G’day all,
I was hoping for some advice (as I’m pretty ignorant!). Slowly (!) building a Beteau FL 26.
Jigs up, stations are cut, but the current stumbling block is the transom.
The design calls for 9mm ply, bent around a frame … easy enough … until I started thinking …

I was planning on 2 x 4mm marine ply bent and epoxied ( ~ a week later I am wondering if 2 x 4mm + 1 or 2mm veneer on top.)
A decorative Australian native, something that will come up nicely under a clear varnish coat …

Is it feasible?
Is it a good idea?
Any suggestions on what could be a good/pretty choice of wood?

Many thanks – it is the first time I have been ‘brave’ enough to post here, although I have – immensely – enjoyed reading and learning from some of the older posts.

Cheers
Matt

A decorative veneer is a common and good looking addition to most transoms. I do them often enough. As to actual species, well this is a personal choice, but the veneer can be used as part of the structure, though you need really good veneer/substrate contact and bond to do this or employed as an addition to the structure. Vacuum bagging can insure a structural bond, but most don't have this equipment. If you don't then add the veneer to the completed transom face as an additional layer. If on the other hand, you can insure it will have a solid, structural bond, then you can subtract the veneer thickness from the transom substrate, which will make bending it around a little easier. Of course I'm speaking of typical veneer thicknesses here, which are less then 4 mm usually. If using especially think veneers, consider subtracting only 70% of it's thickness from the transom substrate.

Thanks PAR

Much appreciated.