When it comes to maintaining your jon boat, one of the most important things to check is the transom brace. This vital component keeps the boat’s transom stable and secure, and helps to ensure your boat is safe and seaworthy. If your transom brace is damaged or corroded, it’s important to replace it as soon as possible. Replacing a jon boat transom brace is a relatively straightforward process, and in this blog post, we’ll be providing a step-by-step guide on how to get the job done.
most likely you got here because you transom board needs to be replaced or your transom brace is cracked or broke, maybe all three. whatever the situation we;ll cover it in tis articels. I’ve researched the best options for you to repair or replace your jon boat transom brace
Ways to replace or repair a jon boat transom brace
There are lots of options when repairing or replacing a jon boat transom brace or bracket. You can repair the cracked bracket yourself with JB Weld or an aluminum-filled epoxy. You can also have a professional welder do the repair. The professional welder is going to do the best job but a tube of JB weld is cheap.
You can replace the transom brace with an L bracket, angle iron or marine step brackets. The problem most people have with transom braces is they are next to impossible to find a stock replacement for. Many of the jon boats with transom problems are so old you can’t find parts. Many boaters have to have a custom brace made.
Materials and Tools You’ll Need:
- New transom board
- Plywood (marine-grade is recommended)
- Measuring tape
- Saw (circular saw or jigsaw)
- Screwdriver or drill
- Screws (stainless steel or galvanized)
- Epoxy resin or marine adhesive
- Clamps
- Sandpaper
- Safety equipment (gloves, safety glasses, dust mask)
Jon boat transom repair Step-by-Step
- Preparation:
- Ensure the boat is properly supported on a stable surface, ideally in a garage or workshop.
- Drain any water from the boat if necessary.
- Remove any accessories, seats, or hardware attached to the transom.
- Removing the Old Transom:
- Carefully remove any screws or bolts securing the old transom to the boat’s framework.
- If the transom is heavily damaged, you might need to cut it away from the boat using a saw.
- Measuring and Cutting:
- Measure the dimensions of the old transom carefully. Make sure to measure the thickness as well.
- Transfer these measurements to the new plywood sheet. Ensure you use marine-grade plywood for durability.
- Cut the new plywood to match the dimensions using a circular saw or jigsaw. Take your time and ensure accurate cuts.
- Preparing the Boat:
- Remove any remaining adhesive, sealant, or debris from the transom mounting area on the boat.
- Sand the area around the transom to provide a clean surface for the new transom board to adhere to.
- Applying Adhesive:
- Apply marine-grade epoxy resin or adhesive to the back of the new transom board.
- Press the transom board firmly against the boat’s framework, aligning it properly.
- Securing the Transom:
- Use clamps to hold the transom board in place securely while the adhesive cures. Follow the adhesive manufacturer’s recommendations for curing time.
- Attaching the Transom:
- Once the adhesive has cured, drill pilot holes through the transom and into the boat’s framework.
- Secure the transom board using stainless steel or galvanized screws. Ensure they are evenly spaced and driven flush with the surface.
- Finishing Touches:
- Sand any rough edges or surfaces to ensure a smooth finish.
- Apply a marine-grade sealant around the edges of the transom board to prevent water intrusion and promote longevity.
- Reinstalling Hardware:
- Reattach any seats, accessories, or hardware that were removed before the transom replacement.
- Final Checks:
- Inspect the transom board and surrounding area to ensure a secure and proper installation.
- Check for any gaps, loose screws, or imperfections.
- Testing:
- Before taking the boat out on the water, perform a thorough test of the transom’s stability. Gently rock the boat and inspect for any movement.
Transom board material
There are a wide array of transom boar materials that will work. The difference is price and durability. Some transom board materials include:
- Coosa board – expensive but durable and waterproof
- Aluminum replacement transom board – extremely strong but the most expensive option
- Marine plywood- not super cheap but less than a full replacement transom, be mindful of drilling holes and exposing untreated surfaces that could let water in
- Exterior plywood – the cheapest option but won’t have the longevity of other materials, could be prone to rot
Transom board thickness
Generally, you need a 1-1.5 ” thick transom board. Some older jon boats had thinner boards, but if you can fit a thicker board in, it will provide more stability and strength.
How to replace a jon boat transom board
Replacing a jon boat transom board is a fairly straightforward process, but there are some tips to help the project go faster.
First, you need to remove the rotted or damaged transom board and brace. In some cases, this will involve removing the corner brackets to allow for space to install a new transom board. The old transom board can be cut out or maybe crumble out from rot.
Next, remove the transom brace. The brace may be riveted in the bottom of the boat so the rivets will need to be drilled out. You likely won’t have room to remove and replace the transom board without removing the transom brace beforehand.
Tip* Before installing the new transom board is a good time to check welds and corners for cracks
Decide what transom board material to use. You can use the old transom board as a template to cut out the shape on the new board. If the old transom was too rotted to use as a template, you can always cut cardboard to mock up and test fit before cutting into the replacement transom board.
Once your board is cut to size, mount it to the jon boat transom with stainless steel bolts and washers, to prevent galvanic corrosion between the stainless and aluminum, use nylon spacers as a barrier.
After the new transom board is mounted it’s time to reattach the transom brace. You can reattach the brace by riveting or bolting it back in place.
Tip* seal up all the holes in the transom and board with marine grade sealant to prevent water leaking or seeping into the boat or wood
When everything is sealed up, use a good coat or two of paint. Paint will make the repair look nice and provide another layer of protection.
Ways to take the stress off your jon boat transom
A cracked or broken transom brace could be due to too much stress from the outboard motor on the transom. The stress is increased if the outboard is allowed to bounce around while trailering.
A transom saver, transom wedge, or another outboard support device would help take the stress off the transom. Transom saver devices help by diverting the force of the outboard during trailering to the actual trailer and not to the transom. The support devices also minimize the outboard bouncing when hitting potholes or other road obstacles.
A transom saver attaches to the outboard lower unit and then has an arm that extends and attaches to the rear trailer axle to distribute the stress.
A transom wedge is used in a single ram hydraulic tilt system and allows the outboard motor to rest on the wedge when tilted down to take pressure off the transom.
Conclusion:
We hope these tips and how to’s will help you repair or replace your jon boat transom brace and board if need be. Lets us know how it goes.