Lund transom construction in 2017 and beyond? [Archive] (2024)

REW

07-12-2016, 02:55 PM

Since the Lund Glass boats now all use composite transoms, is there any move on the part of Lund to incorporate NON WOOD transoms in all of their aluminum boat line?

In today's world of aluminum boats, why is any manufacturer using a product that will certainly rot in its use in the boat?

Yes, I understand all of the arguments about wood being the perfect material, cost etc. But still - wood with the potential to rot used in a marine environment?

A wood transom costs the manufacturer $40. A composite transom costs the manufacturer $300.

But, the composite transom never requires any warranty service. Wouldn't the manufacturer be better off by going to a non wood transom?

--------------
As I understand it - Alumacraft will be going to a non wood transom in all of their deep V boats in 2017. Will Lund follow the right path and eliminate the wood in their line of aluminum boats?
Same thing with their floors? Why have any wood in their floors that will also get soft and rot over time, when the floors can be made of braced aluminum with no wood in it at all either.

Be safe

lakedog

07-12-2016, 03:30 PM

They should make it a cost option and see how many people opt for the alternate material seeing as it doesn't affect the rest of the construction. My best guess is that most people wouldn't spend the money either as a result of the warranty issued to the original owner or the fact that they don't care. In that regard, if it doesn't affect sales why bother?

Most of the people who have suffered as a result of transom wood rotting, myself included, are 2nd and 3rd owners who don't benefit from the factory warranty. Having my boat on the water enhances Lund's reputation to a degree, but my best guess is that they would have more strongly preferred that I had purchased a new boat.

Burr

07-12-2016, 04:17 PM

The Lund Aluminum Pro V Bass boat introduced last year has no wood in it's construction, in the hull or anywhere else.

As far as what happens in the future with other boats - we'll just have to wait and see.

CKM

07-12-2016, 04:56 PM

GOS

07-12-2016, 08:19 PM

The Lund Aluminum Pro V Bass boat introduced last year has no wood in it's construction, in the hull or anywhere else.

As far as what happens in the future with other boats - we'll just have to wait and see.

Please enlighten me as to where you came across this info. I just went through the 2016 catalog and there's no mention of using anything other than wood. Thanks, Gregory

I hate flo

07-12-2016, 10:29 PM

Well, those cost estimates are way off.
On todays wide and tall boats, 2 full sized sheets of true marine grade plywood will run you $200-$400, plus labor to cut and laminate, so $350 to $700.

Plywood is a composite.

What are/is the proposed "composite" that they might use?

The transom issues experienced in the last 20 years on Lund boats, are likely due to poor material choices, poor design, and shortcuts in manufacturing.

And the few hundred? failures at Lund, don't account for the 100,000's or millions across the market that have wood transoms but have not had issues or failures.

I currently have 3 Starcrafts, and 1 Alumacraft, the newest being a 1981 model. All have original wood transoms with no rot issues.

Maybe what needs to happen, is for people to stop buying the hype, and by a different brand of boat.

REW

07-12-2016, 10:51 PM

I hate,
I read and understood your post.

But, no question about it, of the many many boats that are manufactured every year, there are also many many many boats that end up with rotten transoms after a short or long time.

I have seen cases of virtually every brand boat made with a wooden transom having transom issues in some model.

Of course, there are some boats that have a good long service life with no rot in their transom. But, there are also some boats that have a rotted transom in a relatively short time.

Be safe

Burr

07-13-2016, 01:19 AM

GOS - yeah, there is not much said about the wood free construction on the Pro V Bass, or about the paint on the boat that is different than any of their other paints. Find one and look at it, close, it's not that hard to see the paint difference, but the transom is covered up pretty well. The whole transom is clad, so you have to really be looking to see it. I doubt you'd ever notice unless you were trying to look for it. There's a few other things about the boat that are unique too, that has very little/no print. Just pay attention when you look it over, you'll see some things. The boat filled with innovation.

It's been disclosed many times on WC the Lund Transoms that had problems were all during the Genmar ownership years. As soon as Brunswick owned Lund the material changed, their hasn't been (and I doubt there will be) any issues with the Lund transoms since about 2006 or 2007. REW knows that, not really sure why he still insists on lumping all Lunds into the same category. He's not really interested in a boat that is made out of aluminum anyway. Puzzling why he felt compelled to start the thread.

