Wood On Outside of the Back of the Boat

[bayonnebandit]

Hey all,
I just had a general question about the wood that sits on the outside of the back of the boat (between the engine and the hull). My boat (78 21ft Mariner) has it and I replaced it when I redid my transom, but I see that a lot of people don't have it on thier boats. Is it used for any reason in particular? Could I have left it out of my restoration? Just wondering. Thanks

 

[Huron Angler]

Re: Wood On Outside of the Back of the Boat

That piece basically reduces vibrations and rattles that the outboard might produce on the aluminum transom skin. I'm going to replace mine with some new plywood sealed in epoxy resin and painted.

Some folks have eliminated it but if it can quiet the motor a bit then I'm all for it. Other folks have successfully used plastic cutting board type material because it does not rot. I am considering this as well.

 

[bayonnebandit]

Re: Wood On Outside of the Back of the Boat

Hey Thanks for the quick reply. I thought that that was the reason it was out there. I have a 90 etec which runs pretty quietly so I might have gotten away with removing it. My fear is like you said that its going to rot. I wish I had know about the plastic idea. Ohh well I guess next time I replace the transom I will think about it

 

[GLG fishing]

Re: Wood On Outside of the Back of the Boat

On a buddies boat we replace it with a piece of quarter inch aluminum.
His old one was rotted and it ate away the transom skin.
Could have been damage from using pressure treated wood.
Used 3M 5200 and the stock bolts and then some and it looks great.
Just another option as was mentioned above.
GLG

 

[ezmobee]

Re: Wood On Outside of the Back of the Boat

I eliminated it from both my projects. In my opinion it's just something else to eventually rot or warp and end up letting water in. You can generally fill in a couple unused bolt holes also by eliminating it.