Transom well cover project

[FeelingMinnesota]

I know that someone has done this in the past but I haven't been able to find the thread. I would like to cover the well at the back of the boat and try to keep the trips and slips to a minimum. I have decided that I am going to use a piece of HDPE and have it cut with a waterjet. I plan to use a piano hinge, some angle metal, a gas strut and concealed slam latches.
I am not sure about the thickness of material I should use for the cover. What thickness is used for the floor storage? I would assume that is also HDPE without a frame except for the perimeter.
Any help is appreciated.

 

[Michiman]

I know that someone has done this in the past but I haven't been able to find the thread. I would like to cover the well at the back of the boat and try to keep the trips and slips to a minimum. I have decided that I am going to use a piece of HDPE and have it cut with a waterjet. I plan to use a piano hinge, some angle metal, a gas strut and concealed slam latches.
I am not sure about the thickness of material I should use for the cover. What thickness is used for the floor storage? I would assume that is also HDPE without a frame except for the perimeter.
Any help is appreciated.

FM, can't help you with your question (but my guess would be a 1/2) but keep us posted on what you do and how it turns out as I imagine a number of us would be interested in doing something similar.

 

[Remediation]

Most motor go into the well when raised. Somebody on the forum did a great job of covering the well. When you look at the pictures you can see that his motor pivots differently that a Mer 150 does.

 

[LakeOzarkGal]

I fell into the transom well on our 2021 LX two weeks ago while taking a photo of my kids and family who were on the pad behind our boat. It's a miracle I don't have a compound fracture. Luckily there was a nurse nearby who boarded and applied pressure to the baseball sized hematoma that immediately popped up on my foot. These photos are what it looks like today... after more than two weeks.

Our last Bennington SBX had the ski bar "cage" around the motor that kind of protected the area and there was adequate room to walk back there. But we upgraded to a Mercury 250 and the dealer said that bar doesn't fit around anything above a 225.

Would love to find a solution to this problem to avoid this severe pain for everyone else.

 

[BigKahuna]

Ouch! Hope you heal quick! This is our 1st outboard after having an I/O for 12 yrs. We're pretty cognizant of the well area but our ski tow prevents anybody from actually falling in.

 

[Denise Haley]

FM, can't help you with your question (but my guess would be a 1/2) but keep us posted on what you do and how it turns out as I imagine a number of us would be interested in doing something similar.

My wife found this a couple years ago. Some guy made this, only for himself. Boy, could he sell many of these! www.boatoutfitters.com sells the material. If someone can build these, please let me know. Not complicated. Good luck.

Steve Haley

 

[Remediation]

Its great but most motors don't tilt like that which is why we have motor wells.

 

[ky phil]

I think is dangerous as hell. I helped mine with some stainless fittings and pipe. It’s too easy to walk right into that pit