1970's Aluminum Mckenzie Cherokee Runabout Rebuild

Hi Folks,

Very new to this forum. I must say there's a great deal of useful information here. I am a first time DIY person who has a new project.

First off I don't know the year of my aluminum hull. It's a Mackenzie runabout. I am guessing 70's but I have no real confirmation. Anyone know the year of this boat? Has anyone heard of Mackenzie? I think the boat was fabricated in Peterborough, Ontario but I am not sure.

Anyway I will post pics as I progress with the project. Here's a pic of my boat.

Jeff

Re: 1970's 16 ft Aluminum Mackenzie Runabout Rebuild

Re: 1970's 16 ft Aluminum Mackenzie Runabout Rebuild

Still not sure the year?

Had a some time yesterday to spend with LA Boat.

Removed the remaining section of foam. Best guess the foam was sprayed into the bow. Filled two garbage bags.




Removed the top coat of paint. Was pleased with the results.




Next steps to clean up interior of hull and power wash.

Headin to Illonois next week where I'll pickup some Gluvit and 5200.

Re: 1970's 16 ft Aluminum Mackenzie Runabout Rebuild

Re: 1970's 16 ft Aluminum Mackenzie Runabout Rebuild

I've looked around at local stores (HD, Lowes, Home Hardware, etc) and it seems they don't carry epoxy resin.

US composites and West Marine both have the stuff.

I need two coats for the sole, interior sides, small storage compartment and bench. Roughly how much resin do I need?

Re: 1970's 16 ft Aluminum Mackenzie Runabout Rebuild

Re: 1970's 16 ft Aluminum Mackenzie Runabout Rebuild

So like if you find a stubby bottle cap somewhere in your boat it was probably made by these guys eh?!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pNRlcjz3acU

Look for your HIN # stamped on the transom somewhere and it should tell you the year model your boat is (unless Doug and Bob forgot to put one on there).

The 1/2 gal kit of 635 thin epoxy with the medium hardener from USComposites should do all of your wood, it's actually more than a half gallon because you get a half gallon of resin and 23 oz. of hardener... almost 3/4 of a gallon.

Re: 1970's 16 ft Aluminum Mackenzie Runabout Rebuild

Re: 1970's 16 ft Aluminum Mackenzie Runabout Rebuild

US Composites. 5 Gallons

Re: 1970's 16 ft Aluminum Mackenzie Runabout Rebuild

Re: 1970's 16 ft Aluminum Mackenzie Runabout Rebuild

Thanks Jig and Wood. Epoxy and Gluvit on order.

Not to worry LA Boat wasn't made by Bob and Doug. Although you may think differently as the project continues.

Still not sure the year of Mackenzie runabout? The manufacturer plate does not include the year of manufacture.

Ok. Since I decided to put the effort into a rebuild and get LA Boat outta dry dock I knew something had to be done with the transom. The PO had fabricated and installed an aluminum support brace instead of the usual wood core.

Notice the how small 'L' braces were welded to the stringers and the support brace

http://i1059.photobucket.com/albums/t423/jhendery/IMG-20120608-00103.jpg

I had time over the weekend to remove the support brace. Notice the brace is now removed. On the skin the outline of the support brace is noticeable

http://i1059.photobucket.com/albums/t423/jhendery/IMG-20120702-00149.jpg

Support brace removed

http://i1059.photobucket.com/albums/t423/jhendery/IMG-20120702-00147.jpg

The aluminum transom skin is recessed roughly a 1/4" from the boat hull. Follow along the starboard side where the transom skin is connected to the hull and you will notice a small lip. This is the recess I am talking about.

http://i1059.photobucket.com/albums/t423/jhendery/IMG-20120608-00100.jpg

My plan is to repair the existing transom skin using JB weld and sand to a smooth finish. I know there are other steps but I'll get to that later. Then I will have a second transom skin fabricated and welded into the recessed space. My thinking is the additional transom skin will add additional support for the wood core.

How do I handle the speedometer sending unit and drain hole? Is the second transom skin necessary?

http://i1059.photobucket.com/albums/t423/jhendery/IMG-20120702-00152.jpg

Thanks in advance.