I didn't get an advanced look at the 2017's this year, so I'm not sure if the new 2075 Pro V Bass will be the same wood free construction. I know the engineers are very satisfied with the strength to weight of wood vs alternative materials. It's my feeling the wood transom is still the best material for the purpose, with the singular exception of public perception. The strength and durability testing was really extreme, I would not worry about the composite transom strength. Not like the products used by other mfgr's.

The model year change over is happening now. We'll see what the changes are for different models in within a short time.

Lund Owner

07-13-2016, 06:28 AM

Well, those cost estimates are way off.
On todays wide and tall boats, 2 full sized sheets of true marine grade plywood will run you $200-$400, plus labor to cut and laminate, so $350 to $700.

Plywood is a composite.

What are/is the proposed "composite" that they might use?

The transom issues experienced in the last 20 years on Lund boats, are likely due to poor material choices, poor design, and shortcuts in manufacturing.

And the few hundred? failures at Lund, don't account for the 100,000's or millions across the market that have wood transoms but have not had issues or failures.

I currently have 3 Starcrafts, and 1 Alumacraft, the newest being a 1981 model. All have original wood transoms with no rot issues.

Maybe what needs to happen, is for people to stop buying the hype, and by a different brand of boat.

I think it's more then a few hundred, I have a friend that has a small shop in Ottertail county MN and he's done 9 or 10 in the last 3 years.

doubleheader

07-13-2016, 07:14 AM

I believe REW sees himself as a crusader as it pertains to the issue of wood transoms. This is far from his first comment on the subject.

GOS - yeah, there is not much said about the wood free construction on the Pro V Bass, or about the paint on the boat that is different than any of their other paints. Find one and look at it, close, it's not that hard to see the paint difference, but the transom is covered up pretty well. The whole transom is clad, so you have to really be looking to see it. I doubt you'd ever notice unless you were trying to look for it. There's a few other things about the boat that are unique too, that has very little/no print. Just pay attention when you look it over, you'll see some things. The boat filled with innovation.

It's been disclosed many times on WC the Lund Transoms that had problems were all during the Genmar ownership years. As soon as Brunswick owned Lund the material changed, their hasn't been (and I doubt there will be) any issues with the Lund transoms since about 2006 or 2007. REW knows that, not really sure why he still insists on lumping all Lunds into the same category. He's not really interested in a boat that is made out of aluminum anyway. Puzzling why he felt compelled to start the thread.

I didn't get an advanced look at the 2017's this year, so I'm not sure if the new 2075 Pro V Bass will be the same wood free construction. I know the engineers are very satisfied with the strength to weight of wood vs alternative materials. It's my feeling the wood transom is still the best material for the purpose, with the singular exception of public perception. The strength and durability testing was really extreme, I would not worry about the composite transom strength. Not like the products used by other mfgr's.

The model year change over is happening now. We'll see what the changes are for different models in within a short time.

lakedog

07-13-2016, 07:50 AM

I think it's more then a few hundred, I have a friend that has a small shop in Ottertail county MN and he's done 9 or 10 in the last 3 years.

Yeah ... I think the number of boats affected may be larger than the casual observer would imagine. I'll leave it at that.

Another angle to take on the technical discussion would be to design the wood in a manner that facilitates ease of replacement. One of the biggest cost drivers in obtaining a replacement is the amount time spent removing splash wells, gunwale trim, flotation ... components. If manufacturers added access it wouldn't be that hard to repair.

REW

07-13-2016, 08:53 AM

I bring up the subject, since Lund has already made the move to eliminate all of the wood in their glass boats.

The point is simple - wood rots, fiberglass and plastic and aluminum do not rot.

So, when you are in a marine environment - i.e. a wet environment, why use a material that has a known propensity for decay under the right conditions.

In today's world there are plenty of materials that may be used in the construction of a boat that do NOT have a propensity for decay, so why use wood any more?

