reinforcing transom

[joho5]

i have a 14' Jon boat that I pulled the transom the other day to reinforce / replace the wood. My transon would actually flex when the motor was throttled, which then would affect the trim of the motor.

So, I decided to replace it and try to possibly reinforce it a bit. First off, the previous owner had that chip, cheap board as the transon and it wasnt bolted that good or even.

I was just going to actually buy some good plywood and replace the wood and distribute the bolts equally and that should do wonders, but I was wondering if there is anything else you guys have done in the past to reinforce it to make it more stable.

or, is there a way to make a fully aluminum transom by welding?

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: reinforcing transom

A few things.

How much power?

Does it have knee braces? How about corner braces?

All aluminum would be a waste of good money. The wood will work fine and last quite a long time.

I think to have this best answered we should move this to the restoration section.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: reinforcing transom

a picture of you boat and transom area would make advice much easier.
instructions here: http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?t=285637

 

[5150abf]

Re: reinforcing transom

Even with new wood your transom will flex a bit, you really don't want it not to, it helps to distribute the force of the motor.

You have to be really careful welding on aluminum, espacially something thin like a jon boat, welds tend to crack along the edge especially when they are constantly being loaded and unloaded as in a transom.( have welded alum. for 21 years)

On a 14' jon I can't imagiine you have a huge engine so I think just replacing the wood will do fine.

Use exterior grade 3/4'' plywood, cut 2 peices to shape and glue them together with Gorilla glue or something similar.

Mount the new transom and drill all your hole then pull it and put a good waterproofer on the entire thing, especially the holes and edges, bolt it in and you are good for years.

Good luck.

 

[sschefer]

Re: reinforcing transom

Even with new wood your transom will flex a bit, you really don't want it not to, it helps to distribute the force of the motor.

You have to be really careful welding on aluminum, espacially something thin like a jon boat, welds tend to crack along the edge especially when they are constantly being loaded and unloaded as in a transom.( have welded alum. for 21 years)

On a 14' jon I can't imagiine you have a huge engine so I think just replacing the wood will do fine.

Use exterior grade 3/4'' plywood, cut 2 peices to shape and glue them together with Gorilla glue or something similar.

Mount the new transom and drill all your hole then pull it and put a good waterproofer on the entire thing, especially the holes and edges, bolt it in and you are good for years.

Good luck.

That's great advice, the only thing I might add is a commonly made mistake. Don't run the transom all the way to the bottom of the boat. Leave it about 1-1/2 inches from the bottom. This will prevent it from wicking up water should your sealing method fail.

 

[oops!]

Re: reinforcing transom

as mentioned, pics would help a lot.

you say the transom "flexes" with the motor on.......the question is, how much .

all the above advise is good. knees and corner caps on a normally sound peice of alumunum are all that would be normally done.....anything else would be over kill.

 

[oops!]

Re: reinforcing transom

A few things.

How much power?

Does it have knee braces? How about corner braces?

All aluminum would be a waste of good money. The wood will work fine and last quite a long time.

I think to have this best answered we should move this to the restoration section.

hey bob.......nice to see you down here in dry dock