1959 FD transom replacement

[alf1960]

I am about half finished replacing the transom in my FD. I removed the oak transom board and had an identical one made. A few coats of urathane and it will be ready to go back in. I bought some gasket material to put back in behind it. I need to get the tags off the old board and put them on the new one also. I had to remove the two braces that are rivited in the transom tray in order to get the board out and back in. I guess I will replace the rivits with stainles bolts. I need to find a piece of 3/8 (9mm) marine plywood for the back. Haven`t had any luck yet. I really dont want to buy the whole sheet and use only 9 inches of it. About 70 bucks plus I would have to drive to the twin cities area to get it. Anybody in west central wisconsin area have a piece I could buy??I also just purchased a 1959 full color Alumacraft brochure in mint condition on ebay. Can`t wait till it gets here. After this project gets completed just have to wait till warmer weather to try her out. She will be as good as new. I really like these old boats. Alan

 

[ropntoz]

Re: 1959 FD transom replacement

Hi there, I'm doing the same to mine but instead of the plywood I'm planing down a nice piece of oak to about 3/8" for the back of transom. what do you think of this approach? there are pics of my boat on my thread.

Ropntoz

 

[alf1960]

Re: 1959 FD transom replacement

I am curious to see if the oak cracks or not being that thin. If it doesn`t and you keep it sealed good to protect it from rot, it should work okay. I have been thinking about using a good piece of regular plywood and keeping it sealed good. My boat will probably never be left in the water more than a few days anyway. I am mainly using it for an annual trip to Canada for a week of fishing.

 

[ropntoz]

Re: 1959 FD transom replacement

Do you have any pics of your boat? and you may be right about the oak cracking, so I may just make my own laminate with thin sheets of oak and really waterproof it.