Introduction and a little bit of advice.

[polevaulter95]

First time poster here, long time lurker...

Let's start this thing out right. Last year I acquired a 1986 17' polarcraft mod-v aluminum boat. She is powered by a 40hp Johnson with a jetdrive on making the engine rated at 28hp. I like the boat and use it for fishing and hunting. However, the weight of that engine has taken it's toll on the transom. The previous owner had put a jack plate on the back in order to move the jet up, but it has started to crack at it's edges and tunnel.

I have read many threads on transom repair and feel I have a basic understanding. I wanted a shop that I had previously worked out a deal with to do the repair, but I can not get ahold of him at this point. I have mechanical knowledge, but zero welding skills. Is this a job that I can take to any aluminum welder? It has wood in it, but it is completely surrounded by aluminum. Do I need to put wood back in? Can I just re-brace it all? So many questions....


Thanks for reading my winded story here. Look forward to your ideas and help with this one.
-David

 

[alldodge]

Re: Introduction and a little bit of advice.

First time poster here, long time lurker...

Let's start this thing out right. Last year I acquired a 1986 17' polarcraft mod-v aluminum boat. She is powered by a 40hp Johnson with a jetdrive on making the engine rated at 28hp. I like the boat and use it for fishing and hunting. However, the weight of that engine has taken it's toll on the transom. The previous owner had put a jack plate on the back in order to move the jet up, but it has started to crack at it's edges and tunnel.

I have read many threads on transom repair and feel I have a basic understanding. I wanted a shop that I had previously worked out a deal with to do the repair, but I can not get ahold of him at this point. I have mechanical knowledge, but zero welding skills. Is this a job that I can take to any aluminum welder? It has wood in it, but it is completely surrounded by aluminum. Do I need to put wood back in? Can I just re-brace it all? So many questions....


Thanks for reading my winded story here. Look forward to your ideas and help with this one.
-David

:welcome: to iboats David

You can take the boat to anyone which knows how to weld aluminum. If the wood of the transom is not rotted you should be fine. What is the comment meant by Do I need to put wood back in?

 

[polevaulter95]

Re: Introduction and a little bit of advice.

The question with regards to wood is that if I had it welded all back together, would I still need to put wood in between the aluminum? Would a solid aluminum transom being over kill? Even possible? I am trying to get pictures up to get ideas.

 

[alldodge]

Re: Introduction and a little bit of advice.

The question with regards to wood is that if I had it welded all back together, would I still need to put wood in between the aluminum? Would a solid aluminum transom being over kill? Even possible? I am trying to get pictures up to get ideas.

The easy way to go is to weld up the cracks and then put wood back in place. If you had a solid aluminum channel made this would be stronger but a bit of an over kill for a 40HP. I would guess it cracked the first time because the wood became soft, use oak, ash or popular and it should be fine.

 

[polevaulter95]

Re: Introduction and a little bit of advice.




My Proposal is this. Best way to get my transom all the way across with the red line in order to get rid of the jack plate.
I am thinking having a full channel "cap" welded in all the way across. Then fill in the void that would be created with aluminum sheeting. This is where I would wonder if I need to put wood back into this area. Possibly also running supports from the back of the boat, up high from the new cap to the bench seat.

Am I onto something here or plum crazy?

 

[jbcurt00]

Re: Introduction and a little bit of advice.

the weight of that engine has taken it's toll on the transom. The previous owner had put a jack plate on the back in order to move the jet up, but it has started to crack at it's edges and tunnel.

Tunnel?

Pix of the jack plate, it's attachment points, the transom cracks & transom in general would be great.

W/out seeing what you're talking about, I wouldn't suggest welding or a wood-free solid aluminum transom.

If you can't get the wood back into the transom, how would you get what's in there out?

 

[Woodonglass]

Re: Introduction and a little bit of advice.

In order for us to give you good advice we're gunna need good pics of the top cap of your transom, the inner skin of the transom and any and all braces and corner caps that come into play. I'm NOT a "Tinner" but...If the MFG put it together, You can take it apart, it's just a matter of what the best method will be in order to put it back together again. Don't want to be "Humpty Dumpty"!!!!!

 

[polevaulter95]

Re: Introduction and a little bit of advice.

I will take better pictures tomorrow after work and get them up. Just want to make sure I do this right the first time...
Thanks

 

[jasoutside]

Re: Introduction and a little bit of advice.

Hey vaulter, welcome to the dry dock!

We have seen these kind of transoms before. Where that totally wrap the wood in alum. They are a real pain to try and repair unfortunately.

First you need to know that the alum itself really doesn't have any strength/structure value. Well, some, but not very much anyway. It's the combo of the wood and the alum that work together that make the strength of the transom.

Really, what needs to happen, is you need to get all that wood out, replace it with sealed up new stuff and then put the alum back as best you can. That might involve welding, or rivets, or both.

Hope that makes sense anyhow.

Cheers!:watermelon:

 

[polevaulter95]

Re: Introduction and a little bit of advice.

Thank you sir^. That pretty sold me on putting wood back into the mix. I know ya'll like pictures so here is what I am working with.

Assuming I am going to have to cut out rivets and basically disassemble the back of this boat to get the wood out?

Did I mention I got a really good deal on the boat....? ha

 

[polevaulter95]

Re: Introduction and a little bit of advice.


Here are plates that are riveted in, to fill the low spot in the back of the boat made by the normal line of the transom and the jack plate. This is where I want to have solid wood through and a solid C-Channel of aluminum on top all the way across. What do you think?

Would having welded aluminum supports following the lines of the top straps(see photo) be beneficial if I reinforced the seat? I saw in another thread where a little aluminum had some sort of "rough water" package that had a similar thing going on.


Thanks again guys! I actually am leaving the 27th to go fish the white river in Arkansas and would like to keep the motor on the boat and not in the bottom of the river...

 

[jbcurt00]

Re: Introduction and a little bit of advice.

What's that riveted plate on the port (left) side of the motor for? Seems to have that black hose running thru it, what's that for?

Take the motor OFF & post a shot of the inside & outside of the transom. Actually take everything you can off the transom.

Those orange straps are KEEPING the motor & transom in place by tying them to the rear bench seat?

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: Introduction and a little bit of advice.

Total re-design of the transom and the knee brace. The knee brace will need to be longer and provide support closer to the motor.

I would strongly suggest you locate a local person who will and can weld aluminum. The fabrication will be easy and I can vision a much stronger transom. I would also consider a making larger corner braces.

Looks like a great project!