Reinforcing my Porta-Bote Transom for $50!

[@JoeAnshien]

Nicely done video with good explanations.

[@PflugervillainJerry]

Nice mod! Just an observation though...if you use a countersink bit, the bolt heads on the back side of the plate would be completely flush. You have plenty of plate thickness to countersink them, and there wouldn't be any chance of them chafing a hole in the plate behind the new assembly.

[@OffTheHookFishing]

I'll admit, I didn't have a countersink bit and didn't want to spend $10 on one 😅

[@ronbaker1280]

Great video!

[@johnsmith-xd9ej]

Nice kindly post where you order the aluminum pieces...thanks!

[@OffTheHookFishing]

hey! sorry for the late reply, I got my aluminum at onlinemetals.com. If you sign up for their text alerts they occasionally send out 15-30% off coupons.

[@lineshooter5w]

A Dremel tool with cutting and sanding discs are tools I use on some of my projects. Q-uestion: How many years of use can I get before experiencing problems with seals on the folding and unfolding of the PORTA- Boat especially on the floor? Great video and problem solving that comes along with use.👍

[@rmagistr]

So, even with the cracking of the top layer of plastic, the motor will still be secured, since the transome already has aluminum in between the plastics?

[@OffTheHookFishing]

It should be, but the newer transom are different. My motor didn't sit fully on the aluminum, so I had to make the add on.

[@tai9499]

Thanks for this vid! My porta bote has the flip out piece like yours and I have some separation on the bottom seams at the center of the exterior side of the transom area. Wondering if you've experienced that or know whether this extra support would help alleviate pressure to that area. Thanks in advance!

[@OffTheHookFishing]

Im not sure if that would help your problem too much. It sounds like your problem is with the plastic shield that keeps the water out? I have seen others fix it with a flex seal or flex tape. Check out the "porta bote fanclub" and "porta bote mods" pages on FB - there are tons of posts on the most common issues and fixes

[@Roadstah]

So, did it make any noticeable difference in the stiffness? I see on the newer transoms they have a piece that pushes up against the seat which is supposed to support the transom and reduce flex, thereby increasing responsiveness from motor. I have a Gen IV like yours and been contemplating combining your mod with a support to the seat. Hmmm...

[@OffTheHookFishing]

Hey, sorry I never got back to your comment. Securing the motor is now very stable, but I would say overall stiffness is relatively unchanged. You can try adding in a piece of aluminum support connected to the rear seat and the place I added the eye bolt. I was thinking of adding that mod if I get a more powerful motor.

[@gonzobongo6669]

Can I ask what year your porta-bote was manufactured? I think the latest version of the Porta-Bote has remedied this issue. Porta-bote has reconfigured the transom 3 different times-2018 was the most recent redesign of the transom.

[@OffTheHookFishing]

Yes, the new transom folds into the boat instead of coming out. Im not sure if it is stronger than before, but mine is from 2009 - the gen 4 model.

[@dennisswroptr4382]

So would this reinforced transom allow me to put on a 11hp honda motor?

[@OffTheHookFishing]

An 11hp (if they even make that size, haha) is probably way too heavy for the porta bote. Anything north of 60lbs is going to drop the stern very low in the water.

[@dennisswroptr4382]

@OffTheHookFishing sorry, I don't no why I said that. More like 9.9 hp?

[@OffTheHookFishing]

@@dennisswroptr4382 hahaha. I've seen it on KZbin, but I personally wouldn't do more than a 6hp. Although, a 2 stroke 9.9 might be lighter?

[@swiftmediaonline]

you wouldn't have the sizes available would you?

[@OffTheHookFishing]

12.25"x7.625" is what i ordered - but there is typically a +/- 1/8 inch tolerance on custom cut pieces. It's best to measure the space and just subtract 1/8inch.