Back to Schooner Mahdee Transom

Click a picture to see a larger view.


When we first saw Mahdee in February 2006, we could see that her quarter logs were basically gone and that her transom planking would need to be replaced. We became more convinced that the actual transom frame would need to be replaced after seeing that it had been poorly repaired in the past. Further, John didn't feel the old transom framing was as sturdy in design as the rest of the boat. We agreed and John set out to replace the old oak transom framing with purpleheart.

Here on this page are the first pics of the project as it was worked on. The project is complete and later pics to come soon!

Above left and center: scoping out the patterns and purpleheart on hand
Above right : the temporary pattern taken before the countertimber was replaced
Below left: The starboard side ring timber is replaced with purpleheart, the two knees on each side of the countertimber were white oak, but they have been replaced with angelique. The port ring timber is still the old oak. While John is working on the transom, David is laminating in the new frames in the cockpit area. Here, you can see every other frame has been replaced.
Below center: With a good supply of purpleheart on hand, John was able to replace the framing and even carve out some very creative reinforcements for the joints.
Below right:
Test fitting the reinforcement on the starboard ring timber.

   

 

Above Left: the old ring timber still in place.
Above center two pics: the knees on each side of the countertimber. The aft end of the countertimber has not yet been shaped to the angle of the transom.
Above Right: the new ring timber is clamped in place.

  

 

Far left (above): this picture shows the old quarter log on the starboard side as well as two sawn frames that will be replaced as part of this project  
Left (above):
a view of the port quarter timber before its replacement
Far left (below): Starborad side showing partial replacement of frames and the old quarter log is still in place
Left (below): The new quarter log is made of African Mahogany. Here, it is test fit for length before additional shaping

Below (top row) left, center, and right: John is working with the starboard quarterlog and ring timber.
Below (bottom row) left: Ring timber on bench for measurement.
Below (bottom row) center: Overall view of the transom project.
Below (bottom row) right: Port ring timber.