How to cut out engine well hole?

[stonedpirate]

Thanks

I am just using the outboard as a back up incase the inboard dies.

I will use the diesel most of the time. The outboard will be stored inside the boat and only get put on the well if i happen to need it in an emergency.

Ideally, i would like the correct hole size cut for the out board then make a water proof cover for the hole when not in use.

By the way, how do you access the inside of the transom if i wanted to install a transom mount plate thing?

Cheers

[Troppo]

To access the inside of the transom, you crawl down the starboard quarter berth. Not easy but that's the way some on this forum have done it.

I was thinking of moving the outboard in my well to a frame on the transom but I don't reckon I can do it from inside like some on the forum. I have been looking at the inside of the transom in the cockpit and wondering about cutting a section out to do the wood/glass work then put the section back on and fair the gaps. Don't know. Maybe I'll leave the outboard in the well.

Troppo

[stonedpirate]

Cool, thanks Troppo

Was curious on how to get back there now its obvious

[storm petrel]

Looks like a filler piece that has been glassed in place (did the boat have an inboard fitted?). I have a similar looking insert but it lifts out, a bit like a fibreglass bucket shaped to fit in the hole- to maintain the hull shape below.

After a second look, I agree with Phillip I think someone has just glassed up the hole (they probably lost the insert).

[Ianb]

Form-It Fibreglass supplied a bucket shaped plug for the Bluebird 22. No doubt they offered something similar for the Top Hat. The plug had a recess in the forward end so that the cockpit remained self draining.

[storm petrel]

Yep, that is what my Mk2 has.

[Phillip]

I reckon that well has never been cut out. You can just see how they have joined the two hulls together.

Remember stonedpirate mentioned that he had an inboard motor, maybe the first owner did only use it as an ice bucket!

Hull thickness there should be 10 to 15mm thick plus the heavily reinforced join between the two hulls.

I also don't think the board for attaching the outboard has been securely fixed or is even at the right height, ie never had an outboard fitted!

[stonedpirate]

looks like i have some work to do

would cutting into that piece of fibreglass in the well sink the boat?

[Ianb]

As long as you leave the sides all that will happen is the water level will rise in the well. However, since you have an inboard, I would leave it and add a bracket on the stern.

[stonedpirate]

Ok, thanks for the advice.

Now that i know how to access the transom, i might just put a bracket on.

Would i just use some ply as a backing board to give the transom the extra strength?

Cheers