Ringo Steele
Well-known member
Hi folks!
My first post here, although I have been lurking around for a few weeks.
I have a 1971 Quachita 16 foot v-hull that I inherited from one of my uncles when he passed several years ago. It had been sitting upside down in his back yard near the barn for probably 15-20 years. My dad and I stripped the outside when I got it and repainted it at that time, but never got around to the inside. I completed repainting it inside after stripping it to bare aluminum in most places. It wasn't until I had completed the repainting that I found the transom was rotted almost to sawdust, since it was sandwiched between sheets of aluminum. I had to cut out the interior sheet to remove the wood remnants. I fabricated a new transom plate from 3/4" exterior plywood and encased it in two good coats of West Marine 105 epoxy to seal it up. I had predrilled all the holes slightly larger than the bolts and coated the holes with epoxy too. I finally got it installed with new stainless bolts, washers, and nuts. I also added an aluminum plate on the inside that goes about 2/3 the width and about 8 inches up and down to provide protection to the wood from the motor mount screws for my little 5HP and the transom mount MinnKota 65. It's looking good on the inside now so as soon as the hurricane (Irene) passes, maybe I can get to work repainting the outside, which is flaking pretty badly. Then it will be time for the trailer again! I didn't think to take any pictures of the "before" of the inside before painting, but will update this post when I get the outside done so you can see the old girl in her new splendor! :mrgreen:
Anyway, just wanted to say a big thanks for all the good info on this site (Kept me from using treated plywood, and informed me about using epoxy to seal it up.).
My first post here, although I have been lurking around for a few weeks.
I have a 1971 Quachita 16 foot v-hull that I inherited from one of my uncles when he passed several years ago. It had been sitting upside down in his back yard near the barn for probably 15-20 years. My dad and I stripped the outside when I got it and repainted it at that time, but never got around to the inside. I completed repainting it inside after stripping it to bare aluminum in most places. It wasn't until I had completed the repainting that I found the transom was rotted almost to sawdust, since it was sandwiched between sheets of aluminum. I had to cut out the interior sheet to remove the wood remnants. I fabricated a new transom plate from 3/4" exterior plywood and encased it in two good coats of West Marine 105 epoxy to seal it up. I had predrilled all the holes slightly larger than the bolts and coated the holes with epoxy too. I finally got it installed with new stainless bolts, washers, and nuts. I also added an aluminum plate on the inside that goes about 2/3 the width and about 8 inches up and down to provide protection to the wood from the motor mount screws for my little 5HP and the transom mount MinnKota 65. It's looking good on the inside now so as soon as the hurricane (Irene) passes, maybe I can get to work repainting the outside, which is flaking pretty badly. Then it will be time for the trailer again! I didn't think to take any pictures of the "before" of the inside before painting, but will update this post when I get the outside done so you can see the old girl in her new splendor! :mrgreen:
Anyway, just wanted to say a big thanks for all the good info on this site (Kept me from using treated plywood, and informed me about using epoxy to seal it up.).