15ft Fishing boat facelift

[robbo246]

Hi Boshk yep thats how they operate. It will catch up to them eventually. Only so many boat owners now days. I have 6 friends who will never use them so they have done it to them selves

 

[robbo246]

Happy new year guys!! Hope it’s a good year for everyone and I finally get my project finished. Have started working on it again. In continuation from my last posts I decided against putting on the 65hp Suzuki 2 cylinder and sourced a 3-cylinder Dt65 with Trim and Tilt, it’s a much new auto lube motor. Problem 1… I built the new transom for the short shaft DT65 and the new one is a long shaft. I considered building the transom from scratch again but decided on lengthening it instead. Short shaft 40cm / long shaft 50cm so I had to go up by 10cm to accommodate the new motor. I first measured and cut out 3 pieces to the size I was going to lengthen the transom by. I laminated them again using 2-part epoxy to form a solid piece. I drilled 10mm holes 7 in the new extension piece and 7 into the transom. I then created 7 22cm “nails” out of steel round bar. I hammered in the “nails” into the pilot holes I created and its real strong. Now I just need reglass the new extension and mount this transom finally and I can start with the tubes for the drainage holes and other finishes. Will post more pics soon.

 

[robbo246]

The laminated extension block

 

[robbo246]

You can cleary see the lamination of the 3 pieces of marine ply. The pilot holes for the "nails" were drilled with a 10mm wood drill. I first used a 3mm, 6mm then up to the 10mm

 

[robbo246]

These are the pilot holes in the transom also done with a 3mm, 6mm then 10mm wood drill bit. To ensure alignment with the extender block I first drilled the extender block then put the block on the transom and but a marker through to ensure holes were 100% aligned

 

[robbo246]

These are the home made “nails” made from 10mm round steal bar. Each of the middle “nails” is 22cm and the two on the ends, left and right are 18cm as the splash well plugs were in the way to go longer.

 

[robbo246]

The tips of the home made "nails" were done on the grindstone. You can see here how the support will work before hitting them in.

 

[robbo246]

Before hitting in the “Nails” and securing the two transom pieces together I put a layer of fiber glass paste in-between and filled the transom pilot holes with resin to ensure a tight moisture seal as well as to reinforce a little. Once aligned I hit the outer two “Nails” in first then the middle. The pilot holes were lined up nicely and I got a very nice join. I used a very big hammer to hit the “nails” in alternating between them to ensure and even bond.I used a 8mm punch to hit the "nails" in a little further then leaving them flush. The little space will be filled with resin

 

[robbo246]

This is the semi final product. Nice strong long shaft length transom. I must now cover in glass again and fit it into the boat once and for all. Will post pics of the finished transom with new glass covering as well as how I attach into the boat to ensure a good bond with the back board.

 

[robbo246]

This is the model of the new 65hp Suzuki I will be fitting (not actual picture). Has auto T&T and auto lube and seams in fair condition. I hope it runs as well as the other 65hp 2 cylinder as I haven’t tried starting it yet. Will do so once transom can hold it.

 

[robbo246]

This weekend I finished glassing the Transom. Next weekend I will fit the motor temporarily and drill the new holes into the transom for the long shaft motor. As before I then cut a square where the new hole will be and fill it with fibre glass paste and re drill to avoid any water ever getting into the wood. I did it previously for the short shaft motor but now the holes will not align. I will fill the old holes with fiber glass once the transom is installe. I will use the old holes and new ones to squeeze the transom against the back board when I finally stick it in. Should be soon. The transom has bottlenecked my progress long enough!

 

[robbo246]

These are the old holes I made for the mounting of the short shaft DT65 that I now have to redo to accommodate the long shaft Outboard. You can see the resin filling to prevent water seeping into the transom wood in future. This transom when done will out last me!

 

[Racer-X]

robbo246 wrote:

These are the old holes I made for the mounting of the short shaft DT65 that I now have to redo to accommodate the long shaft Outboard. You can see the resin filling to prevent water seeping into the transom wood in future. This transom when done will out last me!

any news?

 

[robbo246]

robbo246 wrote:

any news?

 

[robbo246]

Hello Bud, Covid killed this project. But good news is the boat should be finished in the next 6 weeks, its at a boat builder. I dont have time to finish it myself. Will post pics when its done

 

[robbo246]

Boat is making progress. Tranom fitted, sondor in, deck cut and going in

 

[willem wikkel spies]

please show us that you still have drain plugs fitted!

 

[robbo246]

please show us that you still have drain plugs fitted!

There is 2 fitted, one at the bottom of the transom below deck, and one above deck above it

 

[robbo246]

Update, deck is in and glassed. Transom splash well installed and back splash rebuilt up.

 

[robbo246]

Quick update with pics, transom and top cap repaired and in place, boats sanded and 1st coat of primer on. Its staring to look like a boat again