Lund is already there with no wood in their glass bloats.
Alumacraft will no longer be using wood in their transoms by 2017.
Ranger no longer uses wood in their boats.
Skeeter, Warrior, and Yar craft don't use wood in their boats.
Most of the welded aluminum boats made in the northwest no longer use wood in their boats, so

why not get on Board - Lund - with the rest of your line of aluminum boats, and remove the wood in these boats as well.

I get it that one can do things to reduce the decay in wood and the current owners of Lund seem to be doing that to the best of their ability. But, if they go one step further, and completely remove wood from any part of their boat construction - there will not be any possibility of wood decay in their boats, whether it is the transom, floor, gunnel, or any other place where wood may currently be used.

I am not beating up on the Lund line of boats specifically, I am just asking the general question , why - in today's world - should ANY boat manufacture use wood in their lines of non wood boats.

Why shouldn't a boat made of metal last for 20-40 years with out needing any major maintenance. If there were not materials in the boat that did not decay and go soft or go away, it would be possible so that the owner of the new boat could be happy as well as any owners who later purchased the boat for their enjoyment.

This is true of any brand of boats.

However, you feel about it - have a really great summer day.

bobk

07-13-2016, 09:11 AM

Hot Runr Guy

07-13-2016, 09:18 AM

REW,
What year is your Mirrocraft 1701? I'd like to contact them, and see if any wood was used in it's construction.

HRG

MarkG

07-13-2016, 09:39 AM

Have been boating going on 37 years. Owned various brand named boats, some new, some used. All had wood transoms , including 3 Genmar generation Lunds, got good and long service out of all of them. No issues. Current boat is a 2001 Genmar Lund I bought new. Transom and floors still solid as the day I bought it.

I suppose it would be desirable to take all the wood out, but there might be unintended consequences, such as noisier, more vibration transmitted from the motor to the rest of the boat, etc. For myself wood or aluminum transom and floor would not be the deal maker or breaker. Once determining the boat I really wanted ,I would be paying more attention to who I bought it from and their reputation for skill and workmanship in rigging.

My own opinion is that most of the wood transom failures are likely due to careless rigging of motors, accessories,etc. or poor quality control in the build that allowed water to breach the wood to begin with, And as indicated some (likely unintended) poor choices in specific type of wood used. Although I have owned 2 Lunds that supposedly had these materials,
Neither suffered any such failures in 12 years of service for my previous Lund , 15 years on my current rig.

Not a Lund "loyalist" here, I just have had very good service AND performance from the ones I have owned. Better than MOST other brands, and I tend to buy again when a product has met or exceeded my expectations. So it will be the first one I look at, but certainly not the only one.( I also had excellent service from the Alumacraft I had owned,so will always consider one.)

But it's good to have choices,, so if a wood transom spooks you, then go buy a brand with an aluminum transom if that's what you need for piece of mind.

walley wana be

07-13-2016, 10:58 AM

Burr

07-13-2016, 11:08 AM

Like I said, if a wood in the Lund aluminum boat is the only thing keeping you from buying a new Lund - head on down to your favorite dealership and place your order - your day has come.

Somehow I suspect a new boat didn't just get sold. The post was wondering when Lund would remove wood from an aluminum boat - it happened last year, no need to wait for next year. Go buy one.

lakedog

07-13-2016, 11:14 AM

Not a Lund "loyalist" here, I just have had very good service AND performance from the ones I have owned. Better than MOST other brands, and I tend to buy again when a product has met or exceeded my expectations.

It's also worthy to note that despite the attention this issue has received fixing the transom on a 15 yr old boat is pretty far from, "the end of the world" even if it does occur. I wasn't happy to write the check when it happened, but contracted with a local shop and had my boat back in about three weeks or so ... right before the opener. I am still far far ahead where I would have been had I purchased it new. It's been a good boat and I would buy another. I don't expect I'll have to for quite some time.

rubicon3680

07-13-2016, 11:43 AM

As someone who is currently saving up and researching for a new boat purchase, I would like to see all manufactures go to a no rot transom. Cost isn't an excuse any more for the manufactures, especially when you look at the asking price for a new premium boat now days. The concern of a leaking rivet and wood, has ruled out most of the aluminum line-ups out for me, unless changes come before I get the money saved up. Even though I really like the actual boat layout of the pro-v, impacts & competitors.

