About Boat Transoms

Despite the many different kinds of boat construction in use today, all boats share certain common characteristics. They all float by displacing water equal to the weight of the vessel itself. The portion of the boat that sits in the water is called the hull, while the front and the back are known as the bow and the stern, respectively. The transom is the flat, vertical portion of the hull that sits at the stern of the boat. You'll usually see the name of the boat and it's home port written on the transom, and this is also a common spot for mounting a motor.

History

While there is come evidence of boating activity as many as 50,000 years ago, the most concrete proof known today shows boating originated with the Egyptians around 3000 BC. Back then, boats were made of wood. People would simply bind logs together to build rafts, and of course, these primitive versions led to many lives being lost at sea. During the early part of the second millenium AD, ships began to take on the structure that we know today. By the nineteenth century, ships were commonly made of iron instead of wood, which protected them from cannon fire and other attacks. In the 1960s fiberglass was invented and quickly became of the most most popular boat building materials.

Features

Transoms can take on many different shapes and sizes. On sailboats and yachts, they are typically sloped forward or aft, while on dingies and other flat bottomed boats, they are generally vertical. The sloped versions are useful for mounting outboard motors, whereas on smaller boats that are paddled, there's no need for a sloped transom. Transoms can range from just a few feet high to dozens of feet high on tall ships.

Types

There are two main types of transoms. The first includes those made out of metal, including steel, iron or aluminum. On large freighters and passenger ships, steel or iron are common. Aluminum is used on small recreational models as well as on rowboats and small paddle boats. The second major type of transom is those made of fiberglass. They are often built out of wood then coated with fiberglass on each side. This seals in the wood and protects it from water and weather damage.

Considerations

One of the biggest things to consider when it comes to transoms is the type of motor used. Most boats today will come with manuals that recommend what model and size engine should be used. Boat owners who install larger versions than what is recommended, or who soup up the horsepower in the engine too high will find that the transom can crack from the extra loads and pressure.

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Warning

Transoms require more maintenance and care than any other part of the boat. Boat owners should inspect the transom regularly for damage, including improperly sealed bolts or splash well drains, poor caulking, or other signs of damage. Cracked transoms should be repaired immediately. It is never safe to take a boat out in the water when the transom is cracked, because water will get inside and quickly rot away the wood structure underneath, leaving you susceptible to sinking.