Hi all,
Recently purchased my first boat. It is a 1966 (or so) 14' flat bottom Jon boat. It is approximately 4-5' wide. I am truly a novice at boating and am looking to do things right, the first time. As this boat will be used to run my small kids around ponds and small rivers for fishing purposes. It came with a 4hp Johnson outboard, Minn-Kota trolling motor, and a Pflueger 6V/12V trolling motor.
I have been reading a lot on this site for tips and tricks to get this up and running. I am looking to paint the exterior and get everything going.
But first, I need to replace the transom. The old wood is rotten, with the top half missing. Several questions and/or issues from my perspective:
1. Previous owner "liquid nails" a section of wood on top of the lower half of transom and against the hull - what might be the best method to remove the "liquid nails"?
2. I've read a lot about re-revitting things back in. However, where the braces and other accessories go through the wood transom, the rivets are 3/4" long or so... They appear to have a washer and hammered look on the bucking side. Can I find similar rivets to replace these or are they not in use any longer? If I can't acquire them what is the best thing to replace them with?
3. Can I use a piece of nylon like plastic as a transom instead of wood? Would it be more prudent to do some other modifications like adding some aluminum angle or other stock instead? Are there weight issues to be concerned about?
4. If I don't want to use marine grade plywood, what other wood alternatives are there?
Thanks for the patience and always any and help is appreciated. Rick
Recently purchased my first boat. It is a 1966 (or so) 14' flat bottom Jon boat. It is approximately 4-5' wide. I am truly a novice at boating and am looking to do things right, the first time. As this boat will be used to run my small kids around ponds and small rivers for fishing purposes. It came with a 4hp Johnson outboard, Minn-Kota trolling motor, and a Pflueger 6V/12V trolling motor.
I have been reading a lot on this site for tips and tricks to get this up and running. I am looking to paint the exterior and get everything going.
But first, I need to replace the transom. The old wood is rotten, with the top half missing. Several questions and/or issues from my perspective:
1. Previous owner "liquid nails" a section of wood on top of the lower half of transom and against the hull - what might be the best method to remove the "liquid nails"?
2. I've read a lot about re-revitting things back in. However, where the braces and other accessories go through the wood transom, the rivets are 3/4" long or so... They appear to have a washer and hammered look on the bucking side. Can I find similar rivets to replace these or are they not in use any longer? If I can't acquire them what is the best thing to replace them with?
3. Can I use a piece of nylon like plastic as a transom instead of wood? Would it be more prudent to do some other modifications like adding some aluminum angle or other stock instead? Are there weight issues to be concerned about?
4. If I don't want to use marine grade plywood, what other wood alternatives are there?
Thanks for the patience and always any and help is appreciated. Rick
. The transom I would go bac with wood. The liquid nails should come off with a wire cup brush on a drill. The rivets are still available check with places like fastenall or Grainger . The wood most of us with Tinnies are usong is plain old exterior grade plywood ( not treated ) .We look forward to progress reports and of course pictures 
