I am currently amidst the project of completely rebuilding the transom in my HydraSport bass boat. I have successfully removed all rotted wood, cut all the bad stuff out and have encapsulated marine wood with epoxy resin and all is place in ready for glass over, gel coat and transom cap. Question is this: I have some hard aluminum sheets laying around (7076 T-7 for those that know metalurgy). I would like to slide that down in there for additional reinforcement. It is 1/8" thick!! and is a very strong, hard piece of AL. Not necessary? Not a bad idea? Just leave it out and rely on wood and glass matting/cloth alone? Curious to hear what other people have done to reinforce a typical transom job. Thanks!
Mike
Wellcraft 250, 225 OMC
17’ Hydrasports bass boat, 150 Evinrude
12’ jon, 24lb thrust MK
16’ canoe, oars
Since you have it, it would not be a bad idea to laminate it into the inner side of the transom so that when the outboard is bolted into place it will distribute the clamping force evenly and prevent any cracking around the bolts.
Iain Pelto
Edgewater 185CC “Jumpin’ Bean II”
Native Manta Ray 14
airplane aluminum…
26’ Twinvee
Twin Suzuki 175’s
www.creeksidemetalworks.com
quote:
hairball Posted - 07/25/2010 : 10:38:29 AM
Since you have it, it would not be a bad idea to laminate it into the inner side of the transom so that when the outboard is bolted into place it will distribute the clamping force evenly and prevent any cracking around the bolts.
Iain Pelto
Edgewater 185CC “Jumpin’ Bean II”
Native Manta Ray 14
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Exactly what I was thinking of doing, also, another plate on the outer side just because. Might be overkill but like you said I really want to make sure the load created by the 5/8" carriage bolts is spread as much as possible. Also figured that throwing another piece of the woven roving over all of that before transom cap just to give it one last protection from water invasion. That is, if the transom cap will still fit!
quote:
Capt Ed Posted - 07/25/2010 : 1:35:54 PM
airplane aluminum…
26’ Twinvee
Twin Suzuki 175’s
www.creeksidemetalworks.com
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Definately is. Good stuff! and good alloy so even in spots where sealant doesnt get between galvanized bolts and that AL it shouldnt have too much of a chance of dissimilar metal corrosion.
Anybody else done anything like this before to reinforce fiberglass work? I need some more ideas for when I rebuild the transom on my Wellcraft…thanks again
Mike
Wellcraft 250, 225 OMC
17’ Hydrasports bass boat, 150 Evinrude
12’ jon, 24lb thrust MK
16’ canoe, oars
somewhat overkill, but definately wont hurt.
transom was plenty strong until it rotted.
unless you need more strength than you had before, keep it simple.
www.teamcharlestonmarine.com
www.joinrfa.org