what to build a motor housing (doghouse) out of ????

[elkhunter338]

The motor housing on my 1986 Cheiftain has seen better days. The bottom is starting to rot, all the staples that hold the insulation for sound deadening are rusty.
Right now the housing is made of 3/4 plywood, and I painted it white.

I would like to build it out of something maintenance free and will not rot, cost is always a factor.
I have ruled out alum (cost, do not have welder).
Like something other than plywood that would hold up to moisture better.

Thought about using 1/2 plywood, putting strip of mahogany along the bottom to prevent rot, cover the whole motor housing with black ABS plastic (1/16") textured (painted white). used abs on another project and it seems to be holding up well. Down side to abs is it expands and contracts a lot need to use some stainless screws to hold it on (also glue).

Any ideas on anything that comes in 1/2 to 3/4 thick material that is weather resistant that I could make a new motor housing out of ?

The rest of the wood in the boat is marine plywood, primed, painted with white paint. However as all plywood/paint does it is starting to crack, not pealing yet where it has been exposed to weather. So this is not the best solution.

 

[CaptainKickback]

Re: what to build a motor housing out of ????

Re: what to build a motor housing out of ????

20 views and no replies yet. Means people aren't sure they can help.

I think if you post some pics, you'll get lots of help.

 

[ezmobee]

Re: what to build a motor housing out of ????

Re: what to build a motor housing out of ????

Thread moved the renamed. Should help.

 

[Bwana Don]

Re: what to build a motor housing out of ????

Re: what to build a motor housing out of ????

Fiberglass?? Make a form from styrofoam then glass over it.

http://www.bertram31.com/proj/tips/pvc.htm
Starboard etc..

My choice would be to use aruaco plywood then epoxy over it. West System has a good epoxy. Then use a covering like vinyl or Nautilex Shark etc over top and sides.

Interesting discussion, I don't know if I helped or not. Good luck ElkHunter. You could check in the boatbuilding sites, they would know all the different plastics used nowadays.

 

[GT1000000]

Re: what to build a motor housing (doghouse) out of ????

cost is always a factor.


The rest of the wood in the boat is marine plywood, primed, painted with white paint. However as all plywood/paint does it is starting to crack, not pealing yet where it has been exposed to weather. So this is not the best solution.

Hello and welcome elkhunter,

you are in the right place for the info you need...

First off, if the plywood in your boat is not properly prepped with fiberglass resin and CSM and 1708, it will not hold up for long in the marine environment...whether it is marine grade or not...

The other more costly but less labor intensive option is to have all the wood coated with epoxy...

Either method, when properly done has been known to last for several decades...

So, finally, your last concern..."cost is always a factor"...for the amount of materials you will need for a new doghouse, you can probably expect to spend around a hundred bucks and a few enjoyable hours to build one that will outlast you...

There are many guys around here who have built new ones, reinforced old ones and so on...most are made out of either a good grade of exterior ply or marine ply, coated with either epoxy or fiberglass.

Hang around for a while, read some of the threads, get familiar with the techniques of working with these materials, and before you now it you will have one heck of a nice, INEXPENSIVE, new doghouse...

Best of Luck,
GT1M