Why such a low transom?

[deanoid]

Hello,Great site here! I own a 1983  170  and I am wondering why the transom is built so low. I see some other bigger AS boats in my marina and they seem to have very low transoms also. Is this so the boat does not sink? If it takes on water will the very low transom allow water to exit and keep the hull afloat? Thankyou for any info.Dean 8)

[JimCt]

Low transom is so that an outboard can be mounted low enough for the propeller anti-cavitation plate to be in line with the edge of the bottom of the transom.  No other reason that I know of.

[deanoid]

Thanyou Jim for your reply. It seems to me an extended shaft on the motor would be better than designing the boats with such a low transom. Iv'e taken more than a few waves over the back of the boat when caught off guard by boat wakes and following seas.Never had any real problems as the flapper type scuppers do a fine job of draing the water.Only one time in very heavy seas (6 ft. or so) I had to open the port hole to the bilge and pump the water out because I couldnt get enough speed to drain the water through the scuppers. Thanx again 8)

[JimCt]

I agree about the need for a longer long shaft motor option.  The low transom is a bad problem with a following sea.  In an engine-out situation with any kind of wind blowing, these boats will face the stern to the oncoming seas because of the sail area of the bow and lack of weight up there.  For that reason I carry a small sea anchor, also called a drogue, with me.  Basically this is nothing but a small parachutte which is tossed overboard at the end of a line.  It acts as a drag which, when secured to the bow cleat, will keep the boat headed bow-first into oncoming waves.  In a pinch a bucket can be used or anything else which will sink and create some drag in the water.  So far, I've never had to use mine but if the situation arises, it can save the day.

[Radioshop]

First off, remember the Aquasport psychosis, it's self bailing and, it's got lot's of foam so it can't fill with water, but if it ever does, that foam will keep her floating.  I've had water come over the stern of mine with two big guys beside the motor, but this was after the foam was pretty old and, pretty water bloated.  I've never worried about sinking from it.  When the boat had the 3 cylinder 135 on it, the problem was never that bad.  

I did hear from some old timers one of the concepts behind the low transom on the CCP's was it made boating a big fish easier.  I don't know how true that is, but it's plausible.

[JimCt]

In a good lumpy seaway as long as your motor is operable, you're right; you can power yourself out of most any trouble.  But if the motor quits it's doubtful 10 bilge pumps could save you with seas coming over the transom.  I also doubt there's enough bouncy in three foamed stringers (leave aside the possibility of them being waterlogged) to keep the hull from going down considering all the modern conveniences (weight) most of us have added.  Guess all I'm trying to say here is the low transom is something to keep in mind.

[Anonymous]

I have a 222 that I am putting together for some offshore fly sailfishing and inlet tarpon. The rotton transom was replaced entirely with composite and I left the height at 20 ". The low profile for me will be an asset and on the transom instead of a bracket keeps the 150 tucked in tight. I am going to build a motor well shroud like you see on the Sea Vees and big Sea Crafts to deal with any following sea issues.

The motor well will have seperate drains from the cockpit . I also moved the fuel forward under a extended fwd casting platform. It will cause some pounding but a pair of large trim tabs will help as well as a throttle back when the conditions stirr up. The liner where the old fuel tank was will hold the batteries for ship's service and the live well pumps. The engine control cables will run thru there as well.

Tight lines,
Capt.karl

[deanoid]

Thanx guys for the posts and good pointers. I love this boat! no matter how low the transom is. I must say I feel alot safer after reading your responses. Tight lines and good boating,Deano

[exexec]

I just had these problems. I opened one of the acess deck plates in the splashwell to get rid of some excess water. I forgot to replace it and the hull filled with water and I capsized. I recovered and am now trying to figureout a good solution. I added a 4 stroke kicker for trolling on a 20 EF. Makes the scupper below waterline and I have nothing in front of splashwell to keep water from entering cockpit. I am going to block that area off with starboard. I may add 2 new scuppers up higher on the transom ( using ball type scuppers). Then I need to figure out how to let water get from the cockpit to the splashwell. Any ideas or inputwould be much appreciated.

[RickK]

Ex - I would think if "I have nothing in front of splashwell to keep water from entering cockpit", you have more protection then I have in mine (which is NOTHING in front of the transom). In which case I think you have a place to put a bilge pump (or two) that could pump water up to the splashwell, to drain out.  May not be pretty but.....