Is it needed?

[kbh121956]

On the outside of my 1971 StarCraft 18' SS is a triangular shaped piece of wood where the outboard mounts up. My question is, is it needed? I restored this boat a few years back and this plywood doesn't hold up well. The paint peels, looks terrible.

 

[racerone]

Make it out of 1/2" aluminum plate.----Shine it up or powder coat it for lasting beauty.

 

[kbh121956]

Make it out of 1/2" aluminum plate.----Shine it up or powder coat it for lasting beauty.

I was thinking of 1/2 white plastic. 1/2" aluminum would look very nice if I could find it.

 

[BWR1953]

HDPE cutting board would work.

 

[ShoestringMariner]

1/4” aluminum would work well. I will never use wood again

 

[Scott Danforth]

The wood is a scuff shield

It was originally for the motor clamps to bite into

Could use aluminum, or a chunk of carbon fiber plate

 

[Watermann]

Answer is no it's not needed in fact... The wooden motor pad is an outdated addition to the transom. It rots, compresses and creates an area that starts corrosion.

My SS had one and I used a piece of .100 Al to cover up non-BIA standard outboard mounting holes and some pitting from the wood. Back buttered with 5200 and clamped in place to set prior to painting the hull.

 

[kbh121956]

1/4” aluminum would work well. I will never use wood again

Thank you to those that replied back. I will look into the HDPE. It also comes in black or white.