I also worked for a (now out of business) Bass Boat manufacture in my early 20's. It is worth noting that not all composites are created equal. Some are plain garbage IMO. The stuff we used was terrible, nothing more than fiberglass dust glued together. While it was lite and wouldn't rot, it was also extremely brittle and wouldn't hold a screw at all (think drywall). It did ok with bolts, but you had to be careful not to compress the composite. Glassing over the top of it was the company's answer to this. If I had to chose between the composite we used and wood, the wood would win every time. However, that being said that are much better composites out now. Ranger's processing of building up multiple layers of glass mat is a very good one that will last a lifetime. There are also a lot of similar Pultrusion type products on the market available in all sorts of configurations that could easily be substituted in place of the wood on any aluminum boat out there.

CKM

07-13-2016, 04:03 PM

Well, those cost estimates are way off.
On todays wide and tall boats, 2 full sized sheets of true marine grade plywood will run you $200-$400, plus labor to cut and laminate, so $350 to $700.

Plywood is a composite.

What are/is the proposed "composite" that they might use?

The transom issues experienced in the last 20 years on Lund boats, are likely due to poor material choices, poor design, and shortcuts in manufacturing.

And the few hundred? failures at Lund, don't account for the 100,000's or millions across the market that have wood transoms but have not had issues or failures.

I currently have 3 Starcrafts, and 1 Alumacraft, the newest being a 1981 model. All have original wood transoms with no rot issues.

Maybe what needs to happen, is for people to stop buying the hype, and by a different brand of boat.you can walk into Menards and buy true marine grade plywood for $70 or so. did my boat with it two years ago. threw a scrap in a pail of water and removed it a few months later. dried it out and you'd never know

WallyWarrior

07-13-2016, 05:23 PM

As a manufacturer would you not be better off leaving wood? As long as your competitors are not offering a better product, all else equal, you are guaranteeing these boats will be out of service at some point and folks will buy a new one. From their point of view, why provide a product that we will never by again when it is possible get multiple sales over a lifetime?

On another level, as a smaller competitor, of course changing to a lifetime product makes sense. It is a selling point over the big guy.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

GOS

07-13-2016, 08:23 PM

GOS - yeah, there is not much said about the wood free construction on the Pro V Bass, or about the paint on the boat that is different than any of their other paints. Find one and look at it, close, it's not that hard to see the paint difference, but the transom is covered up pretty well. The whole transom is clad, so you have to really be looking to see it. I doubt you'd ever notice unless you were trying to look for it. There's a few other things about the boat that are unique too, that has very little/no print. Just pay attention when you look it over, you'll see some things. The boat filled with innovation.

It's been disclosed many times on WC the Lund Transoms that had problems were all during the Genmar ownership years. As soon as Brunswick owned Lund the material changed, their hasn't been (and I doubt there will be) any issues with the Lund transoms since about 2006 or 2007. REW knows that, not really sure why he still insists on lumping all Lunds into the same category. He's not really interested in a boat that is made out of aluminum anyway. Puzzling why he felt compelled to start the thread.

I didn't get an advanced look at the 2017's this year, so I'm not sure if the new 2075 Pro V Bass will be the same wood free construction. I know the engineers are very satisfied with the strength to weight of wood vs alternative materials. It's my feeling the wood transom is still the best material for the purpose, with the singular exception of public perception. The strength and durability testing was really extreme, I would not worry about the composite transom strength. Not like the products used by other mfgr's.

The model year change over is happening now. We'll see what the changes are for different models in within a short time.

Burr, Thanks for your info. I have a 2017 Pro Guide, w/the custom model trailer on order. Two weeks ago I stopped by the dealer and the salesman brought out info that listed the changes to the 2017 models. As far as the Pro Guide was concerned the only changes noted were: Premium travel cover, black wheels on the trailer along with a new style winchstand and double coating of the "Rhino" finish on the trailer vs single coating that is used now. No mention of any change of material to the transom or floors for that matter.
Thanks Again, Gregory

Hat Trick

07-13-2016, 08:59 PM

you can walk into Menards and buy true marine grade plywood for $70 or so. did my boat with it two years ago. threw a scrap in a pail of water and removed it a few months later. dried it out and you'd never know

Yep, I bought two sheets a few weeks ago.

