure, when the polyester resin was still "green"--a little tacky when used without wax, which coats the (floats up to the surface) laminate. You always want wax free polyester resin for lamination.