Replacing Jon Boat Transom

[Release2Grease]

I have a 14\36 jon boat in need of a new transom board.This will be my first time doing it and want to do it right.I'm not sure where to get marine grade wood. I was told not to use pressure treated because of the chemicals reacting
with the aluminum ? I will be using SS hardware.Your ideas are appreciated.

[NIMROD]

I went to the company that built my old boat and purchased a board already cut. They charged very little and it was lots cheaper than a 4 x 8 sheet and easier.

[g31448]

There is a website called tinboats.com that can show and tell diy.

[talltimber]

I think WTC has done that. He could probably give you some pointers.

[cricket george]

I had to do that several years ago. I had a piece of cypress that I overlayed the old transom on and then marked and cut. It will never rot now

[Matt Smith]

You can use treated lumber now. They changed the chemicals a couple years ago.

[beenfishin?]

I used a piece of 2x12 treated lumber instead of plywood. My buddy has that boat now, 15 years later, and it still has that same transom!

[plantdr]

This thread reminds us all who have wood in our transoms, to remove the engine mounting bolts and resilicone them every 5 years or so to prevent the issue.

[Crappie Reaper]

You can use treated lumber now. They changed the chemicals a couple years ago.

The Government mandated that the chemicals be changed in PT lumber. It seems they were not happy with Arsenic in the wood. Todays PT lumber has a very high Copper content. It's the copper that has an adverse reaction to aluminum. Do NOT use PT lumber on an aluminum boat.

As far as lumber goes, a simple BC plywood will work just fine. Use an all weather glue, such as titebond lll. Glue and screw two peices of plywood together. Draw out, and make your cut. Take any rough sandpaper to knock off the splinters from the cut.

To seal the plywood, any oil based exterior paint will work just fine. Two solid coats will do. Once it's dry, you can install it. During installation, coat any bolts and screws with silicone. If you do this, the water will not get in and effect it. It is wise to check the seal every couple of years.

[Matt Smith]

The Government mandated that the chemicals be changed in PT lumber. It seems they were not happy with Arsenic in the wood. Todays PT lumber has a very high Copper content. It's the copper that has an adverse reaction to aluminum. Do NOT use PT lumber on an aluminum boat.

As far as lumber goes, a simple BC plywood will work just fine. Use an all weather glue, such as titebond lll. Glue and screw two peices of plywood together. Draw out, and make your cut. Take any rough sandpaper to knock off the splinters from the cut.

To seal the plywood, any oil based exterior paint will work just fine. Two solid coats will do. Once it's dry, you can install it. During installation, coat any bolts and screws with silicone. If you do this, the water will not get in and effect it. It is wise to check the seal every couple of years.

That's true for ACQ which hasn't been readily available for a couple years now. "Today's" treated lumber is rated for contact with aluminum.