I hate flo

07-13-2016, 10:52 PM

I think it's more then a few hundred, I have a friend that has a small shop in Ottertail county MN and he's done 9 or 10 in the last 3 years.

Yeah, we're not talking about replacing a transom, we're talking about cost difference in materials on a new boat.

I hate flo

07-13-2016, 11:03 PM

Yep, I bought two sheets a few weeks ago.

Yeah. Aurocoply, or anything that Menards carries, is not real marine grade plywood.
It is a good product, but it still has voids, and doesn't meet other specs of true marine grade.

Another point to consider, in my experience, the long lasting wood transoms are NOT encased in an aluminum or fiberglass box.
They are at least partially exposed on one side and the bottom, to allow water to drain and the wood to dry if it should become wet.

The inside of the transom on my 22" Chieftain was completely exposed, always dry, never rotted, it was 42 years old when I sold it.

Put wood in a metal box and add water, now put a cover on it, see it the wood absorbs the water, gets spongy, and/or rots.

Kevin23

07-13-2016, 11:25 PM

REW,
What year is your Mirrocraft 1701? I'd like to contact them, and see if any wood was used in it's construction.

HRG

Well it would 90-94 and I doubt the hull construction changed in those years.

MERCONLY

10-09-2016, 11:34 AM

Burr

10-10-2016, 01:45 PM

So Since everyone is Cheering for the Composite Transoms offered on SOME models not all has ANYONE seen or touched this transom material, what is it, is it the same composite that is used and reinforced with Fiberglass on the Glass Lunds? If so that Coosa is not very strong on its own, it needs the Fiberglass reinforcement to make it work, but Coosa CANNOT hold a candle to Compressed FIberglass like used in Bass Cats and Yar Crafts, makes Pultruded Fiberglass look weak, Pultruted is only what 1/2 inch thick

I've seen it, I've touched it, don't know what Coosa is, don't know if it is Coosa, and if it was don't know what the good and bad would be.

I'm familiar with some of the testing Lund put the composite transom through, and the results - which were extremely positive.

My funny mind thinks there may be some type of legal process that still has to run it's course before much is disclosed - like patents, etc. Just a guess based on the roll-out.

The material was covered over pretty well in the boats - makes me wonder if there was something to that?

Why do you think it is Coosa? What is Coosa? Is your source really credible? Have you witnessed any 1875 Pro V Bass boats with failed transoms? You don't seem very optimistic.

Crackback

10-10-2016, 05:02 PM

Since the Lund Glass boats now all use composite transoms, is there any move on the part of Lund to incorporate NON WOOD transoms in all of their aluminum boat line?

In today's world of aluminum boats, why is any manufacturer using a product that will certainly rot in its use in the boat?

Yes, I understand all of the arguments about wood being the perfect material, cost etc. But still - wood with the potential to rot used in a marine environment?

A wood transom costs the manufacturer $40. A composite transom costs the manufacturer $300.

But, the composite transom never requires any warranty service. Wouldn't the manufacturer be better off by going to a non wood transom?

--------------
As I understand it - Alumacraft will be going to a non wood transom in all of their deep V boats in 2017. Will Lund follow the right path and eliminate the wood in their line of aluminum

boats?
Same thing with their floors? Why have any wood in their floors that will also get soft and rot over time, when the floors can be made of braced aluminum with no wood in it at all either.

Be safe

The problem isn't in using wood material for transoms. The Big problem is they use wood that is not treated like the typical "green" pressure treated lumber you would use for deck material. I wouldn't give you 12 cents for any lumber considered marine grade. A Marine grade rating is a JOKE! That marine grade crap will rot out just as quick as if you used "white" untreated lumber. As far as a boat floor are considered, all they have to do is use "Green treated" 3/4 plywood and the rot out problem is solved! A sheet of 3/4 4 X 8 pressure treated plywood will run you about 30 bucks retail at you local lumbar yard. What do the mfg's use you ask? They use 1/2 inch "marine grade" mostly in 3 ply plywood! ROT OUT HERE WE COME!

