Transom Cap?

A

Art Smith

New member
Looking at a good condition 2007 22' cruiser, but:

Transom cap has been trimmed flush with outside all the way across. Looks like this would allow water coming up the stern to enter transom wood. Is this trimming normal for a single 90HP Honda? Is it a concern? Easy repair if wood not rotted?

The engine has been shimmed out about a half inch at top of bracket with a tapered SST? shim to allow more tilt in. Is this normal?

Comments please.
 
Art,
The transom cap is purely cosmetic. The transom should have been completely sealed with fiberglass overlap. This is actually the hull to deck joint in the c Dory (and most other brands). Some put an aluminum strip over--easier and cheaper than doing the glass work to a high degree of finish.

As far as the transom wedge--some do this to get the bow down more when going into chop. I find that far more effective is the use of one of the foils--such as the Permatrim. This has more leverage and better fuel "mileage" than the transom wedge. But not a problem with that specific boat.

Good luck with a purchase!
 
The black plastic cap is loose from the top of what appears to be plywood in some spots. The plywood looks like it may be covered in epoxy. But, both the outer and inner fiberglass pieces are separated from the wood, at least where I can see it without removing the cap, which seems to have originally been glued on.

My concern is water getting in between the plywood and the outer skin.

I have images, but have not been able to figure out how to include them in this message.

Art[/img]
 
You can get an album if you have a boat name--or any name--from the moderator.

Also if you have the photo in a web site, like Google photos, you can link it, by image address.

You can send me an e-mail with the photo: thataway4@cox.net.

It is very possible that there was just some polyester or a single layer of mat or cloth over this area. Not sure who made that boat, but most likely in 2007 the Reynolds. Epoxy was not normally used in this part of the construction, but if it is epoxy, it could have been painted on later.

The plastic cap is bedded in a sealant. On the 25, where I pulled the cap, we put down again with black 5200. Also Black Boat life, life seal can be used. My current 2006 boat also has the back downward lip cut flush with the top of the transom. The cap is tight--and I have not attempted to lift it off, nor would I attempt to.

If the cap is loose, then I would pull it off; then if any any potential issue can be addressed. A layer or two of cloth and epoxy could be put on the top of the transom and the cap re-applied.
 
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