Transom woes.

[starry-eyed]

A little more accomplished today and nearing time to bond the new transom plate to the original stern. I was reading "Another Maine Starchief" by Oldhaven and he made reference to vertical supports located on each side at the fore end of the splash-well extending from the gunwale to the floor. My boat does not have these (they may have been removed by a PO) and I am wondering if anyone would post a pic so I can see what they look like. As I have turned the corner from tear-out to re-construction, I am looking ahead to sequence what needs to be done to put t all back together and make any improvements as I move forward.

 

[oldhaven]

Check out Post 38 pictures in my Starchief thread. If you don't have them it would not be hard to fabricate a substitute. They help locate the side panels in addition to being structural supports. Perhaps my '67 was the first year for that, but they are a good idea.

Ron

 

[starry-eyed]

Thanks, Ron. I just looked at the pics and cannot tell how they attach at the floor and the gunwale. I have some stainless and some aluminum channel that I can cut to fit. Your post #38 says that they attach also to the rub rail bolt and my rub rail attachment bolt is several inches aft of the front edge if the splash well. I am assuming that the braces are placed just at the front edge of the splash well.

Also, I have some electrolysis rot in the transom skin and intend on using J-B Weld for repairs. Is is available for use on aluminum? The stuff I saw today utilizes steel in the mixture and I was apprehensive to buy it. Also again, do you know what the coverage is for one tube of 5200? That stuff is expensive and I don't want to buy more than necessary but I want to be sure I have enough for the new transom plate, approx. 7' X 1' plus the upper "ears".

Please feel free to comment on my most recent 3-4 posts so I can stay on course. . . . .

 

[Watermann]

I don't use the fast cure 5200 which is more spendy, I use the regular and buy a construction tube of it at a time for my projects at 16 bucks a tube I can't say that's expensive.

I used Marine Tex on my transom skin for the pitting but the steel reinforced JB hasn't been seen as a problem until you want to sand it that is. :lol:

 

[starry-eyed]

Thanks, Watermann, I will get the slower cure, the stuff I saw yesterday was $24 for a regular size (caulking tube). Will one construction tube be enough to butter the new plate?

 

[Watermann]

Thanks, Watermann, I will get the slower cure, the stuff I saw yesterday was $24 for a regular size (caulking tube). Will one construction tube be enough to butter the new plate?

Yes, it just needs to cover with a light layer, over do it and that stuff will run out and be wasted.

 

[starry-eyed]

I just returned from a three week RV trip and got back on the Starchief again. Prior to leaving I filled all of the rot and unnecessary holes in the original aluminum stern and painted the interior surface with POR 15. Then, after an application of metal prep, I attached the new aluminum transom plate to the original with 5200 and a mix of clamps and bolts which was allowed to cure while away on the RV adventure.

 

[starry-eyed]

The new transom board was treated with two coats of West System epoxy and is now ready to slide into place. All of the holes have been pre-drilled through the wood and the newly attached transom plate.

 

[Watermann]

Looks good, new clean AL always does tho :lol:

 

[starry-eyed]

The work has been progressing in spurts, its hard to stay focused between RV camping and hunting season. I cut, shaped, and installed the king starboard over the freshly painted transom and 1/4 inch transom plate and thru-drilled the remaining necessary holes. The splash well has been re-installed and repainted and new gunwale end caps were installed. Its beginning to look like a complete boat again!

 

[Watermann]

Nice work, really looks good and well done. Should last about forever too :thumb:

 

[starry-eyed]

FINALLY ! ! ! The trolling motor bracket has been installed onto the completed transom, everything sealed, caulked, and painted. Its been a looooong three years with many delays and frustrations, but a splash is imminent! I couldn't have done this without iBOATS and my fellow Stracrafters so a BIG SHOUT-OUT to all that guided me thru the process, especially Waterman, jbcurt00, GA-Boater, Tnstratofam, oldhaven, Scott Danforth, and No-AH. I put the ear muffs on the Johnson 70 for cooling and within a few minutes she was purring like a kitten. Next I'll clean construction dirt from the rear deck and cabin, polish the wood, test the electrics and electronics, and prepare for the SPLASH PARTY.

 

[Watermann]

Fine work you've done there :thumb:

It's great to see another old Chief ready to hit the waves once again in all their glory.

 

[starry-eyed]

Prior work on the boat includes a 1/4 inch aluminum sub-deck over-laid with 1/2 inch marine plywood, a complete re-wire, replacement of the cabin bulkhead, rebuilt helm, and a radio console with new switches. I used a combination of mahogany, teak, and cherry for all of the woodwork.

 

[starry-eyed]

Here's a close-up of the radio console which includes a marine radio, a CB radio, navigation and deck light switches, a Humminbird, and several fuse blocks.

 

[starry-eyed]

The helm rebuild consists of new gauges (tach, speedo, volt meter, and fuel), a new wheel, and another switch panel for the horn and bilge pump, plus additional fuse blocks. I also installed a AM/FM cassette radio with speakers in the cabin.

 

[starry-eyed]

We are off to Dworshak Reservoir in North Idaho for the long-awaited splash!

 

[starry-eyed]

She floats and goes, it must be wake Wednesday! A beautiful day for a boat ride......

 

[starry-eyed]

Last post - W O T! ! ! 28MPH at 5500 RPM, pretty good for a big ol' boat. Can't wait to wet a line.

 

[Watermann]

She floats and goes, it must be wake Wednesday! A beautiful day for a boat ride......

She cuts a fine wake too! :thumb: