Do I need two transom brace supports?

[jwhitjr]

Hi, I have been reading your questions for several weeks in anticipation of rebuilding a '74 Sears (Arrow Glass) 14' aluminum flat bottomed jon boat. I was working on another boat but couldn't turn this deal down. To make a long story short, I am removing all of the outside paint down to bare aluminum, sanding/sand blasting it and recoating all of the outside it all with epoxy then marine top paint. Maybe using fiberglass cloth on the hull and transom just to stop any potential leaks. The transom has two typical (knee) braces that were put on durning the last restore. Unfortunately, they were put in through the wood with ss screws but regular metal through the hull and were a rusted mess before I took them out. I am also replacing the wood.

My question to all you boat builders out there is this, do I need to put both braces back on? Will one (mid-way between the starboard side and the middle of the transom) give me enough support? If I only use one, I will have a perfect spot for my 6gal gas tank next to the transom. I have a '80 Evinrude 15 waiting to be bolted up. I can certainly cover the screw holes in the hull with epoxy and fiberglass cloth. I appreciate being a new member to this site and would appreciate any guidenance or opinions that you might offer. Thanks.

 

[jigngrub]

Re: Do I need two transom brace supports?

We really need pictures of your transom set-up to help you.

I would say if you have 2 braces, you need 2 braces.

The biggest thing:

Fiberglass cloth and resin have no place on an aluminum boat... EVER!!! It won't bond completely and will come loose over time. Then you've got to scrape that crap off and do it right.

Leaks are way to easy to fix in and aluminum boat with the proper preparations.
To fix leaky rivets use this method:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L0MA1-5NXjs&feature=related

To fix leaky seams use either Coat-it or Gluvit.

To fix cracks or big holes either weld or use this method:
http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?t=536250&highlight=efdog

We're here to help you stay on the right path for your restoration.

 

[mrdjflores]

Re: Do I need two transom brace supports?

really need pics to make that judgment call one 1 or 2 braces...i've seen many that were one way or the other...all depends on the construction of the boat and also what your planning on do with it engine wise

 

[jwhitjr]

Re: Do I need two transom brace supports?

Thanks to you both! I will try to get a hull picture in the next day or so. The supports (braces) have been removed.

I am using a two-part epoxy not a resin for the boat. The fiberglass cloth go in between two layers of a one to one mix marine epoxy and should stick to the aluminum quite well. Thanks.

 

[64osby]

Re: Do I need two transom brace supports?

Maybe using fiberglass cloth on the hull and transom just to stop any potential leaks.

The biggest thing: Fiberglass cloth and resin have no place on an aluminum boat... EVER!!! It won't bond completely and will come loose over time. Then you've got to scrape that crap off and do it right.

Leaks are way to easy to fix in and aluminum boat with the proper preparations.
To fix leaky rivets use this method:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L0MA1-5NXjs&feature=related

To fix leaky seams use either Coat-it or Gluvit. ....... We're here to help you stay on the right path for your restoration.

I am using a two-part epoxy not a resin for the boat. The fiberglass cloth go in between two layers of a one to one mix marine epoxy and should stick to the aluminum quite well. Thanks.

I'm with jigngrub, Gluvit or Coat-it will do everything and more than any resin / epoxy and cloth. They are an epoxy made for sealing Alum boats.

I did my Lone Star 14 with Gluvit a couple months ago and it sealed everything. It used to leak like a sieve. Cost about $70 bones and worth every dime. One day to apply and then prime and paint after.

Good luck with the project and Welcome to iboats

 

[GA_Boater]

Re: Do I need two transom brace supports?

I am using a two-part epoxy not a resin for the boat. The fiberglass cloth go in between two layers of a one to one mix marine epoxy and should stick to the aluminum quite well. Thanks.

No, it won't stick for long. Aluminum expands and contracts too much and the bond will fail. Also you will spend a lot more $$$ glassing over the hull than a can of Gluvit. The Gluvit is made to seal minor leaks like rivets and seams in AL and works well.

Post up the pics so we can see what you're dealing with on the braces. You may not need them if they weren't original and might have been added to avoid fixing the transom. Just guessing without the pics.

Welcome to iboats, JW. Have fun and good luck

 

[Woodonglass]

Re: Do I need two transom brace supports?

Thanks to you both! I will try to get a hull picture in the next day or so. The supports (braces) have been removed.

I am using a two-part epoxy not a resin for the boat. The fiberglass cloth go in between two layers of a one to one mix marine epoxy and should stick to the aluminum quite well. Thanks.

Epoxy is resin. The members that have responded have a lot of experience restoring and maintaining aluminum boats. I have some experience with Fiberglass and Fiberglass boats, and I totally agree with them that Epoxy resin and cloth has only a couple of uses on an aluminum boat and neither of them is directly on the aluminum. The wood transom and the wood seats(if you have them) should be coated with epoxy and or Cloth but that's about the only places its needed. Gluvit or Coat-It are epoxy based products formulated to be used on Aluminum in that they are more flexible than normal epoxy products. IMHO you should really listen and heed the advice given by these guys. But...It's your boat and you can do with it as you wish, we are only trying to pass on what we have learned from our experience.

 

[jwhitjr]

Re: Do I need two transom brace supports?

View attachment untitled.bmp

This photo shows the hull where the 2 braces were attached. Six holes each. The braces seemed to be attached by the past owner as he used steel screws to attach it to the hull (that were badly rusted) and ss screws through the wood of the transom. Also, the braces' were painted differently from the inside color.

I am thinking about only replacing the starboard brace and leaving the port side brace off to make room for the gas tank. I am planning to hanging a '80 model15 HP Evinrude on it. The 14' boat is a fairly heavy Eldocraft and I will probably take the wood within several inches from the bottom of the hull for additional support. I can patch the holes with no problem. It would be a handy space and keep the gas can from sliding around. Thanks again for your opinions.