Chine cracks and "motor pad"

[Cloudrnnr]

Two questions, actually. First, for those that had chine cracks, where they visible from the outside of the hull with the paint still on? I am guessing they were not.


Next, I've noticed some of the bigger SCs have an exterior plywood pad across the transom. Was this just to support the heavier outboards, or is there some other design reason?

 

[GA_Boater]

Re: Chine cracks and "motor pad"

All the cracked chines were visible, with or without paint in the pics posted in the threads.

Most of us have decided the pad was a cosmetic add-on so the paint doesn't get scratched when installing the motor. Just another piece of wood to rot. Some have used a some aluminum sheet to replace the wood.

 

[roscoe]

Re: Chine cracks and "motor pad"

The outside wood is somewhat sacrificial.
It takes the scuffs and scrapes and dents that otherwise would damage the aluminum skin.

 

[jasoutside]

Re: Chine cracks and "motor pad"

For my Jet Star and Sea Nymph projects I replaced the wood "motor pad" with 1/4" alum. No rot, looks good, and additional strength.

Necessary? Probably not. Do I get that warm fuzzy feeling with the extra strength? Yah.

Cheers!

 

[classiccat]

Re: Chine cracks and "motor pad"

Two questions, actually. First, for those that had chine cracks, where they visible from the outside of the hull with the paint still on? I am guessing they were not.

great question.

i didn't have cracking in my chine...but near it at the outer-most rivets.

po's gobbed puddy over them and called it a day. Some if it was over the paint...some under the paint:

^^ you can also see that it's bent...the chine flattens out.

more obvious from the inside (post 121)

and this is what it looks like all-cleaned-up:

 

[classiccat]

Re: Chine cracks and "motor pad"

also watch out for a distorted spray rail...especially if its welded and you don't see rivets above the area (sign that the PO braced the area after the weld).

mine was obscured by the guide-bunks :facepalm:

 

[Cloudrnnr]

Re: Chine cracks and "motor pad"

Bluefin, I might have a breakdown if I dig into an old tinny and find what you did.

The factory started doing chine bracing in what, '76? How long did it take for the phase in, and what models?

 

[classiccat]

Re: Chine cracks and "motor pad"

Bluefin, I might have a breakdown if I dig into an old tinny and find what you did.

The factory started doing chine bracing in what, '76? How long did it take for the phase in, and what models?

thankfully I uncovered most of the issues over-time...and not all-at-once :lol:

they started putting spray-rail braces in '79 (a metal tab that connects the sidewall-to the upper/lower seam , bends, and is slipped under the rib)...however i believe they do little to support the chine. What you need is a rigid structure that connects the hull-sidewall to the top of the rib (not bottom).

 

[Watermann]

Re: Chine cracks and "motor pad"

Bluefin, I might have a breakdown if I dig into an old tinny and find what you did.

The factory started doing chine bracing in what, '76? How long did it take for the phase in, and what models?

Hey Jim it's not too tough to retro fit the hull yourself with the braces, I did mine too.

 

[SigSaurP229]

Re: Chine cracks and "motor pad"

Most have decided that the pad is strictly cosmetic I am of the opinion Starcraft put it there to try and help prevent galvanic corrosion between the motor and transom skin.

 

[Watermann]

Re: Chine cracks and "motor pad"

I've not seen any galavanic between the OB and the transom skin, the anode should take that hit? But water soaked unsealed plywood against aluminum, yeah I've seen plenty of corrosion there.

 

[barato2]

Re: Chine cracks and "motor pad"

i'm with Jas. i used a hunk of 5/16" 6061 aluminum to replace mine, after i'd already built the new wood pad. :facepalm: was going to put it OVER the wood but decided it made more sense to just ditch the wood altogether.

 

[jbcurt00]

Re: Chine cracks and "motor pad"

Starboard/cutting board material has also been used as a motor pad by some. Huron Angler amongst them....... Hey , where has that guy been hiding?