New skiff project

[T Bone]

Not a kayak,but I thought you guys might be interested in my latest project.It is a 9' whaler skiff that I plan on being a "throw it out of the back of the truck" ride.Throw it out of the truck is not going to be literally possible as I estimate its weight as being 150-180#.I can get in in/out by sliding one end in/out first.I will make some sort of dolly for launching at NPH and Dana and LJ during the crowded summer.I have a brand new 2008 mercury 4 hp OB for it that I am getting an alternator kit for(5 amps)

The transom had some termite damage that had to be cut out about 5" off the top as seen in the pics.It was difficult to remove to say the least.I replaced the rotten/eaten pine with hard rock maple which I laid directly to the prepped fiberglass with polyurathane (Gorilla) glue-amazing stuff and about 12 clamps.I then filled some other voids with bondo and sanded it all smooth.I origionally planned on glassing over this repair but now I may just lay several coats of poly over it and then prime and paint hammertone.\

I had to build a jack plate for the transom in order to get the correct 15" height for the OB.It is not complete yet but Its base is mahogany,installed to the maple with gorilla glue and several countersunk screws filled with famowood filler and sanded smooth.This connection is stronger than if it was one piece of wood which I considered,but I only want the mahogany exposed anyways and its a little pricey.The whole transom in mahogany would be about $60 for the wood alone.I am applying several coats of poly here then I have 2 pieces of polished 1/4" aluminum that goes on either side and will be through bolted with SS screws through the entire transom.

It should be quite fun when I finally get it in the water.