Any inflatable boat designed to install an outboard motor cannot function without a rigid base in the aft. turretIt takes on a tremendous amount of propeller thrust and engine weight, unlike hard-hull boats, where the trayboard is part of the structure, in the case of the hull. PVC boats This is often a removable or insert element that requires special attention during operation.
It is the quality and proper installation of this unit that determines not only your speed on the water, but also safety. A weak transom can lead to engine tearing, loss of a screw or even sinking of a boat. In this article, we will discuss how to choose the right model than to replace regular plywood and how to avoid typical errors in installation.
Design features and types of transom
The inflatable boat tray board is not just a piece of plywood, it is a complex engineering element that must withstand dynamic loads, vibration and constant contact with water. Depending on the design of the boat, transoms are divided into several types, each of which has its own features of installation.
The most common option is prairieIt's fitted into pockets on the sides of the cylinders, which are simple and reliable, but require fine-tuning to keep the cylinders intact and to ensure rigid fixation, and the angle of tilt is controlled by the height of the boards or the length of the stringers.
There are also prairieThese are often used on small boats or where there are no internal pockets, but they are less resistant to the vibration of a powerful motor and require regular checks of the tension of the attachments.
- 🔹 Fold-in type: It is mounted inside the stern, relying on cylinders and bottom.
- 🔹 The hinged type: It is fastened outside, convenient for transportation, but less rigid.
- 🔹 transom plate: stationary part on hard-inflatable boats (RIB), acting as a keel.
The material for manufacture is most often moisture-resistant plywood of the brand FSFIt has a high bending strength and does not delaminate in short-term contact with water, but even high-quality plywood requires protection, which we will talk about later.
Materials: why is waterproof plywood important
Choosing a material for a transom is a matter of the durability of your boat, and using conventional construction plywood or chipboard is categorically unacceptable, because these materials will instantly absorb moisture, swell and lose strength. plywood (phenol formaldehyde) is able to withstand harsh conditions of operation on water.
The thickness of the transom board depends on the power of the motor that is planned to be used. For engines up to 5 hp, 12-15 mm thickness is enough, whereas for engines with a capacity of 15-20 hp and above, a board with a thickness of 20-25 mm or more will be required.
⚠️ Attention: Never use a conventional pine board or fiberboard to replace the transom. When loaded on the breakaway (when the motor pulls the boat), such materials can crack instantly, which will lead to the engine falling into the water.
For additional protection, plywood ends must be treated. Even moisture-resistant plywood has vulnerabilities in the cuts where the glue is washed out most quickly. Professionals recommend impregnating the ends with epoxy resin or special waterproofing compounds.
Recently, the transoms of composite They're lighter than wood, they don't rot or require maintenance, but they cost a lot more, and aluminum profiles are often used to make reinforced transom plates for heavy motors.
How to properly install and secure the transom
The correct installation of the transom is the guarantee that the boat will go smoothly, and the engine will not "nose pecking" or burrow into the wave. The installation process depends on the type of boat, but the general principles remain unchanged. The main rule is that the transom should stand strictly vertically or with a slight outward tilt (usually 3-5 degrees) if this is prescribed by the design.
When you install a transom, you need to make sure that it sits in your pockets to the end and is evenly distributed across the width. If the transom is skewed to one side, the thrust of the motor will take the boat away, which will require constant thrustering and increase fuel consumption.
For hinged transverses, it is critical to follow the sequence of tightening of the belts. First, the bottom part, then the top part, the tension must be uniform to avoid skewing the engine. A weak belt can cause a backlash that quickly breaks the mounting holes in the cylinder.
- 🔸 Check the integrity of the pockets for the insertion of the transom before installation.
- 🔸 Make sure that the stringers (longitudinal beams) fit tightly to the transom.
- 🔸 When tightening the nuts on the hinged transom, use washers of large diameter.
If you're using an inflatable floor boat (BBB), the transom is often part of the power kit. power-band c grooves of the transom board to create a rigid structure resembling a quill.
☑️ Checking before getting on the water
Protection and maintenance: extending the life of plywood
Even the best quality plywood of the FSF can eventually begin to delaminate if left untreated, and the water penetrates through microcracks in the varnish, through fasteners and exposed ends, and to avoid costly repairs, the transom board must be maintained regularly.
