using a Transom Plate to protect from damage ?

[JJB]

I am changing my motor from a 150 force to a 175 Johnson . I notice on the Right lower engine mount the glass is recessed a bit .I am going to fill it in but I wanted to beef it up a little by putting a plate on the outside . Should it be made of ss or alum. ? And what thickness and size should it be to be effective ? Thanks . JJB

 

[bennysku]

Re: using a Transom Plate to protect from damage ?

If the fiberglass is just recessed and not cracked or split I would suggest an aluminum plate for less corrosion in time, but if the recessed piece is split or largely cracked I would use ss for the extra strength. I used aluminum on my older boat w/ 150hp and it worked fine. I don't remember what the thickness was though.

 

[Mark42]

Re: using a Transom Plate to protect from damage ?

When you remove the outboard, probe the bolt holes with a sharp screwdriver looking for soft spots. The recess you see may be from water leaking in around the bolts and allowing rot to start.

If you do find wet soft wood, take a 1/4" bit and drill a few holes in the area from the inside of the transom to find solid wood, or the extent of wet damaged wood. Be sure to wrap some tape on the bit as a depth gauge so you don't drill right through. This will give you a good idea of the transom condition.

If the soft spot is just local, and there is good wood around it, you might try using a hole saw to remove a core of the bad spot, then fill back in solid with epoxy and glass fiber filler. Then drill new bolt holes.

Good luck.

Mark.

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: using a Transom Plate to protect from damage ?

Is it recessed a bit as a result of crushing the wood inside the transom? If water infiltrated into the wood you could be compressing a soft spot with rot.

Do some serious investigation before putting a plate on the back. Be certian to check BOTH sides of the transom. Going from a 150 Force to a 175 Johnson is a big jump. You should be sure the boat is ready

 

[JJB]

Re: using a Transom Plate to protect from damage ?

Thanks for the input and I will check tomorrow for wood rot . all the holes seem very solid except the one hole look like it crush the glass into the wood a bit , the hole there seem dry but it has been sitting . If the rot is only in a small spot must it be removed or can it be sealed , The boat is on a trailer and been sitting for 5 months . It be very hard to get to the lower holes inside in the bilge to drill . I guess I would need to drill them from outside and check !

 

[JJB]

Re: using a Transom Plate to protect from damage ?Found wet and black wood

Re: using a Transom Plate to protect from damage ?Found wet and black wood

I did do some drilling and found a lot of wet and black wood in the left side Motor mount top and bottom . it seems to be wet very deep and the boat has been out of the water for 6 months . Is there a way to dry it out and inject or repair with out a major replacment repair ? none of the glass has bubble and I knocked on the transom and seems like there no hollow spots or soft spots . It fooled me because it seem soild no cracks at all . I guess it not worth to replace the transom on a 20 ' bayliner , so I be looking for a short term fix for a few yrs if that can be done .