How do you metal plate a weak transom correctly and what about structural integrity??

[sailors hornpipe]

ok so this is my 2nd post on this subject , heres my question how do you metal plate a weak transom correctly and what does that do to the structural integrity? can you pull some one on a tube for example ? I was recently told by an old salt that people metal plate transoms all the time and get several years out of them, i dont have the money to have a professional repair or replace the transom with estimates of 2500.00 to 4000.00. So my idea is to plate it to buy time to save money for a good condition used hull and then swith the motor and good stuff over to that hull. also as someone pointed out , if the transom is rotten, then the stringers and foam are probably rotting also,so if im brave enough to try transom repair as described on this site with epoxy and so forth, will the epoxy repaired transom be as strong as the original transom and will i be able to pull a tube or skier on the repaired transom and how long will the repaired transom last?

 

[I_prefer_tractors]

Re: How do you metal plate a weak transom correctly and what about structural integri

How about you just fix the transom? Should be a couple hundred bucks. Then after the season you can gut the rest of the boat & fix it right?

 

[Woodonglass]

Re: How do you metal plate a weak transom correctly and what about structural integri

SH , you need to familiarize yourself with the forum rules. You are to keep posts on the same subject in the same thread. This forum is not fond of Band Aid repairs and I doubt you will find to many members willing to commit to any kind of advice for what you are trying to do. It is not safe and not a good idea. It's your boat and you can do as you wish but not many of us will say it's ok to do so.

 

[GT1000000]

Re: How do you metal plate a weak transom correctly and what about structural integri

ok so this is my 2nd post on this subject , heres my question how do you metal plate a weak transom correctly and what does that do to the structural integrity? can you pull some one on a tube for example ? I was recently told by an old salt that people metal plate transoms all the time and get several years out of them, i dont have the money to have a professional repair or replace the transom with estimates of 2500.00 to 4000.00. So my idea is to plate it to buy time to save money for a good condition used hull and then swith the motor and good stuff over to that hull. also as someone pointed out , if the transom is rotten, then the stringers and foam are probably rotting also,so if im brave enough to try transom repair as described on this site with epoxy and so forth, will the epoxy repaired transom be as strong as the original transom and will i be able to pull a tube or skier on the repaired transom and how long will the repaired transom last?

I doubt you are going to get any positive responses regarding , what we call here, a "band-aid" repair, in this forum...there is no real way to correctly metal plate a weak transom...and if it should give way on you while pulling a tube, that good condition running engine, and quite possibly all the bits you want to transfer to the other hull, if/when you get it...may end up in Davy Jones Locker...and Yes, you will find the occasional "old salt" that has put/used/recommended doing this and has gotten away with it...I hope that if you do it, you are one of the lucky ones and get many fun and safe seasons out of your boat...

I understand your dilemma, but if you are not ready, willing and able to do it the right way...you may be in the wrong place...

Please, don't take this the wrong way, but restoring a boat usually ends up being much better built than the factory ever could, due to the fact that we are not in it for profit or to make temporary repairs...and to answer your question about how long a properly restored transom/hull will last...expect at least 20 years maybe double that, if properly maintained...pretty good return on investment, if you ask me...

Many of us have found ourselves in the exact same position as yourself and come to one of two conclusions...

Either roll up your sleeves, spend the time and the money to do it all the way...

Or, get another hull that is in excellent condition...

The biggest problem with the second option is, unless you are buying a New, almost new or Marine Certified and Guaranteed hull...all of which can cost big bucks...you may be buying someone else's problem and have to restore that hull...

Oh yeah, and there is a third option...you drink a funky koolaid and get yourself an aluminum boat that has no fiberglass or wood...

If you decide to dive in and restore this boat, we will be glad to help in any way we can.

Best of Luck,
GT1M

 

[bgc]

Re: How do you metal plate a weak transom correctly and what about structural integri

You DONT "Band-Aid" a boat!
You cant pull off to the side and walk to get help if you have trouble. DONT do it!

 

[sailors hornpipe]

Re: How do you metal plate a weak transom correctly and what about structural integri

ok i got it. I asked for you old salts advice and i got it. I hear you loud and clear and am not taking it personally. I understand why you dont bandaid a boat now and that i could be putting my family at risk! thanks to all . I have concluded that the only thing to do is roll up my sleeves and just do it right. Still timid though but i know you guys will help me through it. Oh and i hear you on the forum rules will keep it on the same thread now that i understand. now i need to figure out how to get the pictures on here that i took of my boat so you guys can advise me further. Im handing the picture upload questions over to my IT dept or in other words my teenagers lol.

 

[sailors hornpipe]

Re: How do you metal plate a weak transom correctly and what about structural integri

oh and further more someone on here said its very difficult to replace the transom on a 180 nitro because othe way they are built. The transom has two small swim platforms on either side of the out board space and these jut out about a foot and a half so if you were you were hovering over the boat looking down at the transom it would look like a u shape. Is it difficult? i think the best access is from the inside of the the engine comparment but it is a very small space. and just to clarify im not afraid of hard work , i just dont want to cut into it and then become confused and overwhelmed. In other words im afraid to screw it up.how do i get the engine off? where do i put the engine. and should i repair it from the engine compartment?

 

[Scott Danforth]

Re: How do you metal plate a weak transom correctly and what about structural integri

post pics of your hull - a picture is worth 1000 words. it truly is.

