making a new transom

[zero gravity]

Hey guys I was wondering if you could help me out

I've got a 15'4" gheenoe and want to make it a ten footer

could I just cut the boat where I want and place a piece of plywood and glass it in as a new transom

I'm not looking at placing a whole lot of hp on it mayby just a eight hp 2strk about 60 pounds if it is doable

There is a thirteen ft model and it seems to be a cut down version of what I currently have

the reason I want to cut it down is to reduce the wieght "currently 130lbs" so I can car top it easily alone shes a 1987 and I basically got it for free

the hull shape is one of a flat back canoe with extended chimes on the sides for stability

thx in advance for any help

[Fanie]

Zero gravity eh ! You're lucky, I have lots of gravity problems...

My opinion -
Won't you reconsider ? To be honest, shortening most any boat could bugger the design up and the boat would not be what it's supposed to be or could be. Bigger is more stable bla bla bla... whatever advantages you can think of.

I would suggest you get a small trailer for it instead. The trailer would probably be less work to build than the transom. If you shop around I'm sure you could find someone with an old rub axle on a scrap trailer you could salvage. If you ever want to resell, it will up it's value.

[charmc]

Zero G,

Although you're probably thinking you'll only go slow and only in calm waters so it's OK to make a drastic modification, etc., I think I agree with Fanie on this. Either that or sell it and buy something smaller and lighter. Better and safer in the long run.

[zero gravity]

thx guys for the quick response
I could get a trailer and I hear you on going with what works but I have had a few of these same models in the past but have moved on to a larger skiff
but when I came across this one for free I could not pass it up as a project boat
I primarly want it for poling in no motor zones 8hp "optional could always go with a 6,or 5hp" is just to get there
another tid bit of info I picked up since starting the thread the original manufacture actually can offer this model boat in the desired size I want by modifing there 13ft mold but the price is a bit to much to justify @ this time
there have only been a few made but they are out there
guys the transom area is only a foot wide and fifthteen inches tall on this model
http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c342/ealvy/IMG_9883.jpg
here is a pic of it with a jack plate on it so you have an idea of what I'm looking at
http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c342/ealvy/IMG_9881.jpg
the 13 ft model is just a chopped down version I've owned both and have had them side by side everthing the same except one has two more feet and tapers back
I've have been on some of the smaller plywood made skiffs kits made for poling and trolling that are out there but I honestly feel for what I intend to use it for it for would be about the same wieght as a kit made one and in the end I would use way more materials building one from scratch
light,unique,able to track well and stable is what I'm shooting for
thx for any input