Another thing that hastens transom rot, is leaving your boat outside with little or no covering to be exposed to the 4 season elements. I have pressure treated deck boards that are 20 years old and are as hard as nails and have no wood rot whatsoever. Why anybody would buy a an expensive boat at today's prices and not garage or pole barn it when it is not in use, totally baffles my mind. I have 20 year old aluminum 16 ft tiller boat and I can can count on one hand and my toes how many days it has been left out exposed to the elements. But then again, that is why they sell new boat seats and upholstering people stay in business all year long. Now with synthetic deck boards, WHICH YOU NEVER HAVE TO SEAL, coming down in price as they are just 10-15% higher than using traditional "green" pressure treated deck boards. A boat MFG using "marine" grade lumber garbage is ripping people off!

BreezyPoint

10-10-2016, 05:22 PM

The problem isn't in using wood material for transoms. The Big problem is they use wood that is not treated like the typical "green" pressure treated lumber you would use for deck material. I wouldn't give you 12 cents for any lumber considered marine grade. A Marine grade rating is a JOKE! That marine grade crap will rot out just as quick as if you used "white" untreated lumber. As far as a boat floor are considered, all they have to do is use "Green treated" 3/4 plywood and the rot out problem is solved! A sheet of 3/4 4 X 8 pressure treated plywood will run you about 30 bucks retail at you local lumbar yard. What do the mfg's use you ask? They use 1/2 inch "marine grade" mostly in 3 ply plywood! ROT OUT HERE WE COME!

Another thing that hastens transom rot, is leaving your boat outside with little or no covering to be exposed to the 4 season elements. I have pressure treated deck boards that are 20 years old and are as hard as nails and have no wood rot whatsoever. Why anybody would buy a an expensive boat at today's prices and not garage or pole barn it when it is not in use, totally baffles my mind. I have 20 year old aluminum 16 ft tiller boat and I can can count on one hand and my toes how many days it has been left out exposed to the elements. But then again, that is why they sell new boat seats and upholstering people stay in business all year long. Now with synthetic deck boards, WHICH YOU NEVER HAVE TO SEAL, coming down in price as they are just 10-15% higher than using traditional "green" pressure treated deck boards. A boat MFG using "marine" grade lumber garbage is ripping people off!

I have three 2x2 sheets of marine grade plywood that I put under my boat tires to keep them from depressing the blacktop. I don't know what kind you purchased, but these have been sitting out in the elements for more than ten years and are still going strong. Marine grade plywood is different, better and works in damp applications. There is nothing wrong with marine grade plywood.

I also leave my boat out all year long, covered. My previous boat sat out 20 years with no rot. My current boat is going on five years.

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

REW

10-11-2016, 09:34 AM

For the folks who claim that the reason that their transom does not rot is because they have not let it sit out in the elements.

The transom board is housed between two layers of aluminum - front and back - so what difference would it make at all - with a time difference before the board would rot.

But, glad that what ever you have done - if your transom board is still sound - great job.

Be safe

Burr

10-11-2016, 10:17 AM

The problem isn't in using wood material for transoms. The Big problem is they use wood that is not treated like the typical "green" pressure treated lumber you would use for deck material. I wouldn't give you 12 cents for any lumber considered marine grade. A Marine grade rating is a JOKE! That marine grade crap will rot out just as quick as if you used "white" untreated lumber. As far as a boat floor are considered, all they have to do is use "Green treated" 3/4 plywood and the rot out problem is solved! A sheet of 3/4 4 X 8 pressure treated plywood will run you about 30 bucks retail at you local lumbar yard. What do the mfg's use you ask? They use 1/2 inch "marine grade" mostly in 3 ply plywood! ROT OUT HERE WE COME!

Another thing that hastens transom rot, is leaving your boat outside with little or no covering to be exposed to the 4 season elements. I have pressure treated deck boards that are 20 years old and are as hard as nails and have no wood rot whatsoever. Why anybody would buy a an expensive boat at today's prices and not garage or pole barn it when it is not in use, totally baffles my mind. I have 20 year old aluminum 16 ft tiller boat and I can can count on one hand and my toes how many days it has been left out exposed to the elements. But then again, that is why they sell new boat seats and upholstering people stay in business all year long. Now with synthetic deck boards, WHICH YOU NEVER HAVE TO SEAL, coming down in price as they are just 10-15% higher than using traditional "green" pressure treated deck boards. A boat MFG using "marine" grade lumber garbage is ripping people off!

