Transom bang cap: replace with ss, vinyl or glass it over?

[mr_mbuna]

I have a 2011 Freedom 275. The original factory aluminum bang cap over the transom has corroded and needs to be replaced. I know several of you all have had similar issues. I'm wondering your thoughts on replacing with stainless steel or vinyl (which I believe Grady uses on newer models) or having a shop enclose the top of the transom in fiberglass permanently.

I saw a beautiful stainless steel cap that @Sdfish put on his boat (https://www.greatgrady.com/threads/transom-cap-bang-plate.25669/page-2) and I'm currently leaning in that direction but wondering whether to install a straight bar or stainless steel side pieces as well.

Some photos of my transom cap are attached.

 

[Fishtales]

Going thru this now. I'd glass it if your going to take the engines off. Prob not that much more and a better route.

(1) Transom Rebuild - The Saga Begins | Grady White Boat Owner's Forum - Grady White Forum (greatgrady.com)

 

[mr_mbuna]

Why in the world do they not glass it from the factory??

 

[Summertop511]

Why in the world do they not glass it from the factory??

I know crazy right? I took mine off and sealed the fiberglass with 5200. Then replaced it with what they use today to look oem. Doesn’t warp or anything from the sun and looks clean and same color as gel coat.

 

[Jzeno186]

I did mine last year, I hoisted the engine off left it connected. The fiberglassed the seam and replaced it with a stainless steel angle. Came our perfect.

 

[Andrew93]

When mounting new to us outboards the cap was in need of attention. For the ease of the project we replaced with a new aluminum cap bedded in 5200 and also some starboard spacers so the motors didn't crush the new cap. Saw the idea on this site recently and it worked well. The starboard was 1/4" and it could have been thicker to clear the cap, it just barely touched as it is.

 

[mr_mbuna]

I am about to move forward with this project. Still deciding between replacing with the updated OEM vinyl cap ($500 for labor - Grady sent me the part for free), replacing it with a custom stainless steel angle piece ($900) or getting it glassed over ($1300).

I read that Grady's rationale for leaving an unfinished transom edge was to allow for flex and some people that have used 5200 or glassed it over have seen gelcoat cracks appear over time.

Does anyone else have additional experience or thoughts?

 

[seasick]

I would avoid a stainless cap. If electrolysis occurs your motor will become the sacrificial anode to the cap. So, aluminum cap or plastic.
Use a good sealant under the cap and not necessarily an adhesive. The cap for all intents and purposes is not structural and isn't going anywhere but it can be stressed by transon movement so it needs something that can flex to seal it.
Just my 2 cents.

 

[wadeatl]

When I repowered my 275 I ordered a new cap directly from GW that seems be made from some type of vinyl. It has held up well for ~ 5 years.

 

[Summertop511]

Clean under old cap, seal with 5200, replace with new vinyl cap from Grady. Done and costs less then $20 and can still flex when hammering down lol. Oh, and looks factory.

 

[SmokyMtnGrady]

I love Grady and all. They pride themselves on listening to their customers to make improvements in their boats. I guess new boats having composite transoms and stringers is listening to their customers but why is it Grady seems to be , I say seems to be, the only ones with this cap issue? It was their achelllies heel of their boats as far as water intrusion goes. I suppose putting a vinyl cap that has some flex to it versus aluminum , helped solve the issue ?

 

[DennisG01]

I agree, Bob. I don't understand why this was a problem for as long as it was. It's not like this is a hard thing to address/fix, either. As you noted, plenty of other manufacturers have been doing it better for a long, long time. The problem that can happen with an aluminum cap is that the stainless screws will eventually eat away at the hole in the aluminum that they are secured through. An SS cap obviousy won't have that problem, but then you have to take precautions near the Al engine bracket. My parents just bought an older 192 Tournament and I'll be removing the aluminum cap - still haven't decided if I'll glass the area and/or use the vinyl cap.

 

[mr_mbuna]

I dropped the boat off yesterday to get the transom cap glassed over permanently as well as taking care of a few other gel coat issues. I'll share photos here as they come in.

 

[Iceman2010]

My new motors go on next week, Grady sent me the vinyl cap for free and will replace it with that

 

[Fishtales]

I understand the factory has switched to Plexus adhesive for the joint. This should greatly improve the bond over time.

 

[mr_mbuna]

Engine off, trim off (click to expand)




Starting to prep. You can see the 1/2" aluminum plate embedded in the transom in these shots.




Will post more photos as things progress

 

[mr_mbuna]

New glass in place

 

[Stephnic]

That looks good now you don’t have to worry about it anymore.

 

[Fishtales]

Good job. Hopefully there was no intrusion prior to the work.

 

[SkunkBoat]

Beautiful. Glass is the correct answer.