Hey everyone, I'm new here but have been lurking around and love the info shared here.

I want to rebuild the transom on my 1542. I don't want to use wood, I would like to use all aluminum and I have the equipment and capabilities to do all the fabrication and welding. My question is can someone point me in the direction or provide photos and examples of what I should be doing? I've seen a lot about using 2 inch aluminum tubing but was wondering about things like wall thickness, design, etc.

If anyone can provide some info and or pictures it would be greatly appreciated!

I can't help with photos right now, but can give you a few notes based off my hulls and what I've seen.

Whatever you do - make sure your fit and weld to the existing hull is sound and of good quality. You don't want to be the next meme or picture floating around the interwebs with your motor and transom laying on the ground or the bottom of a lake.


Most custom hulls transom are built with 3/16th plate / sheet. It wouldn't hurt to build your transom up with 3/16, but it may be over kill in your situation. 1/8th is probably sufficient. My transom is braced vertically with channel. I think it's 1x3.

Make sure your connections to the side of the boat are solid. Add any horizontal and angled bracing you need, and possibly attach it back to the floor.

Some photos of your hull would probably help people more qualified than me give you some much better advice.

I went through this a couple years ago when i did mine. still have some pics from some of the research i did.

Nothing mud motor specific, but I google searched for examples. That guy above this comment provided some good photos too.

another

Thanks guys that's awesome!
With a 3/16th channel will I have issues of the bolts for the motor mount squeezing/compressing the tube/channel? I'm running a 22hp engine on a Backwater SWOMP lite kit and am using their bolt on versa mount.

You shouldn't that's what I used and its holding up fine. I had a 16hp LT and a 23 SD on mine. Don't skimp on your corner braces either.

Corner bracing meaning the plates on top that tie in the transom to the sides?

Yep

If the boat is older, or you notice electrolysis/corrosion on the skin of the old transom (after you rip the wood out) spray some vinegar/water solution to kill it and keep it from continuing.

I'm sure you know this if you'll be doing the welding, but just wanted to put that out there in case somebody figures out how to use the search feature and looks up this thread.