In PA, if you want to register a home made trailer, you have to show receipts for the steel and materials you bought to build it. You have to prove that it was truly home made. Not your most trusting State in the U.S.
1 - Liner or paint will both work. Neither being better than the other.
2. A 1-1/2 in. transom is plenty strong. Most important is how it is sealed. I use fiberglass resin (2 coats) and be sure to plug any holes you drill with sealant. I use 3M 5100 (great stuff).
3. Deck strength will...
The rule I've always heard was never buy an outboard without doing a compression test. Plus, is seems like you can't get your answers with out a test run. If neither is possible and your gut says its a good deal, I say go for it! $2K isn't much in the scheme of money spent on enjoyment...
A friend had a simple small eye bolt (1/4") attached to the rail of his boat and he used a wire shower curtain hanger to connect his stringer to the boat.
Here are some good "build your own" ideas.....
https://forum.woodenboat.com/showthread.php?122748-Outboard-Motor-Stand-Designs
I built something similar to the first wooden one here using 2x6's Made sure everything was braced. Worked fine on my 50HP - approx. 225 lbs.
I'd vote for the Shimano. I was exclusively a spincaster for a long time and then changed entirely to baitcasters when we moved to Atlanta/South Carolina. Now I prefer them by a long shot.
Just be sure to get it set/adjusted correctly and I'd recommend you start by practicing with a...
That is so cool! Years ago I was in St. Thomas with friends and I passed up a chance to sail on a 12 meter racing sailboat. It's one of my great regrets. Great pictures!
Smart to have stripped it to the hull.
What material did you use for the transom?
And are the floorboards made of plywood and then covered in porch paint?
Don't know what you mean by how much "trust" on a trolling motor? I've never heard that expression.
Do you mean how long is it likely to last before it stops working?
All of the ones mentioned are good. All plastic is best. Be wary of the cheap seats. Most will have wooden backs and seat platforms that will rot. I go two from Overton's about 10 years ago (approx. $50 each) and they still look and work like new.
I used 5/8" on mine - same as what was there originally. Don't use marine ply. It's expensive and the chemicals in it may react with the aluminum. I used "off the shelf" plywood and coated it twice with fiberglass resin. Lot's of people report good results using marine varnish.
If...