77 22' Chieftain outboard retrofit.

[HOLYSTEEL]

I bought this as a project boat (no motor wood rotting). I have gutted it down to the ribs...My intentions are to hang a 90 HP mariner tiller that I have on this boat..I need help on transom...Should I have a friend tig weld the insert (that used to be plywood) to the dimensions that I cut the transom down to or stick with plywood laminated with epoxy.. I noticed that the two stringers are kinda of flimsy and are cracked in a few places by the rivit area attached to the ribs...What is your opinion on replacing with some thicker gauge material...I intend to beef up the transom with two "L"supports attaching from the stringer to the transom. I want to go with a diamond plate floor covered in rubber bed liner. Also anybody need any chieftain parts reasonable $...I am cutting the top off and have windows, railings, console, gimbal bearing merc housing ect. ect. Thanks HS

 

[Kainon]

Re: 77 22' Chieftain outboard retrofit.

Hello, well I have tall stringers/floor joists in mine too and I had to redo about 10 rivets but when the floor is reinstalled they wont wiggle. Also though I admire the idea of Diamond plate, it's heavier than wood of the same size right ? so you'd be adding weight, then you want to cover it with truck bed liner ? hiding the diamond plate. check out this stuff. looks interesting, I was thinking about it, but it's a bit much $$ for me. http://www.marineflooring.net/about-dmf.html

How thick of a diamond plate would you do?

I priced a 4x8 @ $160 1/8" .. ouch!!

I've thought about using it myself but the cost and weight isn't something I want to give up.. and you want to push the 22' with a 90hp ? forgive me but I dont think you'd get it much past planing speed. But I'm frequently wrong these days..

ps.. I like the plywood idea, I used 2 3/4" but I have an I/O I think the OB's are different. And I've found the using CPES (clear penetrating epoxy sealer) is better than covering with epoxy.. www.rotdoctor.com (i used a 2 quart kit an it completely soaked it.. I have to drill pilot holes when putting in SS screws else I break screwdriver bits !!! and the peice I cut out of the transom for the I/O !! when you tap it, it rings like Leaded Crystal !!