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HI Own Tailwind a 1982 CP25 #302 I've purchased a ladder and need to add to the transom. Any ideas of adding a backing plate. It seems like there's not much thickness to the transom. I'll find out tomorrow when I drill the first hole. Any suggestions would be welcomed. thanks, Kirk
First I think it is generally agreed that the Capri transom is pretty lightly constructed. I would definitely use a backing plate and the largest one you can fit in there to capture as many of your fasteners as possible. Ideally I would fiberglass the backing plate in place if I wanted a long and trouble free service life from the ladder installation, but that depends on your long range plans for the boat. I use a hook over the gunnel ladder which is very clumsy at best with my 230 lbs, but it lets me get it out of the way and stored otherwise. Good Luck.
The transom is 1.75" thick. It literally has a 2x4 around the scuppers that he brass scuppers are run though... those boards are only around fastening points. My suggestion is to install beckson ports on the inside and use G10 as a backer plate (as Joe suggests)... The ports give you means to tighten as the bolts loosen over time. Also while you are there add epoxy to the boards around the scuppers, they aren't treated I believe. The transom is 2 layers of glass, and gelcoat with places of blocking in between for stuff like the scuppers and the like.
Sorry Kirk my email is a mess (just setup yahoo mail and 4 other accounts to retrieve to Thunderbird, and its all new for me - Linux is new for me, so I'm still learning) and I cannot find it to resend.. so I posted here as best I remember what I typed :)
Finished my boarding/swim ladder. It was easy, the cost was less than $100, it's stainless steel and it rated up to 300lbs. The transom on my CP25 is about 1/2" thick fiberglass all the way - It's reinforced in areas where it attaches and no need to open up any ports for this project. There were two holes where the prior owner had 12 volt plugs for the solar-panels that I covered with a temporary plate until I fiberglass and paint the hull. I purchased a piece of scrap plastic to use as a backing plate and trim pieces to make the ladder flush against the transom. It's easy to get to get onto the ladder from the water but one big step up on to the boat so I might add a little rock-climbing toe step where my patch is or step on the motor mount.
I have pictures to show but can't seem to upload them to the thread.
Notice: The advice given on this site is based upon individual or quoted experience, yours may differ. The Officers, Staff and members of this site only provide information based upon the concept that anyone utilizing this information does so at their own risk and holds harmless all contributors to this site.