engin pod advice please

[zod550]

I am thinking of adding a 24 inch extension to the transom of my zodiac 5.5 meter. I am hoping this will give the boat the riding characteristics of a 2 ft longer boat as well as lift the stern a bit out of the water. I will build it to follow the lines of the hull and it should provide quite a bit of extra flotation as well as extra room for an aux engin. Does anyone had any experience with this and what I can expect in terms of performance. really like any ideals anyone may have!!! thanks

[Pete7]

Hmm, I am sure there are lots of us here thinking thats brave!
You haven't given many details of the boat and engine which might be useful, however if you do go ahead please photo the work and post in the pics gallery, we would all be facinated.

However before you start would it not be cheaper and easier to px the hull for a larger Zodiac ?

I am not a boat builder but how about this as a way of starting the discussion. Remove the rear part of the tubes from the hull. Turn the hull over and make a mould of the last 24 inches and transom. Turn the hull back the right way. Cut out transom. Line up mould to hull very carefully. Glass in new section and copy any internal supports. Glass in deck. Extend tubes. Refit engine, add water and test drive. Write up article. Pete

[dimitris]

Why don't you try to stretch it a bit.
Also hang it from a tall tree with weight attached. It might get longer.

Seriously now and with my limited knowledge I would not try something similar with my boat unless I was a naval architect

[Alan]

I'm no naval architect but I would think that this wouldn't do much for you unless you lengthened the tubes as well. But if you are going to that trouble then whynot buy a bigger boat anyway

[zod550]

I crew on a 25 ft alum rib that has a similar extension. The extension is made out of alum. Locally here there are a lot of boats with engin pods that seem to work well. Anyways i guess it is not that popular over there but i will give it a try and let you know. the reason for this is it will cost me approx $10,000 cdn to go for a similat boat 2 ft longer and it will cost about $1000 to build a extention.