Transom question

[Ejipner]

do the splash wells add structural support to the transom? I am replacing mine and was thinking about widening the opening so I can put my trolling motor directly to the transom. Doing so I would be getting rid of the aluminum splash wells and building custom ones out of fiberglass.

 

[jbcurt00]

Aluminum boat? Could have asked in the rebuild topic..... or included more info....

When the transom ply gets soft/rots, the splashwell develops cracks, strongly suggests 1 supports the other.

Same for chine cracking and side panels @ soft decks/floors.

Glass splashwell on an aluminum boat? Why not fab 1 out of aluminum, or modify the existing splashwell.....

 

[MTboatguy]

I would not do it, the splash well on the majority of aluminum boats is actually part of the structural integrity of the boat.

 

[Scott Danforth]

Splashwell is structural

 

[Watermann]

There are a couple recent restos here where the guys re-sized their SS splashwell and transom cutout, what model SC do you have?

 

[Ejipner]

I have an islander. Thanks for all the advice. I will just put it back as normal. I just got it out and saw how much space was being used up on it, thought it would be great to get that for more deck room.

 

[Watermann]

Candutch did a super job on his SS with a SW modification, check out his SOTY winner SS thread. I'm sure he will help you out on how he did it.

 

[Candutch]

Resizing the splash well is totally doable. You just have to make sure that you use the proper materials and tie everything in structurally. Have a look at my rebuild to see how I replaced the ss splashwell with a deck and smaller one.
If I had a long leg kicker I could have avoided the kicker bracket and mounted it to the transom.
I'll gladly help you out if you have any questions just ask.