by TassiePete on Tue Sep 08, 2020 4:05 pm
The thing about glass is that it only works in tension. The glass on the transom overlapping onto the panels on the outside will help to keep the transom from being ripped out of the boat ( although I am not sure what might ever cause such a thing ). The glass tape on the inside of the joint doesn't do much.
On the thin panels, the glass gives the structure its strength ( in some sense, the plywood is only there to keep the glass in place ). The transom is a thick chunk of plywood supported by cleats, seat-backs, etc. and has plenty of strength in itself.
When fitting the transom, some screws will be necessary to keep things in place while applying the epoxy glue. I have decided to leave a few stainless steel screws in there. They are completely embedded and they will outlast most of the other bits on the boats (and myself). The screws certainly don't do any harm and I am sure the boat won't fall apart without them ...