Green treated would be a fatal choice. The metals used in treating wood are corrosive to Aluminum. If you used green treated you could watch the aluminum corrode to nothing in a very short time. Hopefully nobody takes your suggestions, in either flooring or transom repairs.

DW

10-11-2016, 03:04 PM

There have been many threads on how to keep wood core transoms dry such as proper seal of through hulls and scuppers, proper seals on screws, proper seal of the transom cap, etc. additionally, there are constant reminders to thoroughly dry the bilge in order to save the floor from rot, and which is also important to dry wood transoms that are, by design, routinely exposed directly to the bilge without protection by an aluminum skin.

Another factor that is not ever mentioned is relative humidity. Humidity level affects the rate and the extent to which wood will dry, and the % of water that is retained when the air and wood reaches equilibrium. My boat is stored in the West where humidity level is very low, and at high elevation which accelerates evaporation. However, many of the boats are stored in the Midwest which has high humidity year round and where wood cannot completely dry. With this in mind it is important to keep boats covered and dry, and I think it would be valuable to store a boat in heated space above freezing at least for a few weeks in the winter in order complete a drying cycle at least once a year.

Crackback

10-11-2016, 09:31 PM

I have three 2x2 sheets of marine grade plywood that I put under my boat tires to keep them from depressing the blacktop. I don't know what kind you purchased, but these have been sitting out in the elements for more than ten years and are still going strong. Marine grade plywood is different, better and works in damp applications. There is nothing wrong with marine grade plywood.

I also leave my boat out all year long, covered. My previous boat sat out 20 years with no rot. My current boat is going on five years.

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

Then if your marine grade crap is so good why are boat transoms and floors rotting out Son? What you have is 99% most likely "treated" pressure wood! It is because marine grade isn't worth the wood its is made from. Leaving your boat outside shows No pride ownership....does your 50K pick-up truck sit out outside...my boat, expensive vehicles and motor home are stored inside when not in use.

Crackback

10-11-2016, 09:37 PM

Green treated would be a fatal choice. The metals used in treating wood are corrosive to Aluminum. If you used green treated you could watch the aluminum corrode to nothing in a very short time. Hopefully nobody takes your suggestions, in either flooring or transom repairs.

Wrong...arsenic was eliminated from pressure treated wood 25 years ago. there are many coatings to effective neutralize that type of reaction between pressure treated wood and aluminum. so what you propose is to let the "marine grade crap" rot out and then come here and complain about wood rot in boats....sorry I'm not following your logic....If one had too, you could coat the pressure treated plywood with a fiberglass skin/coating if a person was concerned about it....problem solved.

Crackback

10-11-2016, 09:45 PM

Yep, I bought two sheets a few weeks ago.

Then the question that still is not answered is why are transoms and floors rotting out if the salvation to wood rot is to use marine grade plywood???? So we must have a bunch of rip -off boat mfg's using white wood with some Thompson's water seal sprayed on? Fiberglass the the wood would be a better solution or even fiberglass the pressure treated wood. Marine grade wood is a rip-off!

MarkG

10-12-2016, 08:33 AM

Then the question that still is not answered is why are transoms and floors rotting out if the salvation to wood rot is to use marine grade plywood???? So we must have a bunch of rip -off boat mfg's using white wood with some Thompson's water seal sprayed on? Fiberglass the the wood would be a better solution or even fiberglass the pressure treated wood. Marine grade wood is a rip-off!

There are various qualities and grades of "Marine Grade Plywood" . It's not just about being rot resistant. They are rot resistant to varying degrees, but actually the whole idea behind marine wood is more about STRENGTH and weight as determined by how the plys are assembled and glued together.

It's different than common construction grade plywoods which should never be used in a boat. It's all about strength. It's likely why the industry overall has been slow at evolving into other materials for transoms that may or may not be as strong, and have other unintended consequences.

