Advice on Lowering Transom

GarySutherland · Jul 18, 2005

I own a 14ft Fletcher Arrow speedboat. I use it in coastal waters around Kintyre and the Kilbrannan Sound. The boat was originally designed for a short-shaft outboard but at some time in its murky past someone has raised the transom in order to fit a long-shaft engine. As I only have a short-shaft engine (Johnson Seahorse 20) I want to return the transom to its original height and so get the best performance out of my engine. Looking at the boat it would appear that a length of wood has been set a-top the original transom and then this had been sandwiched between two sheets of steel bolted either side of the transom. What I'm thinking of doing is to use a hacksaw to cut a slot in this extension, centrally and of the correct width to fit my engine, in order to drop it back down to the original transom height. Has anyone any comments or words of wisdom for me before I get started? Unfortunately I don't have the funds to simply go out and get a long-shaft engine, and I think the boat will probably look better with the engine lower down anyway. There's a picture of the boat at http://www.the-carradale-goat.co.uk/clips/fletcher.jpg if anyone's interested. Cheers Gary Sutherland Carradale, Kintyre, Argyll

CATransplant · Jul 18, 2005

Re: Advice on Lowering Transom

Hmm...it's hard to see your transom in that photo, but here's a go at it: Rather than cut out the transom extension, why not simply remove it altogether? If the steel plates are simply bolted to the transom and extension, removing them should allow you to return to the original transom height. But...not so fast...what is the distance from the top of the raised transom to the keel of the boat? Is it actually 20"? Further, where is the anti-ventilation plate on the outboard now, in relationship to the keel? Before you start cutting, the answers to those two questions may lead some here to question the need to cut the transom down. Cute little boat, though!

umblecumbuz · Jul 18, 2005

Re: Advice on Lowering Transom

Hi Gary, That's a very early Arrow. I had one about fifteen years ago. Good boat, but a bit prone to ship water over the stern when loaded. On those boats, the higher the transom the better from the point of view of freeboard. You're braver than me - I wouldn't take mine out into coastal waters, but it's good to see you've got the bairns kitted out properly. If by cutting the transom as you suggest, you're gioing to get your AV plate about on a level with your keel, then why not go and do it? And from one Scot to another, you could always sell the steel and wood offcut to a Sassenach!

GarySutherland · Jul 18, 2005

Re: Advice on Lowering Transom

The plate is above the level of the bottom of the keel by a few inches. I did think about just removing the plating but... I don't know what I'll find if I do and the sheet is quite large, extending down below the waterline where they bolt right through the hull. She handles surprisingly well for a little boat in a big sea but I'm always careful to watch the weather and not take her out in anything remotely rough. That being said some evenings recently the sea has been glassy calm and a trip across to Arran wouldn't have been a problem. I've found a couple of better photos that show where the transom has been extended better: http://www.the-carradale-goat.co.uk/clips/fletche2.jpg http://www.the-carradale-goat.co.uk/clips/fletche3.jpg I must admit to being only an honourary Scot having adopted my wife's family name when we married. Cheers Gary

Speedwagon · Jul 19, 2005

Re: Advice on Lowering Transom

Originally posted by Stillfishing: but it's good to see you've got the bairns kitted out properly. And from one Scot to another, you could always sell the steel and wood offcut to a Sassenach!

Not to thread hijack, but could I get a translator please?

Chris1956 · Jul 19, 2005

Re: Advice on Lowering Transom

Gary, As an alternative to cutting down the transom, your outboard may be capable to be changed from long shaft to short shaft quite easily. The 35-50HP motors made by Evinrude/Johnson in the 60s had this feature. It required a 5" longer driveshaft, two pieces of copper pipe to extend the cooling water pipes, an extension for the shiftshaft and a aluminum cover for the longer driveshaft. If you have a Outboard Junkyard near you, you can have a look for a doner motor that is longshaft. You should easily see the 5" extension to the lower unit bolted on.

CATransplant · Jul 19, 2005

Re: Advice on Lowering Transom

Very good. I see it clearly now. A very nice little boat, and a good job of raising the transom. It's clear that you need to do one of the things you mentioned, but my idea of removing the whole modification is not a good one, since it's clear that much of the work is below the waterline. If the boat does not leak now, I would not remove the metal plates. Do give some consideration to acquiring a long-shaft motor for that boat. As low as the transom would be after cutting, I can see that shipping water will be an issue, even though you have a lovely well for it. Your Johnson 20 CAN be extended, and at not too high a cost, if you can obtain the parts needed from an outboard breaker. Or...you might well advertise for a swap with another boater who has a long-shaft motor but on a short-transom boat. That would, by far, be the easiest solution, especially since your steering system is set up for the current transom. I still would not just cut this transom. It looks to be a good modification of this hull.

Solittle · Jul 19, 2005

Re: Advice on Lowering Transom

Gary - That is one cute rig! Beware of going out in open water even if it is calm. I don't know your waters but in most the weather conditions and thus the water can change quickly.

GarySutherland · Jul 19, 2005

Re: Advice on Lowering Transom

Hmmmmm I'll have a think about extending the engine. I didn't know you could do this on these motors. I'm not too hopeful though as this is a fairly remote part of the country and we don't have such things as junkyards for anything for a long way. Might be that someone round here has one rusting away in their shed. Cheers Gary

umblecumbuz · Jul 20, 2005

Re: Advice on Lowering Transom

Translation for Spedwagon: bairns kitted out - the two kids with their lifejackets on. Sassenachs - The hated English south of the border! Only kidding about the hated bit.

Mark42 · Jul 20, 2005

Re: Advice on Lowering Transom

That boat is too cool! That does look like a quality transom extension. And it may come off easily, you have to investigate by removing screws and bolts and see how it was sealed. The holes can be plugged and sealed after its removed. Then you use your motor as is. I would check this out first before trying to modify the motor. JMHO

BF · Jul 20, 2005

Re: Advice on Lowering Transom

Nice boat. What is the hp rating for it? What did you have on it until now? Or is your first picture with the 20 hp? I'm thinking that you might be happer with a 35 or so (if the boat is rated for that) instead of a 20 hp. Especially in a small boat, it's nice to be able to make time if the weather changes. Rather than mess with a good thing (boat with some freeboard), maybe sell your good 20 hp, and buy a longshaft 35?? Boat would perform better, and you haven't made it any less seaworthy. Or as said get the parts required to make it a longshaft... you could probably order used parts from US and get 'em shipped (I'm not sure if shipping time would be prohibitive). anyway, that's my $.02

GarySutherland · Jul 20, 2005

Re: Advice on Lowering Transom

Thanks, yes she is a nice little boat. It'd be perhaps a bit better if she was another couple of feet longer but hey! I've only had her a while and only the Johnson 20 on her but she nips along quite nicely. It might be worth thinking about mail-ordering the parts if I can find somewhere reputable - it'd be no good paying for parts to be shipped only to open the box and find they're nothing like what I need. I think I probably would be better off unbolting the extension and seeing what lies beneath rather than just taking my hacksaw to it. Cheers everyone Gary

Advice on Lowering Transom

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