transom replacement

[PSC]

I know this has been gone over a million times here, but I'd like a little advice on how to replace the transom on my lowe 12ft semi-v. The real problem is that the wood slides behind part of the boat on each side that holds some of the floatation foam. taking those apart would involve cutting many rivets. I will post pictures and hope someone can tell me what I need to remove. I assume the main bracket comes off and the rivets in the lip – anything else???.

 

[smackdaddy53]

You dont have to drill out the rivets that hold the bracket to the aluminum seat, just the three that go into the wood on each side right? You should be able to take off the corner braces and top c channel cap and slide the transom wood out from the top and just replace with plywood of the same thickness and re rivet it all back. You could use stainless bolts but make sure to sleeve them with nylon to avoid dissimilar metal corrosion.

 

[PSC]

You dont have to drill out the rivets that hold the bracket to the aluminum seat, just the three that go into the wood on each side right? You should be able to take off the corner braces and top c channel cap and slide the transom wood out from the top and just replace with plywood of the same thickness and re rivet it all back. You could use stainless bolts but make sure to sleeve them with nylon to avoid dissimilar metal corrosion.

sounds great -- one last thing -- the corner braces are welded. are you saying i should cut the welds? I see that my picture does nto show that the braces are welded to the body of the boat at the corners

 

[smackdaddy53]

I cut mine with a thin metal cutting grinder disc, when you replace it either get it re welded or add an extra bolt or rivet in under it.

 

[Ictalurus]

I would go a different route. From the pics you posted and the description, I would not cut off the transom caps. i would drill out all rivets, your transom should slide out the bottom (may have to pull back a bit on the pods for some space). Replace all rivets with SS bolts coated in 3M 5200. May save you some $$$ not having to weld it back together.

 

[CountryRN]

Be sure that when you replace the wood that you do not use treated plywood. The chemicals in the treated wood will react badly with the aluminum and over time will cause holes to form in the aluminum.

 

[PSC]

I would go a different route. From the pics you posted and the description, I would not cut off the transom caps. i would drill out all rivets, your transom should slide out the bottom (may have to pull back a bit on the pods for some space). Replace all rivets with SS bolts coated in 3M 5200. May save you some $$$ not having to weld it back together.

thanks, What is the safest way to remove the rivets.. seems like there are two types: smaller ones that are used in the bracket between the pod and the transom and larger ones attaching the transom to the back of the boat.

 

[Ictalurus]

I would go a different route. From the pics you posted and the description, I would not cut off the transom caps. i would drill out all rivets, your transom should slide out the bottom (may have to pull back a bit on the pods for some space). Replace all rivets with SS bolts coated in 3M 5200. May save you some $$$ not having to weld it back together.

thanks, What is the safest way to remove the rivets.. seems like there are two types: smaller ones that are used in the bracket between the pod and the transom and larger ones attaching the transom to the back of the boat.

Try drilling them out, tap the center with a center punch and drill. If the wood is as rotten as some in the pics, you could also peel away the wood and cut the rivets with snips.

I'm not saying this is the best way to go, but i would try this before I cut a welded transom cap off. It's worked on three other boats I've replaced transoms on also.