After every fishing or walk, it is advisable to wipe the transom dry. If the boat is stored assembled, ensure that air is accessed to the aft so that moisture can evaporate. Keeping a wet boat in a case is a sure way to get mold and rot on the tree in one season.
To protect the surface, use special varnishes for yachts or impregnation type Pinotex Apply them in 2-3 layers, paying special attention to the places where the engine is attached, once a season it is recommended to remove the engine and examine the condition of the wood under the rods.
⚠️ Attention: If you notice that the plywood around the fasteners has turned black or soft, immediately replace the transom.
A great protection solution is to paste the transom with an aluminum sheet or epoxy-based glass fiberglass, which creates a mechanically strong and waterproof layer that is almost impossible to damage if the engine is not installed neatly.
Lubricate the threaded connections of the motor rods with graphite lubricant or silicone - this will prevent the metal from boiling and facilitate the removal of the motor in the field.
Repair and Replacement: When You Need a New Board
Sooner or later, there comes a point when it becomes inappropriate to repair the old plywood, and if the layering goes deeper than 2-3 mm or the transom has lost its geometric shape (it has "drive"), you need a complete replacement, and it is quite possible to make a new transmolator yourself, if you follow the technology.
To make it, you'll need a sheet of FF plywood at least 18 mm thick (for engines up to 10 hp) or 25 mm (for high-power engines), a pattern taken from an old transo or made from the size of the stern of the boat, and it's important to reproduce the shape accurately so that the board sits tightly in the grooves.
The manufacturing process is as follows:
- Sawing the workpiece with an electric jigsaw with a sharp file on wood.
- Grinding the edges and removing the beams so as not to damage the cylinders.
- Improse the ends with epoxy resin in several layers.
- Painting or varnishing the entire surface.
If you think the standard transom seems too thin or weak, you can make a reinforced version, for this, two plywood boards are glued together with a gasket of fiberglass, or additional bars of amplifiers are attached to the main board at the places where the engine is attached.
Can we use marine plywood?
Marine plywood (bakelized) is perfect, but it's very expensive and heavy. For an amateur boat, there's enough epoxy-treated PSF to pay for a marine PVC plywood boat, it doesn't usually make sense unless you plan to put a 50+ hp engine on it.
Comparative table of specifications of transes
To make it easier for you to navigate the choice or manufacture of a transom, we have prepared a comparative table of basic parameters, which will help determine which option is suitable for your boat and engine.
| Type of transom | Recommended thickness | Max, engine power. | Weight (approximate) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Insert (standard) | 12-15 mm | up to 5 hp | 2-3 kg |
| Insert (enhanced) | 18-25 mm | 15 hp. | 5-7 kg |
| Stable | 15-20 mm | up to 9.9 hp | 4-6 kg |
| Trans plate (RIB) | 25-40 mm | 20+bhp | 10+kg |
As you can see from the table, as the engine power increases, the thickness and strength of the transom increases exponentially, and you don't need to skimp on this element when you try to save on the weight of the boat.
In conclusion, the trunk is the heart of your inflatable boat, and its condition directly affects handling and safety, and regular inspection, proper installation and timely replacement of worn-out elements will allow you to enjoy fishing and water trips for many years to come.
Main conclusion: For motors with a capacity of more than 10 hp it is critically important to use a transom with a thickness of at least 20-25 mm of plywood of the FSF, otherwise there is a high risk of destruction of the structure at full speed.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Can you use a regular moisture-resistant glue to glue layers of transom?
The best way to glue plywood layers is to use epoxy to make a reinforced transom, which creates a water-resistant compound that is stronger than the wood itself, and conventional PVA or carpentry glue may not be able to withstand constant stress and contact with water.
How do you know if the squirrel can no longer be repaired?
If you feel soft when you press your hand against the plywood surface (especially in the area of the motor attachments), you hear a crunch or you see that the veneer is peeling off with layers, the transom must be replaced, and the change in geometry is also a sign of critical wear: if the board is arched, it cannot be restored.
Do I need to remove the transom while storing the boat in winter?
If the boat is kept deflated, the transom should be removed so that it does not create stress points on the cylinders and bottom, and storing the transmolant separately in a dry room ensures that it does not dry with the PVC cloth.
What is the best way to paint a new homemade transom?
The best option is a 3 to 4 layer yacht lacquer with intermediate grinding, the alternative is special rubber paints for boats or epoxy enamel, the main thing is that the coating is elastic and does not trawl when bending, otherwise the water will quickly reach the tree.