make a wood transom or aluminum

[dsujen]

I have an 18' starcraft. The transom is completely rotten including the outside aluminum. My plan is to make the new transom out of aluminum. I will make a skeleton of framework out of square tube and weld a skin on the outside. I will place bushings where the motor bolts on so it doesn't crush. What do you think?

 

[Woodonglass]

Re: make a wood transom or aluminum

You prolly should post some pics. If it's as bad as it sounds, you're gunna need to do more to ensure the structural integrity of the boat. the transom is one of the most critical parts of the boat and if it must be one unified structure with the hull. If the outer skin of the boat is totally corroded away you must ensure the new one is attached to the sides of the hull properly. This is not something to be taken lightly.

 

[dsujen]

Re: make a wood transom or aluminum

I figured on cutting out and welding on a new aluminum skin all the way to the corners where the old transom skin was rivited. I am going to brace up the rest of the transome with aluminum angle, channel and square tube. The last owner caulked a piece of aluminum to what was left of the rotten skin. It didn't work. I don't want to use any caulk, wood or rivits.

 

[Lyle29464]

Re: make a wood transom or aluminum

your plan sounds fine. Think about the torque of the engine pushing in at the lower bolts and pulling back at the top. put the braces there and dont get hung up on cosmetics. I like to put in knees to the floor if I am running power or going light.

 

[tboydva]

Re: make a wood transom or aluminum

I am with you in not using wood. I used a fiberglass laminate to replace my transom. Heavier by a bit, but will never ever rot. If you're skilled with aluminum work, perhaps you could do something like my jet boat. The builder used rectangular-tube aluminum to fashion the transom. The backplate is 1/4" aluminum (I think). Here are some pictures:

 

[jigngrub]

Re: make a wood transom or aluminum

I don't think your welded design will hold as well as you think it will and as well as a riveted one. Riveted hulls are thinner material welded hulls.

I also don't think your framed aluminum design will distribute the load like it should, and like a wood reinforced transom does.

There are different alternatives to use other than just plain wood, like CCA treated wood and different composite materials.

 

[Jon Sob]

Re: make a wood transom or aluminum

Hey dsjun ..... I have a 1960 MFG that I just dug out the rotted 50 yr old transom and replaced it with a new wooden one that was constructed and sealed with the help and advise from the experts here at iboats. The transom that was in my boat from the factory was not sealed or even glued together but just different sized pieces of wood that were put into place between the inner and outer skin to form the shape and curve of the transom and it lasted 50 years. If I can get half that time out of my new glued and sealed transom and have to replace it again in 25 years .... I'll be happy.

I guess what I am saying is why are you against a wooden transom?

 

[Decker83]

Re: make a wood transom or aluminum

I am with WOG on this one.

You need to put up some pics and designs of how you will go about doing this.

If you have the equipment to weld alumium with and know how to weld it you can build a transom that will hold up for a life time.