Not a run of the mill transom question

[Rick K]

My '61 Starcraft Jet 15 footer has a short transom. I replaced the transom 3 seasons ago, but now I find I have a chance to pick up a 40hp long shaft, very, very cheap.

The boat's rated for a 40. I put an old RD-19 on 2 seasons ago, and the boat just sagged in the water, and I was getting alot of backwash thru the splashwell drains, etc. Ran like heck and gave me all the speed I wanted, but I wasn't comfortable with the water coming in. It just appeared to sit way too low in the water.

Looking for opinions on replacing the short transom with a "long transom". I can do it easily enough, but what other considerations should I be thinking of? I was thinking Jack Plate, but that wouldn't solve the water infiltration.

Any advice?
Thanks
Rick

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: Not a run of the mill transom question

The jack plate will only change the engine height. Your weight would be more and your transom is still low.

You could...... rebuild the transom to a long shaft length.... does the boat have a big splashwell?? you could add some to it and change it a bit.

Another thought is about a company that makes splash shields for the transom - ugly (IMO) but prevent some water.

 

[Rick K]

Re: Not a run of the mill transom question

Bob, The splashwell would have to stay the same, or I'd be getting into moving the rear bench seat forward, etc. In rebuilding the transom, I'd have to cover the existing splashwell drains, then figure out some other method to drain that area in the event of water getting in there. I can't raise it, as it ties into the inside of the boat, etc.

I wouldn't even bother, other than the fact that the motor is there for the taking, and I'd never have another opportunity to pick one up so cheap.

For what I use the boat for I shouldn't worry too much, but I don't want to go thru all that work for nothing... Decisions, decisions...

Thanks for the reply,
Rick

 

[croSSed]

Re: Not a run of the mill transom question

Could you post some pics of the boat the way it currently is? I'd have to see how it is configured in the transom area before I could make a suggestion.

TG

 

[Frank Acampora]

Re: Not a run of the mill transom question

Sorry, but I don't know any other way to get to these photos! Go to Chrysler Crew, join, go to the questions forum, click on it, click on photos on the left side and look for Frank's boats. I have two photos of a transom I raised 5 inches in that album. They should help you a little.

 

[Rick K]

Re: Not a run of the mill transom question

Try as I might, I can't get a picture to go with my post here. So, the next best thing is a quick trip to photobucket.

http://s159.photobucket.com/albums/t123/StarcraftJet/

These are the only photos I have of my boat that shows any decent pics of the transom area. This is pre-restoration.

Whataya think?
Rick

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Not a run of the mill transom question

rick, imho, the easiest would be a jackplate, and on the inside of the splash well add a piece of plywood to bring the top of the splash well up to the sides. you can use the same drain holes, they will drain when running, and just hold a little water when stopped,

 

[Rick K]

Re: Not a run of the mill transom question

Man that boat is hideous. Glad I restored it!!! The more I think about it, the more I agree with the Jack Plate thing. I don't really think THAT much water will infiltrate. The 18 that's on there now weighs about 85lbs, give or take. I figure the 40 Yammy I want to throw on there weighs about 150-160 tops. I've stood on the transom back there when it was in the water (I'm 260lbs) and it didn't go down that much more. it's just the oversplash when cutting the throttle that I worry about.

I appreciate the advice and replies...
Rick

 

[Frank Acampora]

Re: Not a run of the mill transom question

Thats a round bottom boat. She displaces a lot of water as she is loaded in the stern. Picture a 55 gallon drum of water and how much it would fill an area at the stern. Thats 440 lbs of water. Thats how much the hull would displace (simplified) loaded with 440 lbs. You have about 10 inches to the splashwell drain holes. So, you could hang on your 160 lbs engine and stand in the back and not have any worries. Provided you don't get too happy with fuel and batteries. Figure 50 lbs for the battery and six gal of fuel weighs about 40 lbs. If you decide to just go with a jackplate, raise up your splashwell so following seas don't splash past it when you slow down quickly, because she will squat when you back off the throttle quickly.