install a tunnel?

[dmessy]

Somebody out there has did this...<br />I got a free Hydro Sports, tri hull,16',fiberglass bass boat which I striped for parts. I've gutted the interior down to the flooring in hopes of making it into a shallow water boat(flat deck,tiller steer..real basic). The transom height is too tall for a short shaft motor I'd like to install and IF I cut it down low enough so the lower leg foil is at the bottom of the hull, I beleive water may swamp inside.<br />My brain storm is to make a tunnel approx. 6" x6" x 30" out of 14 gauge aluminum and graft it onto the bottom. Yea or Nay?

 

[JB]

Re: install a tunnel?

I can't picture what you are proposing, DMessy.<br /><br />The usual way of dealing with water coming in over a low transom is a splash well on the front of the transom that catches the water and feeds it back out through drains located about 6" above the bottom. Go find some pictures of small salt water boats like Boston Whalers and Carolina Skiffs and see how the sterns are arranged.<br /><br />Good luck.<br />Red sky at night. . . <br />JB

 

[dmessy]

Re: install a tunnel?

I'd have to cut down to within 1" of the splashwell deck to get to the right height. This is a clamp on type outboard, therefore I'd acually have to cut into(no no) the splashwell deck for the clamp. I've scoped out xpress tunnels(and others)and it seems a tunnel may be a workable solution in my case. The tunnel will allow me to maintain the transome height yet give me a shallower draft. Would the boat handle acceptablly? It probably won't go much over 20MPH max. anyhow. I'd appreciate any feedback on this idea. Thanks

 

[joe parker]

Re: install a tunnel?

it might be easier to make your short shaft into a long shaft

 

[epresutti]

Re: install a tunnel?

Have you considered using a gill bracket, haven't seen them on tri-hulls, so don't really know.<br /><br />Just a thought.<br /><br />Cheers.<br /><br />emp.