Jersey Girl

Sept. 8, 2017: This will be the new outer face of the transom. The center cut-out is to accommodate the outboard motor, which will be either a 20 or 25 H.P. long-shaft. I'm open to brand recommendations from anyone with experience. I'm also beginning to explore the possibility of an electric outboard motor, powered by batteries to be charged conventionally at dockside or by roof-mounted solar panels. It looks like this will be a much more expensive installation, and the weight of the batteries may be a problem. But a decision is a long way off, and it's just possible that by the time I am ready the price will come down and technology will deliver lighter batteries. But it's nice to think about.

Sept. 18, 2017 -- I've decided to experiment with sound-deadening materials in the area of the outboard motor, although noise will not be a problem if I decide to go with electric power. A high school friend from (yikes!) 60 years ago, Rich Venza, suggested using acoustic ceiling tiles. Here are two thicknesses of tiles, for a total of 1-1/2 inches of sound attenuation. I have not yet covered them up with plywood, but when I knock on the other side, all I hear is a muffled thud instead of a sharply ringing rap. I have confidence that this will work quite well. Thanks, Rich!