Chuck Huff transom too thick??? HELP!

SCOTT SALZER

SCOTT SALZER

Active member
I bought a MLB 2010 Chuck Huff a few weeks ago from a guy that never even had it in the water. Just yesterday, I was lucky enough to get an '08 Yamaha 15hp 2 stroke on Ebay with only 5 hours on it. I brought the motor home today and tried to mount it on the transom of my Chuck Huff and.......the transom is too thick! With the clamp screws all the way backed out I can't slide the motor down onto the transom. It seems like I need only about 1/16" or so to get it on.
Has anyone else had this issue with their Chuck Huff? If so, how did you remedy it? I am going to try to call MLB in the morning. Thanks-Scott
 
Scott, I had to trim mine about 1/4 inch to get the yamaha to clear. I marked a line across the top and taped everything around off in case I slipped, used a grinder to trim the bulk off and then sanded it down the rest by hand. After I fit the motor i reglassed with resin over the grinded area and then smoothed out and painted, you can also use a 2 part epoxy to go over it. It's not a big deal to fix.
 
Doesn't seem like a big deal to fix. I just don't think a brand new boat should have to be "fixed".
Anyhow, I never worked with fiberglass and resin or 2 part epoxy. Where can I get it? Is there anything I should know or are directions for mixing right on the packaging? It doesn't appear as if the board on the back of the transom has any type of glass or epoxy on it, just paint. Is it really necessary to go that route? I want it done right and am willing to do so if necessary. Thanks again-Scott
 
Scott,

Have you talked with Jamie about this? If so what is his response to the transom being too thick to accept the motor?


I too have a Chuck Huff made in the spring of 2010. I run a 2008 15 hp Yamaha two stroke on it. Mine has about a 1/4 inch to spare for the clamps. In fact I was able to add a 1/8 thick aluminum plate under the clamp washers so they don't dig into the fiberglass.

I would talk it over with Jamie Stone but I am guessing he will say it is OK to trim the upper flange where it protrudes past the back wall of the transom. It may be that you will want to go with a thinner piece of wood to cover the backside. The only reason for the wood piece is to serve as a pressure pad for the "teeth" of the motor mount to bite into and not dig into the fiberglass on that side. You should be able to replace this piece with something thinner that will perform the same function as a pressure pad for the teeth.
 
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Did you call MLB and ask them the best way to remedy the issue? I am sure you are not the 1st to run a Yamaha on a Chuck Huff made by them.
 
I have had to do this on 3 diffrent boats that I've owned in the past and the same to a couple of friends boats. Most of them switched from johnsons which has a wider mounting clamp than the yamaha. If you call mlb tomorrow James Stoney will explain it to you. From what I have heard the newest models have been made slightly thinner at the top to clear for the yamaha. Jamie
 
I can't get in touch with these MLB people. I've been calling all day and no answer. I left a message morning.
 
Yes, that is the number I've tried. I did end up getting a hold of someone later in the afternoon. He said my boat was probably built to accomodate a Johnson. I was told I can sand down the area of the transom to fit my motor, then re-paint. I'm just not sure if I should epoxy the area I sand down.
 
Scott,

If all you have to alter is the top flange, then painting it when done sanding, is all you need to do.

On my Huff, I replaced the original wood pad with a piece of 3/8 ply. Then sanded the flange down flush with the plywood. Removed the plywood and painted both the hull and the plywood. Reinstalled the plywood and set the motor (15 hp Yamaha). I then discovered I had room on the front side for a 1/8 thick by 3inch wide by 12inch long piece of aluminum under the clamps screws.

I'd take a picture but everything is still under a camo netting.
 
He said my boat was probably built to accomodate a Johnson.
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Why would somone build a boat for a specific brand motor? Smells like bull to me. Oh wait it is bull,i had a 2010 huff with a johnson on it and the top flange was to wide for it also,so they told me how to fix it along with how to fix the other problems i had with the boat. MLB has lots of soulutions for problems customers have with their boats,but why not just build the dam thing right in the first place??????????????


Brian
 
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Why would somone build a boat for a specific brand motor?
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Actually there are a lot of boats being built and sold today that are only available with a specific brand of motor. You would not expect to buy a Ford vehicle and be able to power it with a Honda motor, boats are going the same direction, get used to it.
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Really Dave??????? That dosent make any sense,When you buy a ford it comes with a ford motor thats why it wont work with a differant brand motor.When you buy a boat you have many options for a motor because all duck boat builders i know of dont make their own outboards.Or are you telling me that when you buy a huff it will come with a MLB outboard motor. I DONT THINK SO.




Brian
 
So let me get this straight - you bought a boat second hand from somebody (not the manufacturer) ; then you picked up a motor seperately on e-bay. Now the two don't match up and your pissed off at the manufacturer.

Doesn't sound like anyone tried to mislead you. Sounds like the manufacturer tried to help you solve a problem YOU had mixing & matching sight unseen.
 
Come on Bob & Dave...

I am a big fan of MLB's...

but it is BS and idiotic to not make a transom on a boat to not accomidate every brand of boat on the market. Like customers need a reason to cut a manufacturer out of the selection process.
 
Phil,

If MLB chooses to make their transom to a certain thickness then that is their choice. The Yamaha motor in question is in fact no longer made, neither is the motor I have. No it does not make sense for a manufacturer to continue to make his product to accomodate an obsolete motor, especially if it requires him to make it thinner than he has chosen to.
 
Now the two don't match up and your pissed off at the manufacturer.
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Who said I was pissed off? I'm ecstatic that I'm able to get so much help from a great bunch of guys on here as well as MLB over the phone.
Why are you such a hater MLBob?
 
Does every aluminum boat maker put different thickness transoms on their boats? No?... well that's because there are industry standards that MOST boat builders and motor manufacturers follow. Just saying.
 
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