1979 Klamath 14' Deluxe aluminum transom rebuild

[skycries57]

hello, I have a 79' 14' deluxe transom that looks like it either needs reinforcement or just replacing. All the wood on the benches are basically rotting off and the inside wood transom is somewhat weak. I bought the boat couple years ago for 300.00 and now in the process of making it strong enough for my 20hp honda, boat says its rated for a 25hp 2stroke, mine is a 4stroke so weight might be a factor.

All the metal on the front of the wood transom is welded down and I couldn't find any way to get the wood piece out.

If I was to just add 1/4 or 1/8" alum. plating, what is the best way to add strength. Sorry I'm really new at this.

Thanks for all the help guys! here are pictures.

Peter

 

[Woodonglass]

Re: 1979 Klamath 14' Deluxe transom rebuild

Re: 1979 Klamath 14' Deluxe transom rebuild

Do NOT hang a 20hp motor on a boat with a rotten transom. You will have to drill out the rivets on the braces to replace the wood. Better pics of the transom and the brackets etc will help us to help you.

 

[skycries57]

Re: 1979 Klamath 14' Deluxe transom rebuild

Re: 1979 Klamath 14' Deluxe transom rebuild

sorry my boat does not have rivets, it is all welded. Where ever you seen bolts, those are the only things that can be removed, everything else is welded down.

*** PICTURES HAVE BEEN UPDATED ***

I can't figure out how how this big piece of plywood can be removed? Thanks

 

[Woodonglass]

Re: 1979 Klamath 14' Deluxe aluminum transom rebuild

Good Pics! I would guess that the piece on the back was added. The aluminum angle and piece of plywood were probably not original to the boat. Maybe, but i suspect they were added as the original transom became rotted it was added to attempt to strenthen it. I believe i read a post on here where a guy had a similar issue and had to use a grinder to cut the corner braces off and then removed the bolts and slid it out. Then find a Welder to re-weld the corner braces back on. I will see if I can find that post and send it to you.
I would for sure encapsulate the new transom in Glass and resin so that I would NEVER have to do it again.

Good Luck

 

[Woodonglass]

Re: 1979 Klamath 14' Deluxe aluminum transom rebuild

Sorry but it looks like I was right

http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?t=236319&highlight=welded+aluminum+corner

 

[skycries57]

Re: 1979 Klamath 14' Deluxe aluminum transom rebuild

I remember speaking to a Klamath boat rep a couple months ago and he told me that the only thing that changed on the newer 2010 boats compared to my 1979 boat is only asthetics. The thickness,welds,metals,frame,etc is ALL the same, nothing has changed, only asthetics have changed.

See the pic I posted I got off the klamathboats.com web site. The transom double brace is still being used today, seeing that my 1979 has them too. So it looks like my boat is ALL STOCK, no mods.

Well guys, I'm thinking of just getting a 1/4" x 2' x 12" 5052 Aluminum plate and use 4 bolts to sandwich it to th transom and call it a day. I don't have the money to re weld,etc. What are your thoughts? Thanks again!

 

[randys]

Re: 1979 Klamath 14' Deluxe aluminum transom rebuild

The neat thing about Klamath and Gregor is that they are somewhat smaller makers, and you can talk to a person that actually knows how the boats are made. Klamath engineer foreman says that transom wood can not be removed/replaced without cutting metal. He could only imagine cutting the top and using the "plasma gun" to repair the metal afterwards.

(Not from Klamath reps.) From looking at old Klamaths and your pictures, how about replacing the transom with 2 pieces of wood? (Imagine your current transom cut horizontal/lengthwise. The "split" running across the top of the two transom-deck braces.) Slip in the bottom piece slightly lower than final position. Slip in the top piece underneath the top aluminum lip and above bottom wood piece. Raise lower piece slightly to its final position. Fix in place, and reinforce with aluminum angles as needed.

I think much of the strength of the Klamath design is the aluminum. Having the transom wood split will probably still give you plenty of support for your motor. If you completely support the "split" with aluminum angle, it will be plenty strong. While the top of the transom is straight, you may want to make a transom template before completely destroying the current wood in your attempt to remove.

I remember speaking to a Klamath boat rep What are your thoughts? Thanks again!

 

[skycries57]

Re: 1979 Klamath 14' Deluxe aluminum transom rebuild

The neat thing about Klamath and Gregor is that they are somewhat smaller makers, and you can talk to a person that actually knows how the boats are made. Klamath engineer foreman says that transom wood can not be removed/replaced without cutting metal. He could only imagine cutting the top and using the "plasma gun" to repair the metal afterwards.

(Not from Klamath reps.) From looking at old Klamaths and your pictures, how about replacing the transom with 2 pieces of wood? (Imagine your current transom cut horizontal/lengthwise. The "split" running across the top of the two transom-deck braces.) Slip in the bottom piece slightly lower than final position. Slip in the top piece underneath the top aluminum lip and above bottom wood piece. Raise lower piece slightly to its final position. Fix in place, and reinforce with aluminum angles as needed.

I think much of the strength of the Klamath design is the aluminum. Having the transom wood split will probably still give you plenty of support for your motor. If you completely support the "split" with aluminum angle, it will be plenty strong. While the top of the transom is straight, you may want to make a transom template before completely destroying the current wood in your attempt to remove.

I'm sorry but I cannot picture what you are trying to explain. thanks