mickjetblue
Chief Petty Officer
- Joined
- Aug 23, 2007
- Messages
- 509
I'm not sure of where to post this, as I have discovered what could be a
potentially serious design defect in my jon boat, and fixed it. It wasn't
really a project or restoration.
The problem is that the rearmost section of floor shelf has no support.
This is the section that mates to the transom, and where someone would
typically stand when adjusting the tilt on an outboard, or checking the prop,
or cleaning the intake of a jet drive with a cleaning tool.
Note the first pic, boatfix1.jpg, which shows the floor shelf piece flat.
All looks good there.
Note the second pic, boatfix2.jpg, and now you can see how the floor shelf
bows downward with just the weight of my foot on it. It bows about an inch.
The first time I stepped in that area with all of my weight, there was a loud
snap, and I almost lost my balance. Honestly, I didn't know what took place.
After the second time, I discovered the design defect that lets the floor
shelf piece bow downwards when weight is applied at the rear section.
My fix for this is visible in boatfix3.jpg. It shows an 18" piece of 14 gauge
plated steel angle. I used a vice to open the 90 degree angle to the greater
angle of the transom. I used # 12 self tapping screws into the transom, and
extra long rivets into the floor shelf piece. Now, there is no give with weight.
I am posting this so that some folks may become aware of the situation, if
they have a similar jon boat design. Mine is a Fisher, and I don't know how
many boats were made like this, or if they are still making them, or not.
I really enjoy this boat, and still would not part with it. I am aghast that
such a fluke managed to get by the designers, and dealers.
potentially serious design defect in my jon boat, and fixed it. It wasn't
really a project or restoration.
The problem is that the rearmost section of floor shelf has no support.
This is the section that mates to the transom, and where someone would
typically stand when adjusting the tilt on an outboard, or checking the prop,
or cleaning the intake of a jet drive with a cleaning tool.
Note the first pic, boatfix1.jpg, which shows the floor shelf piece flat.
All looks good there.
Note the second pic, boatfix2.jpg, and now you can see how the floor shelf
bows downward with just the weight of my foot on it. It bows about an inch.
The first time I stepped in that area with all of my weight, there was a loud
snap, and I almost lost my balance. Honestly, I didn't know what took place.
After the second time, I discovered the design defect that lets the floor
shelf piece bow downwards when weight is applied at the rear section.
My fix for this is visible in boatfix3.jpg. It shows an 18" piece of 14 gauge
plated steel angle. I used a vice to open the 90 degree angle to the greater
angle of the transom. I used # 12 self tapping screws into the transom, and
extra long rivets into the floor shelf piece. Now, there is no give with weight.
I am posting this so that some folks may become aware of the situation, if
they have a similar jon boat design. Mine is a Fisher, and I don't know how
many boats were made like this, or if they are still making them, or not.
I really enjoy this boat, and still would not part with it. I am aghast that
such a fluke managed to get by the designers, and dealers.
