reinforced transom weight causing poor boat trim- add bow weights???? 1973 chrysler

[christo555]

would adding 100 lbs to bow help more than hurt boat performance/safety??

 

[GA_Boater]

Did you reinforce the transom with cast iron plates? How much weight did you add and how did it perform before?

 

[minuteman62-64]

Why add weight for the sake of adding weight. Maybe re-locate fuel tank/batteries? What about just adjusting the trim angle on the motor?

 

[christo555]

close!
the previous owner (po) put a 5 inch by 5 inch by 4 1/2 feet right angle iron 5/16 thick on the outside of transom and on the inside a 2 inch thick plywood plate about 4 1/2 feet by 14 inches. to hold together , put 6) 5/16 machine bolts through angle iron-transom-plywood plate sandwich.
it supports the chrysler 70 hp outboard fine and after i did some caulking, nothing leaks after 3 years of use.my guess is the weight of added stuff is about 60, 70 pounds.
don't know anything about previous performance. i , being a cadet, don't know if the boat trim angle, while not planing and then planing is okay/bad. it just seems to me to be too bow up when not planing. by putting engine tilt bar in second hole from the transom, i got the boat planing at what seems like an okay trim angle.

 

[christo555]

fyi, the boat is a 1973 chrysler sport satillite with 70hp outboard. has an open bow, 15 foot, about 800 pounds. fuel tank is a 6 gallon portable tank which is next to the battery, both next to transom.

 

[JimS123]

In effect, you've just added less weight than what you would have added if you put a kicker on the transom. So, that in itself should not be a problem. Trim adjustments should make the boat perform fine.

The bigger question is why did the PO create this monstrosity? Could the transom be rotten and this is all a bandaid? No boat should need that kind of reinforcement unless the transom is shot or the engine is way too big for the boat.

I'd be concerned enough to have a professional survey the boat to certify its safe to use.

 

[smokeonthewater]

(sadly) 100-1 you have a rotten boat... For future reference never buy a boat with ANY kind of band-aid on the transom

 

[Mel Taylor]

(sadly) 100-1 you have a rotten boat... For future reference never buy a boat with ANY kind of band-aid on the transom

Yep, unfortunate but probably true.

 

[jbcurt00]

Yeah, that HUGE chunk of iron isn't necessary on a seaworthy boat. Weight distribution is greatly important in a boat, both fore & aft as well as starboard to port.

Boat & boat resto safely.

 

[Pony]

(sadly) 100-1 you have a rotten boat... For future reference never buy a boat with ANY kind of band-aid on the transom

Could be....hopefully the PO was just REALLY paranoid. Its funny....always see a lot of boats on craigslist that have metal straps on the transom....and the ad always says the boat is fine but was added for "preventative maintenance".

 

[Frank Acampora]

Chrysler Cadet was a nice little boat but as with most Chrysler boats I believe the hull bottom was foam filled. This foam is highly likely to be waterlogged. That coupled with the massive transom reinforcement can not be helping.

Spend some time considering if you want to keep the boat. If you decide the answer is yes, drill a couple of access holes in the floor to probe the foam before deciding to go further. Then, if you do decide to go further, tear out the transom reinforcement and redo with Git-Rot or equivalent and aluminum angle. 2 X 3 by 1/4 thick is way more than sufficient.

Without power trim/tilt, the 75 only weighs about 250 pounds

If you can, search some of my past posts on transom reinforcement. I routinely reinforce transoms BEFORE they need it as a prophylactic measure. In fact, if you go to youtube and search Frank Acampora videos you can see a couple of my boats performing with raised and reinforced transoms.

If you like the classic Chrysler, also go and join The Chrysler Crew, website for Chrysler outboard and hull enthusiasts.

 

[Stumpalump]

close! don't know anything about previous performance. i , being a cadet, don't know if the boat trim angle, while not planing and then planing is okay/bad. it just seems to me to be too bow up when not planing. by putting engine tilt bar in second hole from the transom, i got the boat planing at what seems like an okay trim angle.

Sounds like you fixed it. Dial it in by moving your weight around and look for water as outlined. It may be an old worked over boat but it's a boat!

 

[jestor68]

close!
by putting engine tilt bar in second hole from the transom, i got the boat planing at what seems like an okay trim angle.

So, what's the problem? If it's planing out OK and not bouncing around, have fun.

 

[Watermann]

Agreed that adding weight to a boat isn't the answer, redistributing weight is the way to go.

 

[christo555]

thanks for all the posts. i really enjoy talking with people about projects, and this boat is for sure a project.
wrt to some of the comments, yes, the transom is rotten and that's why the po did the reinforcing. it is overdone in my opinion also, but aside from the extra weight it seems to be holding together just fine. also, the boat performs just fine. i am faster than most sea rays out on the lake. i don't have any leaks.i don't have any operational problems.
i just don't know what the proper boat trim angle should be when not planing and when planing, and realizing i have all that extra weight in back i was hoping somebody could advise me on best way to get the correct boat trim angles.
​ thanks for any

 

[steelespike]

When planed out the boat should be about 2/3rds in the water but on the water not in it.The bow should be clear of the water.
Motor trim will help getting it right.If the boat seems to run with the bow down like its glued to the water you need to trim the motor up.
(prop away from the boat).If the bow seems too high trim down(closer to the boat)
Cruising speed is fully on plane but with the throttle reduced for less strain and better mileage.
Ideal speed could be from just on plane to about 1000 rpm higher.

 

[Bubbasboat]

In life you have no problems until you have a problem. Make sure you carry enough quality life jackets on board for everyone. Your problem when it happens will be SINKING. Rotten transom is an issue!

 

[Bubbasboat]

In life you have no problems until you have a problem. Make sure you carry enough quality life jackets on board for everyone. Your problem when it happens will be SINKING. Rotten transom is an issue!

 

[smokeonthewater]

What he said... a rotten transom is a HUGE deal and NO amount of reinforcing will fix it because the fiberglass that the reinforcement ties to was never dupposed to be supporting the load... I'll add that aside of sinking, having "one of the faster searays" , your problem MAY very well be an outboard at full throttle in full on blender mode in your lap and THEN sinking... A rotten glass boat is nothing to play with.... VERY dangerous!

 

[jbcurt00]

What he said... a rotten transom is a HUGE deal and NO amount of reinforcing will fix it because the fiberglass that the reinforcement ties to was never dupposed to be supporting the load... I'll add that aside of sinking, having "one of the faster searays" , your problem MAY very well be an outboard at full throttle in full on blender mode in your lap and THEN sinking... I rotten glass boat is nothing to play with.... VERY dangerous!

^^^ made me think:

The Frog Blender 2000's funny

Rotten transom ISN'T.........................