Work continues on my 16' runabout...

[knehdn]

Took the motor off. Wasn't too bad. I first checked specs on the weight - only 150lb., so it was an easy lift. Then had to grind off most of the 1/4-20 nuts and a couple bolt heads holding the rear corner plates and thru-transom fasteners. The transom doesn't look all that bad. The laminations still seem pretty tight. Couldn't push in an awl with ease. I think I'll just flip it inside out after I clean it up a bit. I might even give the whole thing a good coat of some wood preservative and some paint. Couldn't hurt I guess.
Now I do have a question about the ribs. Between using an air gun and a pressure washer, it took me forever to get all the debris out of them. I'm thinking I just may get a can of that spray foam insulation and give each rib a little squirt to cap off the open ends.
Has any one tried this?
Is this not a good idea?
Should I just leave them open and do a better job on the regular cleaning and maintenance than the last owner!
Here are a few photos, cuz we all luv photos.

 

[ezmobee]

Re: Work continues on my 16' runabout...

We have seen some corrosion on aluminum boats that we believe was caused or at least aided by pourable foam. I don't think I'd do it.

 

[knehdn]

Re: Work continues on my 16' runabout...

Got it flipped over. Would have been nice to have some help, but I didn't kill myself, so that's a good thing. I then noticed 1/4" holes in the forward section of each of the keels. I'm hoping they are factory done and not an afterthought like the deck and steering fiasco. Here's a couple of pics.
Comments are more than welcomed.
Oh yea... should I place another brace amidships, or is it OK as is?
Please and thank you.

 

[ezmobee]

Re: Work continues on my 16' runabout...

Those holes are standard. No worries. No need for another brace either.

 

[knehdn]

Re: Work continues on my 16' runabout...

Thank you... much appreciated.

 

[knehdn]

Re: Work continues on my 16' runabout...

There was a piece of 1/4" plywood on the outside of the transom. It looked kinda beat up, so I removed it at the same time I removed the transom plywood. Now because this somewhat sacrificial extra protection was beat up, I'm thinking of replacing it with a similar sized piece of UHMW. Is this a good idea, or should I stick with another piece of plywood? I was also thinking of fabbing a small piece of this UHMW (cuz I'll have extra) to fit between the transom and the motor clamp screws. Again, is this a good or bad idea? Would the motor clamping onto UHMW on both the inboard and outboard sides of the transom cause it to slip and slide? And that's why plywood is used?
Please and thank you.

 

[bananaboater]

Re: Work continues on my 16' runabout...

Some of us replace and others don't. In an older SC brochure there is a mention that the plywood helps to reduce the sound from the OB. I replaced mine. i figured that if SC put it there it must have a function otherwise they could save $ by not putting them on their boats. IMHO.

 

[knehdn]

Re: Work continues on my 16' runabout...

Cleaned and sanded transom insert...then a few coats of spar varnish. Notice a bit of a warp in the second photo. The side showing in first photo was facing aft. I'll switch and have it face forward. Should even things out in the long run. Just hope that all the holes were drilled symetrically so I won't need to drill new ones.