Increase transom height?

[ts]

Anyone have an opinion on increasing the transom height on my '79 Chieftain from 20" to 25" when I replace it?

The details:

- don't have a working outboard, so I could purchase a 25"
- have to replace the splash well since the PO tore up the original, and I'd like to do the aft deck like the newer Tracker Targa V-18 (25" transom height)

Thoughts on this anyone?

 

[ezmobee]

Re: Increase transom height?

I had the same desire for my SS. Didn't really materialize though. I ended up just getting 2 jump seats and I'm going to build a casting deck/box between them. I'd love to see what you come up with!!

 

[ts]

Re: Increase transom height?

Thanks EZ, you know I just thought about the physics of it and I'm wondering if that extra 5" is going to require extra bracing...like maybe a taller/longer knee brace, or maybe a second and third on each side of the main one? Geez, I don't know how that would play out.

Did you get that far when you thought it through?

 

[ezmobee]

Re: Increase transom height?

No. I just looked at that big 'ol splash well and realized I had no desire to cut it down and/or do any metal fabricating.

The only concern I would have, and this may be completely baseless.......but think about when the splashwell does the most "work"....when your boat comes off plane and you get that wave that comes and slaps the stern. I wonder if your boat, being a heavier and more substantial cuddy model as compared to the new Trackers and other small splashwell new boats we're modeling this off of, would produce a larger stern-slappin' wave when you came off plane. Again, just something to think about, I have no idea if it would actually be an issue.

 

[ts]

Re: Increase transom height?

Yeah, that reminds me. Since all of us with 18's have basically the same hull (It seems like it didn't change for years and years), how much water comes toward the stern when you come off plane? I've seen some boats where it is a WHOLE LOT of water!

Is this the case with these 18's?

That's partly why I'm thinking of adding the 5" to the transom height as well...

 

[ts]

Re: Increase transom height?

Anyone have a good video of this?

 

[Huron Angler]

Re: Increase transom height?

Yeah, that reminds me. Since all of us with 18's have basically the same hull (It seems like it didn't change for years and years), how much water comes toward the stern when you come off plane? I've seen some boats where it is a WHOLE LOT of water!

Is this the case with these 18's?

That's partly why I'm thinking of adding the 5" to the transom height as well...

This is one of the first things I tested when I had my 16' SS on the water last November. I wanted to know how likely it will be to take water on in the splashwell so I could think it over all winter.

I had the boat planed out and brought the throttle back quickly...and I couldn't get ANY water to roll in at all. I tried a few times since I figured I would be able to soak it pretty good but no dice.

This may change once I have the rig loaded down more and have 4-5 people on board.

Granted the 18' hulls are heavier, especially if you have a large fuel tank that's full, so performance may vary, but I was happy to see it stay dry.

I am going to be exploring options as far as building a deck above the splashwell, so it can still function as intended but also easy to stand on when fishing. We'll see how that goes later this summer.