Need to replace outer transom board

guy48065

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Aug 31, 2008
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First of all... I assume this plate has a name but I couldn't find it.
Anyways mine is crumbling so I drilled out the 4 rivets holding it to the inner transom board (itself in good condition) and removed it to use as a template. It's a scant ¼" thick so I want to replace it with a thicker piece. Considering using ordinary 11/32" (9mm) bcx plywood. Is that acceptable for infrequent use? Should I consider pvc trim board?
This is on a 12-foot aluminum boat that only gets about 4hrs use each year.IMG_20230729_144331.jpg
 

silverbul

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May 19, 2023
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I'm sure plywood would be fine, 11/32" (9mm) bcx plywood would be good.
 

Scott Danforth

Grumpy Vintage Moderator still playing with boats
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It's a scuff plate for outboards that get removed frequently.

I would get a piece of 1/4" white oak plywood
 

airshot

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Jul 22, 2008
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We used to refer to them as a clamp board in the old days. Outboards had a couple small little feet on the transom clamp that would bite into the wood to keep the motor from slipping off the transom. Easy to replace fairly often...
 

guy48065

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Aug 31, 2008
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Yeah I assumed it was intended to a sacrificial part because of the ridiculously thin plywood that was used but it would have been better had they used bolts instead of rivets to attach it.

I've seen a lot of really ugly attempts to repair or replace this piece over the years. Hopefully I can do better.

And Scott I get where you're coming from with the white oak suggestion but I've never seen oak exterior-rated plywood. I'd be concerned it would quickly delaminate into decay-resistant-oak layers.
 

Scott Danforth

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White oak is rot resistant. Old timers wood preservative and spar varnish will keep it preserved
 
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