Quality build, rigging and care also figure into it. Some percentage of failures are due to either poor construction or poor rigging. Despite the incidents we hear of, about failures,some of which we know why they happened,( Lund's mistaken specific choice of a certain type for a period,as well as what seemed to be poorly sealed transom construction ) the overall track record and longevity of Marine plywood is good, and failure percentage quite low. Build the transom correctly, rig it correctly,keep the water out, should and can last a lifetime. There are plenty that do.

REW

10-12-2016, 08:58 AM

Crackback:
I assume that you have read this article:

http://www.popularmechanics.com/home/outdoor-projects/how-to/a3103/your-guide-to-working-with-pressure-treated-lumber-15655848/

Especially this paragraph:

Many pressure-treated lumber manufacturers recommend using only stainless steel or hot-dipped galvanized nails, screws, bolts, anchors, and connectors when working with the material. And because these new wood treatments are especially corrosive to aluminum, it's best to use vinyl or copper flashing, or to wrap the wood in a protective rubberized membrane.

Note the sentence:

And because these new wood treatments are especially corrosive to aluminum

--------------------------------
Do NOT use common pressure treated wood for transom wood replacement!!

Burr

10-12-2016, 01:40 PM

Crackback:
I assume that you have read this article:

http://www.popularmechanics.com/home/outdoor-projects/how-to/a3103/your-guide-to-working-with-pressure-treated-lumber-15655848/

--------------------------------
Do NOT use common pressure treated wood for transom wood replacement!!

X2.

BreezyPoint

10-13-2016, 12:48 PM

Then if your marine grade crap is so good why are boat transoms and floors rotting out Son? What you have is 99% most likely "treated" pressure wood! It is because marine grade isn't worth the wood its is made from. Leaving your boat outside shows No pride ownership....does your 50K pick-up truck sit out outside...my boat, expensive vehicles and motor home are stored inside when not in use.

I debated if I was going to respond to you, but I couldn't resist...you are pretty omniscient if you could discern all that from my post. I guess, by your definition, I have no pride of ownership, but I must say, my F150 sat outside for over 13 years...no rust, when I traded in, dealer was amazed at the quality of my vehicle...my original boat, a 1987 Lund has sat outside as well and is still going strong and no, the plywood was not pressure treated. Since you don't understand basic chemistry, I will describe it to you, rust, corrosion, and battery discharge are exothermic reactions. The basic rule of thumb is that exothermic reactions are reduced by 50% for every 20 degree drop in temperature, so by storing everything inside, you are actually increasing the rate of those negative effects. It is actually better from the perspective of rust and corrosion to leave outside in cold winter temperatures. I'm glad you have a pole barn structure to store all your things in, but it has little to do with pride of ownership.

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

numb3rulz

10-26-2016, 08:34 PM

Green treated removed Arsenic from the treating process 15 years ago and replaced it with copper as a fungicide. Copper oxidizes aluminum, turns it into a white powder in fact. So if your not using a non AC2 green treated wood (very hard to find) your just ruining your aluminum boat.

Green treated plywood is a inferior to a good quality marine grade as marine grade has usually twice the number of laminate layers and no voids. So if you don't mind a dissolving hull and still decide to use a AC2, your newly replaced aluminum eating wood will quickly warp if you don't use a top quality adhesive and fasteners every 6 inches.

Green treated wood is cheaply made and has many voids to make it lighter and cheaper than a good quality marine grade wood. When continually exposed to moisture, voids hold moisture and begin to swell over time. So if you don't mind your new AC2 wood is eating your boat and warping badly your probably not going to notice its blistering and falling apart.

A good quality marine wood still needs to be protected with a top quality water proofer.

And if you really cared about whats in your transom, you'd buy a Ranger and fish without a care.

Black98TransAM

10-26-2016, 09:45 PM

Wrong...arsenic was eliminated from pressure treated wood 25 years ago. there are many coatings to effective neutralize that type of reaction between pressure treated wood and aluminum. so what you propose is to let the "marine grade crap" rot out and then come here and complain about wood rot in boats....sorry I'm not following your logic....If one had too, you could coat the pressure treated plywood with a fiberglass skin/coating if a person was concerned about it....problem solved.

This is wrong. AC2 treated playwood should not be used with anything other than stainless steel. Sold the stuff for 6+ years.