19' Blue Fin I/O Conversion Redo: Notched Transom

[runninfarmer]

As the title states, I'm redoing an I/O conversion project on my 1989 19' Blue Fin I did a while back. Had some good advice, also a lot of negative criticism (some positive). It's the proverbial water under the bridge now. I decided I wanted to make it safer and more respected by the general boating community. So, I'm going ahead with removing my bracket and I've begun an extensive notched transom modification. I'm hiring a professional to weld in a .15" 5086 patch for the I/O hole. I just have roughly removed a large chunk of the upper transom. The cuts are obviously ugly right now, but I'm waiting to finalize after the patch is done.

I already have two additional 1/2" aluminum angles for knee brace support from stringers that I will reuse. Transom is only a year old so that will also be reused. I then will need to fabricate a splashwell, open to suggestions on that.

Here are some pics of early progress:

 

[Nathan R]

This looks like it will be a an interesting project. I am in the process of doinga transom in my lund tyee right now. I had to modify my splashwell to gain access to the area underneath it, but that is the extent of my splashwell knowledge. Really all you need is a flat piece (aluminum?) that would attach below the cutout and angle up towards the gunwales spanning the width of the inside of the boat. In my boat it also serves as storage and offers access to bilge and livewell pumps. Are there any salvage yards near you that would have an old tin boat you could scavenge a splashwell off of?

 

[runninfarmer]

No Title

I'm debating heavily on the splashwell part. I'd like get by with one that just spans the width of the cutout, but if I could find a cheap one at a scrap yard that'd be really nice. I would have the extra support with the gunwales with a full width one. Here's a pic with the fitted patch:

 

[runninfarmer]

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Pic didn't post for some reason, here it is:

 

[runninfarmer]

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Pic didn't post for some reason, here it is:

 

[Nathan R]

I think that if you click on the paperclip thing in upper right corner of the reply reply box that it will allow you to attach pictures.

 

[jbcurt00]

Photobucket is a much easier choice for pix, and puts the pix IN your posts rather then as attachments that must be opened.

There's an IMG code for each pix, looks like this:
IMG]http://i1246.photobucket.com/albums/gg618info/KGrHqFksFB1KqMNDpBQoSkoTWqg48_20_zpsdf2d610b.jpg[/IMG

Copy & paste it IN your post & the pix show up nice & big, no need to open them:

Skipping the splashwell, not a good idea, so good to hear you plan to add one. You should probably look thru some of the resto threads for the tin boats. You'll see how careless maintenance & care of the transom plywood leads to splashwell cracking on factory built boats. Careful planning, layout & construction of your splashwell will be important. Spend some time & look thru the various styles/types/sizes of splashwells & the construction of them and the areas around them.

Will you put jump seats on either side of the splashwell if it's only centrally located, rather then spanning the entire back of the boat? Jump seats or storage boxes on either side will help w/ the structural support of the well, but will consume some of the valuable space you 'created' when you pulled the I/O in favor of the O/B bracket.

Quite a bit of work ahead. Don't get in a rush, even though it's boating season..........

 

[runninfarmer]

Thanks for the info, I'm going to go with the full span splashwell. I think it will be easier to work with a full span after thinking on the design part of it. It will be connected all along the entire transom. I was thinking some type of angle pattern. Do you think 1/16" is thick enough for the splashwell? I'm checking scrap places for a 4' x8' sheet. I will have 4 places for tying in the motor area of the transom to the stringers. I also have a left over 12" x 24"x1/4" plate to use on the inside for the transom bolts and knee braces.

I want this thing super strong for my newly acquired 74' Tower of Power!

 

[runninfarmer]

Cleaned up the notched cut and fitted the transom to it. Jigsaw crapped out on me so had to finish cuts with a reciprocating saw. Filled some holes in the transom wood with 1/2'' oak dowels.

 

[runninfarmer]

No Title

It's been a while since my last post. I've got the new knee braces installed with 1/2" stainless bolts. Pretty rock solid and should suffice for my outboard. Just got my splashwell fabricated too. Hope to install it this week. I also picked up a 9' 2" aluminum channel to use as my transom cap. Will have to figure out the best way to bend it.

 

[runninfarmer]

I got the splashwell in and working on the fitting. Still need to trim the height down to level with the gunnels. Eventually I will put in an additional cross member for the front of the well, but for now it should serve it's purpose.