Re: 1970's 16 ft Aluminum Mackenzie Runabout Rebuild

Re: 1970's 16 ft Aluminum Mackenzie Runabout Rebuild

Hey Folks,

I could really use suggestions on how to tackle the transom and more. I wouldn't be able to take on a project like this without help from other boat owners who have already gone through the process.

The hull has been water tested in the stern while there doesn't appear to be major leaks. I counted a few rivits that have water perspiration and other than not looking pretty I think the hull is in ok shape.

Thanks in advance.

Jeff

Re: 1970's 16 ft Aluminum Mackenzie Runabout Rebuild

Re: 1970's 16 ft Aluminum Mackenzie Runabout Rebuild

Copy and paste the code to your post so the pic shows up without clicking a link please.

You'll need to make a cardboard template for your transom, you can just hold it up to the back of the transom and trace it. Youl need to make it about 1/4" smaller than on each side and the bottom so it'll fit down inside. Use this for your transom wood pattern, usually 1 1/2" thick... 2 pieces of 3/4" laminated together.

Then you're going to have to figure out something for some braces, if you have to you can use plywood right angles ( 2 pieces 3/4" thick) with aluminum angle bolted to the back and bottom. These can be bolted through the transom at the back and riveted or bolted to thee hull at the bottom, I'd make 3 braces.

I can see where your outer transom skin has been pushed in at the bottom from the PO's pee-poor design, you may want to take a rubber mallet or a 2x4 block and a hammer and see if you can straighten that up a little... don't be too rough with it though.

I don't know if you're the one that sprayed that red lead primer on the transom... but it isn't going to stick unless it's zinc chromate self etching primer for aluminum.

Remove the speedo paddle and the bilge drain fitting and reinstall after you finish the transom.

Re: 1970's 16 ft Aluminum Mackenzie Runabout Rebuild

Re: 1970's 16 ft Aluminum Mackenzie Runabout Rebuild

Thanks Jig.

I figured out how to copy the IMG file into the thread. I will do this moving forward.

So when the transom core is installed there will be a 1/4" gap around the perimeter?

The transom skin is very sloppy to say the least. I will need to address the outside of the transom skin soon enough. More questions on that later.

Yeah I sprayed the primer on the skin to help identify unnecessary holes. Strangely enough the PO installed the transom wood to the outter transom skin. The holes marked on the skin are the main cause for leaky transom. Weird eh?

Re: 1970's 16 ft Aluminum Mackenzie Runabout Rebuild

Re: 1970's 16 ft Aluminum Mackenzie Runabout Rebuild

When you put the 1 1/2" transom wood inside the boat it should straighten up that skin some, and if you can apply enough pressure to it ... it should help straighten it out a lot.

You could even make a transom puller with some long bolts and 2x4's on the outside pulling the transom wood inside to the back of the boat.

Most things are fixable, you just gotta think about it for a while.

btw, good job on the pic posting!

Re: 1970's 16 ft Aluminum Mackenzie Runabout Rebuild

Re: 1970's 16 ft Aluminum Mackenzie Runabout Rebuild

Thanks Jig.

I attempted to test fit the old transom cutout. Notice the template will not drop into the transom space. The ends of the gunwale prevent the test template from fitting.

Just want to make sure I am on the right track. Do I need to cut the ends of the gunwale so the transom will drop?

Re: 1970's 16 ft Aluminum Mackenzie Runabout Rebuild

Re: 1970's 16 ft Aluminum Mackenzie Runabout Rebuild

Yeah, your transom wood needs to be the full width of the transom. You can cut your gunwale tops back 1 1/2" and buy or fabricate a corner gusset later.

Re: 1970's 16 ft Aluminum Mackenzie Runabout Rebuild

Re: 1970's 16 ft Aluminum Mackenzie Runabout Rebuild

jigngrub said:

Yeah, your transom wood needs to be the full width of the transom. You can cut your gunwale tops back 1 1/2" and buy or fabricate a corner gusset later.

Click to expand...

Thanks Jig.

Didn't have much time with LA Boat this weekend. But I did manage to remove the splash well. So now she's pretty much stripped to the bare hull.







