Leisure Island Splash Plate Replacement

[Underblog]

I have a 16' Leisure Island and I took it over to a welder to get its rusted-through splash plate replaced. It appears to be a sheet metal piece bolted to the transom frame. The welder advised that the transom frame appeared to be galvanized and therefore unsuitable for welding, and that the frame is aluminum and that the two metals do not get along well.

I know that there are hundreds of Leisure Islands out there, and I cannot imagine that they would construct so many boats with a potentially dangerous combination of materials.

Are there any other Leisure Island owners out there, or folks who have the same hybrid galvanized / aluminum construction on their pontoon boats?

Eric W

Albuquerque / Burntside Lake MN

 

[rickdb1boat]

Re: Leisure Island Splash Plate Replacement

Most all newer transoms are aluminum. I would try a different welder..

 

[Mi duckdown]

Re: Leisure Island Splash Plate Replacement

Underblog. Pics. something is wrong HERE.

 

[ahicks]

Re: Leisure Island Splash Plate Replacement

Galvanized transoms/frames are/were pretty common on older boats - especially those that were set up with adjustable transom height?

If welding isn't an option, bolts work really well. Bolt a piece of angle iron or a set of angle brackets in place, then bolt your splash guard to that?

Pics might help for more specific ideas...

 

[MaPaHa]

Re: Leisure Island Splash Plate Replacement

I had a galvanized motor transom on my first pontoon and I had a new one built out of 20 gauge galvanized to replace it because the bottom part was rusted out. The new one was plenty stout and I had it made longer to hit the next joist. I added a couple of angles down the side where it attached.

You might find a complete transom for what you would spend having that one repaired. I've seen them advertised. I'm always a fan of bigger is better when it comes to transoms. I personally wouldn't worry about the two different metals if you stay with gavvanized. As stated, there are many pontoons built with using galvanised transoms.