I am replacing some transom wood.  Thought about running a bead of liquid nail on the backside of the wood to seal it against the aluminum.

Any thoughts yes or no on doing this.  

I personaly don't think you will gain much more than you would with screws or nuts and bolts. You have to have some way of pulling the wood up to the boat with liqiud nail behind it.

I would seal the wood completely with resin and not worry too much about trying to glue it to the aluminum.  Unless you use some type of epoxy that's made to stick to aluminum, like Marine-Tex, I doubt you will get a long lasting bond anyway.

I am going to use the nuts and bolts also. Just wondered about sealing the back of the wood with some adhesive sealant like a good grade of Liquid nail.

I am going to use the nuts and bolts also. Just wondered about sealing the back of the wood with some adhesive sealant like a good grade of Liquid nail.

Hmmm..good question.  Are there any structural engineers in the house?

As a structural engineer I can totally confuse y'all by saying an adhesive and a sealant are not the same, instead I'll simply say use an adhesive or sealant in conjunction with the fasteners.

As a structural engineer I can totally confuse y'all by saying an adhesive and a sealant are not the same, instead I'll simply say use an adhesive or sealant in conjunction with the fasteners.

I interpreted his thoughts for an adhesive was to bolster the strength of the transom.  But maybe he wants to seal it against leaks?  32251, What's your goal?

Also, If you use a strong adhesive, you might never get the wood off again if you ever need to replace it again.  Something to think about.

I am replacing some transom wood. Thought about running a bead of liquid nail on the backside of the wood to seal it against the aluminum.

Any thoughts yes or no on doing this.

As a structural engineer I can totally confuse y'all by saying an adhesive and a sealant are not the same, instead I'll simply say use an adhesive or sealant in conjunction with the fasteners.

I interpreted his thoughts for an adhesive was to bolster the strength of the transom. But maybe he wants to seal it against leaks? 32251, What's your goal?

Also, If you use a strong adhesive, you might never get the wood off again if you ever need to replace it again. Something to think about.

If the wood ever rots like it did when I got this boat, there would be no problem geting it off!!

I just wanted to add as much strength as I could.  I can see no reason to NOT put some sealant between the wood and the aluminum.  I was going to use some construction adhesive like liquid nail for a strong bond.  I am using some very nice mahagony plywood that I have had for a long time.  

Id have to read up on the stuff, but look at a product called Polyseamseal.  Ive used it on numerous "moist" locations, such as bathrooms and sauna rooms.  As a disclaimer though...Im a Contractor, not a Structural engineer!  ;D

A sealant adds no structural value since its intended purpose is to seal a gap between to materials; most sealants never harden.

There are numerous adhesive available on the market that would fit your application but I would suggest Loctite® Power Grab® Adhesive over the Liquid Nails.

swilly78, I was a carpenter long before I was an engineer

http://www.loctiteproducts.com/products/detail.asp?catid=45&subid=113&plid=482

http://www.polyseamseal.com/allpurpose.shtml