 

[sailors hornpipe]

Re: How do you metal plate a weak transom correctly and what about structural integri

did have a bud , an old salt stop by and look at the boat today and he seems to think it is a rot spot . but by reading here i understand that wood wicks and if its that rotten in one spot it has spread somewhere else. could be wrong but i think the rot started from inside the engine compartment where the fiber glass was cracked. how hard is it to re fiberglass, after replacing the wood and resin?

 

[sailors hornpipe]

Re: How do you metal plate a weak transom correctly and what about structural integri

how do i get the pics on here? i know how to plug the camera into the computer but do not know the steps to get it onto this thread.

 

[JDA1975]

Re: How do you metal plate a weak transom correctly and what about structural integri

If you are willing and able to do the work, people here will guide you along the way, that is what the forum is about, I tore into my own project almost a year ago and with the help of the fine people here I have made good progress. Do not be timid about it, all ya need is a working knowledge of basic carpentry, the ability to follow directions (short cuts and skipped steps result in failure), and the drive to push through the low points when you think it is futile to continue!

It is fun and rewarding, the transom repair could be done over a winter and you can be back on the water safely enjoying yourselves with the knowledge your boat is stronger than ever. Good luck with it!

 

[jbcurt00]

Re: How do you metal plate a weak transom correctly and what about structural integri

oh and further more someone on here said its very difficult to replace the transom on a 180 nitro because othe way they are built. The transom has two small swim platforms on either side of the out board space and these jut out about a foot and a half so if you were you were hovering over the boat looking down at the transom it would look like a u shape. Is it difficult?

Pix in either thread would be helpful....So we'll start w/ that:

Easiest to start w/ a free photobucket account. Once you get the pix loaded from your camera into your computer, photobucket will walk you through uploading the pix to your account. Do yourself a favor & break the boat down into groups & make a folder for each group. It will make it easier for you to find the pix you're looking for, and post it to your account, if you don't have to scan thru several hundred pix looking for the close up of the transom bracket or whatever.

Once you have pix loaded into your photobucket acct, look for these image codes under the pix you want to post:


GEDC0347.jpg
Share|Edit|Delete|Move

Email & IM

Direct link

HTML code

IMG code

Highlight the text in the box next to IMG code, use the right click mouse button & select copy. Start a reply post toyour thread & then right mouse button again & select paste. You will paste something that looks like this:
{IMG]http://i1246.photobucket.com/albums/jbcurt00/GEDC0347.jpg[/IMG}

And it will turn into a large pix that looks something like this:

The pix will be nice & big, and easy to reference with the text you add asking a question or whatever about that pix.

The someone you referenced above mentioning how difficult it is to replace your transom is 1 of the guys you want looking over your shoulder, thread & work.
WOG's signature links are great references for how to do the work you will need to do after we get you started on a way to possibly get the transom out & ready to be replaced.

Due to the way the F/S Nitro's are constructed, replacing the transom is not as easy as some other boats. Like mrdjflores said you prolly have wet foam and rotten stringers too meaning you will need to do a full gut job. Might be easier to salvage what you can and find another hull for the motor. JMHO

SH , you need to familiarize yourself with the forum rules. You are to keep posts on the same subject in the same thread. This forum is not fond of Band Aid repairs and I doubt you will find to many members willing to commit to any kind of advice for what you are trying to do. It is not safe and not a good idea. It's your boat and you can do as you wish but not many of us will say it's ok to do so.

WoodOnGlass won't steer you wrong. Difficult yes, esp so for a novice, but not impossible. Go thru GT100000's thread as well, he's doing some great work on the Bassassin, and I think JDA1975 checked in too. He's got a Skeeter thread started, done some great work on it so far, but his upholstery business has taken off, so he may be a while putting it back together the rest of the way...

 

[bgc]

Re: How do you metal plate a weak transom correctly and what about structural integri

ok i got it. I asked for you old salts advice and i got it. I hear you loud and clear and am not taking it personally. I understand why you dont bandaid a boat now and that i could be putting my family at risk! thanks to all . I have concluded that the only thing to do is roll up my sleeves and just do it right. Still timid though but i know you guys will help me through it. Oh and i hear you on the forum rules will keep it on the same thread now that i understand. now i need to figure out how to get the pictures on here that i took of my boat so you guys can advise me further. Im handing the picture upload questions over to my IT dept or in other words my teenagers lol.

Two Thumbs UP!
(How receptive is your IT department to new requests? Mine has a bit of an attitude lately)

 

[bgc]

Re: How do you metal plate a weak transom correctly and what about structural integri

did have a bud , an old salt stop by and look at the boat today and he seems to think it is a rot spot . but by reading here i understand that wood wicks and if its that rotten in one spot it has spread somewhere else. could be wrong but i think the rot started from inside the engine compartment where the fiber glass was cracked. how hard is it to re fiberglass, after replacing the wood and resin?

I had a bit of rot...foot when through floor... nearly 10 months later shes still in dry dock but is now a very sound vessel.
http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?t=520849

 

[emoney]

Re: How do you metal plate a weak transom correctly and what about structural integri

Definitely agree with the Photobucket account. It's FREE, and it makes posting quality pics in a thread as easy as pie-eating. You will still upload the pictures to your computer, just like you're doing now, but then you store them in your Photobucket account and then it's just as easy as "copy n paste". Plus, it allows you to delete from your desktop so you don't have a bunch of clutter taking up memory.

As for "the fix", what seems like a mountain now, will show itself as a molehill later. The hardest part of it all is getting started. Once you do that, the rest is as simple as putting in a transom.