Transom Knees....

[Sonik]

That is an awesome boat. Don't touch the gel, it's perfect! I mounted a 12 gallon tank like this, no room under the splashwell as I have installed transom knees there.

I understand the need for additional support / structural rigidity in the transom to avoid additional stresses and possible failure due to larger motors and abuse, but at what point does it become necessity as opposed to a precautionary measure? I know the type of water being run and HOW its run can dictate the required rigging.....what i'm getting at here is I'm fortunate enough to have original gel on my boat and there is not a stress crack anywhere on the transom area or splashwell....and I'd like to keep it that way.

The plan, as some of you know that have talked to me, is to hang a 2.0 150 on it but I'd be lyin' if I wasn't a little concerned with the possible long-term effects on the transom core and gel. As the boat is rigged right now, it only has a 1" setback and I run 6gal saddle tanks. The battery is in the middle and if left that way, could support some kind of transom reinforcement.

SO, to that end, would it be a wise choice of me to do some type of knee for the sake of preserving the existing condition of the boat? thanks for any input...

Jeff

[rjdubiel]

i think you should, just to be safe. if the original builders thought there were going to be this much HP on these boats i be they would have put them in from the beginning.

[Maple Leaf]

Here is some pics. Hope it helps!!

[tunnels]

Knees and the like can and are difficult to glass and make a half decent job when they are in the boat , so cover them with glass before you put them in ,get rid of sharp corners and smooth the wood , seal all sidesplus the edges with resin first ,then glass one side and wrap the glass over and then do the other side so the edge gets a bouble up because thats where it needs to be , when it got hard , grind and sand the edges to be fitted into the hull and stick them in place . A good bog and cove the corner where its fitted to the hull , cut strips of glasss and as long as the glass goes out onto the hull 3 to 4 inches and also onto the knee the same amount its stronger and much easyer to make a clean job and possibly stronger to . You will spend less time in that fumey and cramped place and come out feeling better .

Thats a good selection of photos ! well done !!!

Just another point ,stringers and knees need to be glassed all over not just the sides , the glass should go up the side over the top and part way down the other side then do the same again doing the other side up and over and part way down , Its the top edge that gives the strength to any stringers as well as the ply , Over time just about all the glass will and does come off and away from the ply because its just relieing on the bond to the sides of the ply .