aluminum bar in transom

[JKenyon1506]

I have a 2002 Voyager 248. I have it in for repower and we are removing bang plate and glassed over transom. I am told there is an aluminum bar within the transom. I have never heard of this. Can anyone provide information as to the need for the bar? I also heard this bar can expand and contract and cause cracking on top of transom.

 

[family affair]

Yes, there is an aluminum support there. It is intended to add addition strength and rigidity to the transom and provide a load path into the stringers.
I believe the aluminum is mostly encapsulated in the transom, but you can see the bracing going forward to the stringers.
I call BS on the expansion/contraction cracking issue. The thermal expansion coefficients of aluminum and glass reinforced polyester are almost identical.

 

[JKenyon1506]

Yes, there is an aluminum support there. It is intended to add addition strength and rigidity to the transom and provide a load path into the stringers.
I believe the aluminum is mostly encapsulated in the transom, but you can see the bracing going forward to the stringers.
I call BS on the expansion/contraction cracking issue. The thermal expansion coefficients of aluminum and glass reinforced polyester are almost identical.

It did not make sense to me either. Thanks for your input.

 

[Vlabruzzo]

When did they start using the aluminum, all models?

 

[Fishtales]

it is usually inside the transom and you can see it once you open up the access port. GW touts it in their brochure "super strong transom".