deck/transom glassing question - tape vs continuous sheet.

[alexh]

I just picked up a privateer 1600 shell in need of a new transom stringers, deck. Since most of the work will be done alone, I began to think about the easiest way to tackle this project and had a few questions. Materials will be 3/4 mg ply stringers, 5/8" deck and two layers of 5/8" for the transom. vinylester used throughout. re gel the outside and inside. Low maintenance tiller skiff is the goal.

It would seem that glassing in a new transom core (plywood in my case) would be strongest with several sheets of 1708 laid on once the core is set. BUT, Since im working alone, it would be easier to create a fully finished core with 1708/1808 layers already bonded to the plywood and then simply bed the core to the transom and tape the edges with several layers of 1708/1808.
All things being equal, I would think that the taped in transom core would actually be stiffer due to the extra layers at the transom edges. The only argument against this could be ensuring the areas to be taped are prepped properly for an effective bond since it will most likely NOT be a wet on wet layup.

I have the same exact argument for the deck/hullside attachement as well. My last rebuild I used a continual sheets left to right to glass in the deck. Working single handedly with areas that large lend itself to problems with wetout and drying times. Id like to avoid that this time by just taping in a fully glassed deck.

It is common to encase plywood stringers with fiberglass and then tape them to the hull. With that said, should there be any issue to do the same with the transom core/deck? Its fairly rare to see a continual single sheet of glass wrapping the stringer to the hull, which some could argue as ideal, but not really necessary.

Not trying to start a heated debate, just looking for insight to my questions.

Thanks,
alex.