Pontoon Boat & Deck Boat Forum

I have a Bass Buggy that I rebuilt the transom on a few months ago. The more I look at it the less I like the idea of my outboard being mounted on plywood. I value my motor alot more than my boat. Anyone else come up with a replacement transom that's affordable and easy to make?

Lay up a couple layers of woven roving fiberglass over the plywood and it will last decades. Just be sure to seal all of the mounting holes.

I know wood should last for years but something in the back of my mind just makes me nervous. Someone has to make some kind of metal insert that I can bolt on.

mgarvie wrote:I know wood should last for years but something in the back of my mind just makes me nervous. Someone has to make some kind of metal insert that I can bolt on.

Maybe consider removing your motor and plywood transom plate. Source out a piece aluminum plate of the appropriate size and thickness then trace the existing transom to the plate, cut and drill and reinstall the new assembly to the boat. Three sixteenths of quarter inch should be stout enough to provide you piece of mind.

Marine or pressurized plywood has been used for years on all kinds of makes and models. Just replace it every 25 years or so and you should be okay.

Metal transoms transmit a lot of vibration back to the boat and you can't isolate the DC ground from the hull, setting up the potential for electrolysis.

GregF wrote:Metal transoms transmit a lot of vibration back to the boat and you can't isolate the DC ground from the hull, setting up the potential for electrolysis.

So can water, waddle out and take a leak on a strand of electric fence.. It guaranteed to be a real enlightening experience...

I've got a double 3/4" marine ply transom on mine and also 3" aluminum channel as a backing plate for the top bolts that I've welded to sides of the transom. I did that because I plan to upgrade to a 115hp and a 115hp engine is pushing it for double ply strength. I've seen older double ply transoms broke with 90hp engines, once the wood started to deteriorate. New double I trust for 90hp, triple is good for 150 If your not using any metal in the plate. And a previous poster is right, ever since adding the 3" channel to mine I defiantly feel more vibes from the engine.

I saw these at a local store, could be a secondary safety that will work for you.
Outboard Motor Safety Cable

Prevents loss of small outboard engines. Clear vinyl-coated, heavy-duty steel cable. Has a loop on one end, and includes a snap hook on the other end.

Amazon has them for about $17.50
Attwood 11664-3 Outboard Marine Motor Cable

-ron

If the motor goes in the water running it is pretty much trashed anyway. Salt water makes that worse.
I know guys who have saved them but they are never quite right after it.

is "Engine Loss" covered by insurance? Or is that a policy by policy type question?

I'd hate to see what a 90 hp outboard could do hanging on a cable until it quit. It wouldn't be a pretty sight.

I'd rather the insurance company pay for another motor.

I used to go to boat races, when the circuit came through Nashville. I've seen tunnel hull boats go airborne and sink. They towed the hull to shore, put it on a trailer, popped out 6 plugs and blew the water out of the engine. Shoot it with either, start the engine and get ready to go for the next heat race.

2 stroke motors submerged in fresh water can easily be "reconditioned" if gotten out quickly. It's mostly blowing the water out and cleaning/rebuilding the starter.

I would think 4 strokes wouldn't be so simple, however.

I was looking at some honeycomb aluminum material online but never considered the extra vibration if using metal. I just keep thinking about the force being applied to it from a 60hp and pounding from waves, even all the bouncing from riding on the trailer. Maybe some honeycomb material with some type of thick rubber gasket around it? Maybe there could be a marketable product here?

most if not all of the newer toons use aluminum

ronb wrote:I saw these at a local store, could be a secondary safety that will work for you.
Outboard Motor Safety Cable

Prevents loss of small outboard engines. Clear vinyl-coated, heavy-duty steel cable. Has a loop on one end, and includes a snap hook on the other end.

Amazon has them for about $17.50
Attwood 11664-3 Outboard Marine Motor Cable

-ron

That chit was funny!!!! But my pontoon has a all metal transom so I dont know what to suggest. I dont like wood but hey it has been around for a long time.