Going away on business for a few days. Next up is to get the transom cut and glued. What adhisive or glue should be used between the 3/4" sheets?

The splashwell skin is roughly 4" taller than the transom skin. Do I need to be worried about this? Ideally I want the new transom to be the same height as before. Does the OB make a difference to the height?

I think the picture below shows what I mean. Notice the splashwell skin is raised taller than the outter transom skin.

Re: 1970's 16 ft Aluminum Mackenzie Runabout Rebuild

Re: 1970's 16 ft Aluminum Mackenzie Runabout Rebuild

Man that boat is ugly! Anything you do to it will be an improvement!

Re: 1970's 16 ft Aluminum Mackenzie Runabout Rebuild

Re: 1970's 16 ft Aluminum Mackenzie Runabout Rebuild

What glue/adhisive should be used for the transom core?

Cut the transom to the same height as before?

Thanks in advance.

Jeff

Re: 1970's 16 ft Aluminum Mackenzie Runabout Rebuild

Re: 1970's 16 ft Aluminum Mackenzie Runabout Rebuild

I'm a fan of Gorrila glue, Tightbond III is another forum favorite. If your going to epoxy the plywood to seal it you can use that too. Then there is always the PL premium too. You just want something that's waterproof.

Re: 1970's 16 ft Aluminum Mackenzie Runabout Rebuild

Re: 1970's 16 ft Aluminum Mackenzie Runabout Rebuild

+1. All great choices. The epoxy is probably best, if you have enough. Otherwise, PL and Titebond III are great choices and you can get that at the hardware store. Be sure to lay the layers flat and put lots of weight on top while they cure and/or screw them together with some small SS hardware. You can then either remove the screws, or just epoxy over them. Once you've got the transom sealed and installed, the rest of the boat will start to come together much more quickly(ish). Just take your time and see that it's done right. The transom is the heart of the boat and you don't want to have to repair it again for a loooooong time.

Re: 1970's 16 ft Aluminum Mackenzie Runabout Rebuild

Re: 1970's 16 ft Aluminum Mackenzie Runabout Rebuild

Now that I'm home and can see the pics big I have to say WOW someone butchered that transom skin bad.

For your height I'd come up at least as high as the SW. More importantly I'd look at your motor's shaft length and let that guide me.

Have you given any thought to having a sheet of AL welded in to try and correct?

Re: 1970's 16 ft Aluminum Mackenzie Runabout Rebuild

Re: 1970's 16 ft Aluminum Mackenzie Runabout Rebuild

TruckDrivingFool said:

For your height I'd come up at least as high as the SplashWell. More importantly I'd look at your motor's shaft length and let that guide me. Have you given any thought to having a sheet of AL welded in to try and correct?

Click to expand...

This should help:


If the transom was hacked to fit the current motor that was on the boat, that may or may not allow the exterior transom skin to be raised to the level of the splashwell. May have been the #1 reason it was cut down, to fit the motor a previous owner already had. There are guidelines & estimates of approx transom heights & appropriate motor shaft lengths.

I scanned back thru & it doesn't seem as though the boat came to you w/ a motor.... So I'd probably raise the exterior skin & shop for a long shaft (probably, 20" +/- shaft) motor....

Re: 1970's 16 ft Aluminum Mackenzie Runabout Rebuild

Re: 1970's 16 ft Aluminum Mackenzie Runabout Rebuild

Thanks TDF and KFA for the adhisive information.

JB thanks for the transom height details. I am going to cut the new transom using the same height as before. I have a 70 HP long-shaft Johnson for the OB. It's a late 1970's without the electric shift.

Ok. So I got a few things done over the weekend.

Gunwales cut for the transom
Bilge/drain removed
Wire wheel interior hull
Power wash interior hull

I am pleased with the results from power washing the interior hull. Most of the crap and grit has been removed. Power washing really helped remove bits and pieces hiding under the stringers and such that I couldn't see. I am getting close to applying the Gluvit.



This arrived the other day



and this



Expect to cut the transom this week/end. And I need to JB weld the transom and gunwale holes.

Once the Gluvit is down LA boat will be ready to flip.