[Chris from Mich]

Thanks Jones! I'll definitely do that! I'm debating if I should just cut it out completely and beef it up with all aluminum or just put wood back in there and patch the holes... What would everyone else do?

 

[eshaw]

Leave the wood out! I'd just go with a new piece on the transom, but that's me. Get some aluminum to fill in were the wood was, just rememer that eventually you'll have a heavier motor back there. You'll be a whole lot happier in the long run with no wood back there.

 

[Payphone Jones]

The only time you need any wood in that boat is if you're pourin the coals to your ol' lady, and that's a fact Jack.

 

[Chris from Mich]

Haha that's funny Jones! I gotta look up some boat builds for some transom stiffening ideas. Maybe 2x4 tube. I saw carp commander build one once but can't find the thread again... I also want to run a tiller so I can't make that rear bench as long as it was from the factory.

 

[bowmandan]

Cut the transom off, replace with 3/16 aluminum sheet. Then stiffen with 2x4 aluminum channel or rectangular tubing across top and two uprights from floor to upper channel about 8 inches apart or 4 inches each way from center.

 

[Chris from Mich]

Could I do this to my 1/8" sides? Then run vertical supports to the floor ribs and enclose with sheet. It would act as a top side support and a walk around/bench?
Shout out to Rambo for the pic from his video

 

[bowmandan]

I don't see why not

 

[Payphone Jones]

Your boat is getting heavy.

 

[GaryBriggs]

You can literally do what ever you imagine.

 

[eshaw]

Before you get too crazy with additional weight bare in mind that your hull is on the skinny side for the length. The more weight you add the less shallow the draft. You can always add some pods though.

 

[Chris from Mich]

Think that the sides, even though they flex a little bit will be alright just the way they are?

If I don't stiffen the gunnels will it be OK if I put my raised deck on the gunnels? I was thinking about putting C channel pads to hug the gunnels to keep from flexing.

 

[Payphone Jones]

Thanks Jones! I'll definitely do that! I'm debating if I should just cut it out completely and beef it up with all aluminum or just put wood back in there and patch the holes... What would everyone else do?

Since you asked........I'd fix the transom, brace things up a little where the seat used to be, put a light weight flush deck up front, use it for a while and save that piece of 3/16 for a little heavier duty project. This won't be your last boat, I promise. :hb:

Edit: Welding that 3/16, or even 1/8 for that matter, to that hull is going to be a challenge with a MIG.

 

[GaryBriggs]

Since you asked........I'd fix the transom, brace things up a little where the seat used to be, put a light weight flush deck up front, use it for a while and save that piece of 3/16 for a little heavier duty project. This won't be your last boat, I promise. :hb:

Edit: Welding that 3/16, or even 1/8 for that matter, to that hull is going to be a challenge with a MIG.

Lmao, I welded 1/4 plate to my .075 hull, go big or go home.

 

[Chris from Mich]

I'll see if I can get a piece of aluminum from the scrap yard that's clean enough to make a transom out of. Briggs what size channel or tube did you use to support that bullet proof transom?

 

[Chris from Mich]

Worse case I get it tacked up and take it to a welding shop to tig weld it if I can't get it

 

[GaryBriggs]

I'll see if I can get a piece of aluminum from the scrap yard that's clean enough to make a transom out of. Briggs what size channel or tube did you use to support that bullet proof transom?

My transom looked just like yours, holes everwhere. I cladded it with 1/4" and gusseted it on the inside with 2.5x2.5 angle. Neither of these materials would have been my first choice, but they were free from the scrap rack at work, beggars can't be choosers.

 

[Payphone Jones]

Lmao, I welded 1/4 plate to my .075 hull, go big or go home.

You Jedi welders don't understand what it's like for mortals.

 

[GaryBriggs]

You Jedi welders don't understand what it's like for mortals.

I would love to tell you there were no hiccups but that was simply not the case. I tried to weld somewhat cold at first and that didn't work. I ended up cranking up the heat, changing my angle to focus the majority of the heat into the 1/4 plate as opposed to the 39 year old .075 hull, and getting after it.

Never welded so fast in my life. Can't dilly dally on aluminum, speed in your friend.

 

[Chris from Mich]

Got a little work done on the deck. All welded up. Aluminum is a totally different animal than steel! Hopefully I'll be messing with it tonight!

 

[Delawareriver]

Had to much weight in the front of my 1872 sea ark. 1st owner wasn't a bowfisher and messed up keel than did shotty job fixing. 2nd owner beefed it up for bowfishing but abused it. Than I abused the shot out of it. Big waves flexing hull front to back with heavy weight front to back. Cracked the keel and almost sunk, bandaid fix with just a weld over Crack. Next year recracked it. Now cut 3" aluminum pipe in half, bent with the shaped it to keel and welded and capped front to back. Definitely stiffened it up.