On hull #359, I discovered through an accident the makeup of the transom. While out sailing in heavy air (35 kts with gusts to 50) and putting a reef in the main, we didnt see a log until we were on top of it. The log stopped the boat as it went under the keel. As we surged over the log with the keel, the log rose up and struck the lowest point on the rudder. I heard a distinct crunching noise. One of my crew looked over the stern and saw that the lower gudgeon bracket had bowed outward approx 5/8". We didnt see any other stern damage at the time. Plus, with the reef in, the helm was well balanced and unloaded. So we finished the race and returned to the slip. Thats when I discovered the tear in the stern fiberglass around the upper gudgeon bracket. On hull #359, there is a core about 6" wide running from the top of the stern panel to the bottom apparently to stiffen the panel at the gudgeon supports. The rest of the panel is solid glass. No evidence of coring. There was no coring at the rip in the glass and the panel remained the same thickness from side to side and top to bottom.
This doesnt tell me that the stern panel was made separate from the hull halves but it does tell me that a leak at the exhaust should not damage the core. Its in solid glass.
In any case, insurance and a good shop repaired my stern to my satisfaction, except of course for the increase in premiums.
