Re: Potter Bracket
 

Looks like you have some highly skilled surgeons operating on that boat of yours. I've never seen anyone put in a horizontal brace like that before. That should give lots of extra support. Looking good Capt!!

strick

Re: Potter Bracket
 

Chuck,looks great you must be spanking it! Couple of questions, what's the cutout/indent for in the center of the new transom for?, and are you going have that classic SC arch?

Re: Potter Bracket
 

When I see Good Work like this done I think, “Boy I Wish I Was Doing Another Boat”. But then, I think Boy It Sure Is Fun Fishing Today instead of working on that Boat.
Believe it or not enjoy the project while you are doing it because when it is over a few years later you will say Boy I really enjoyed and am proud of what I did and I Miss working on a Boat.
FellowShip [img]/images/graemlins/wink.gif[/img]

Re: Potter Bracket
 

Strick

Mike @ Wildfire Marine in Stuart (772)286-1925 is the Glass Master for sure. As you know he has done several SeaCrafts including Mark's beautiful 20'. I am lucky to reside here in Stuart just a couple of miles away from his shop.

Finny

The notch is beaved to 13 degrees to align with the 13 degrees of the transom. This area will house a 35gal live bait well which also has the same degree on the back wall. This was the biggest that could be fitted within the transom. It will fit nice and snug so once filled with water there will be no cracking or shifting after placement.(approx 275 lbs of weight)

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v1...itwellmold.jpg

As you can see in the pictures the transom has been cut straight across. The way I fish and use the boat weighed heavly on my decision not to keep the classic arch. I think it was more of a personal decision and the look I was going for [img]/images/graemlins/shocked.gif[/img]

FELLOW-SHIP
Well I guess your right. But I figured the winter was better for dry dock than during the summer when I use the boat more. Since mine is down, when are you going to take me swording? I have a new HydroGlow light we can use and a 2-speed Tiagra 50 ready to go!!

I've owned this SeaCraft since 1985 and this is my 3rd time refurbishing different areas of the boat. It's "NEVER OVER" as you well know [img]/images/graemlins/wink.gif[/img]

Re: Potter Bracket
 

Here's some updated pictures as the transom / Potter Bracket redo continues. If anyone has any questions please ask [img]/images/graemlins/wink.gif[/img]

All old holes were filled, glassed and fared.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v1...ck/faring2.jpg

After all faring and sanding a couple of coats of high build primer was applied

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v1...ck/primed2.jpg

Next 4 coats of Signature Finish was applied. Sanded and Buffed. You will notice there is No bilge drain plug in the transom. Since the boat will be moored on a lift majority of the time, access to an outside drain plug was not an easy manuever with the bracket. A decision was made to go inside thru the keel with access via the transom door.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v1...finalcoat2.jpg

The trim tabs were installed with smaller sized actuators (complements of Tom McGow "Tabman" at Bennett Marine) making a better fit under the bracket's platform. Only a small cutout was required. Using a sling type hoist, the bracket is placed against the transom for proper measurement and alignment.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v1...etinstall1.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v1...etinstall5.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v1...etinstall4.jpg

A double bead of 5200 and SS bolts secures the bracket

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v1...etinstall7.jpg

After the transom was cut straight across, The new transom cap with integrated 36 gallon live well is fitted into place. The inside transom liner and insulted fish box in the floor are next on the agenda.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v1...ransomcap3.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v1...ransomcap2.jpg

Re: Potter Bracket
 

Look great Capt.. I have just one question. I was wondering why you cut the transom flat. In my mind the crown of the Sea Craft stern cap was all part of the lines of the boat. Just a question that's all, Looks like your doing a first class job.

Re: Potter Bracket
 

Don

It was a personnal decision. I like the look and the way I use my boat for fishing, diving etc. The flat design allows for easier access over the transom from the bracket (I'm Fat) [img]/images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img]

Re: Potter Bracket
 

Roger that.. Capt. I like the way your redoing your boat, bit by bit, but still keeping it so you can use it after you've completed the current project. So many open them up and spend years on the beach.

Re: Potter Bracket
 

Ha Chuck;

She is looking really sweet, I like what you have been doing especially with the 36 gal. live well and also with the bracket, I like that a lot. I kept my 225 on the transom and like it there but I have to always dig around on the deck to get into my live well and have stepped into it more than once.
FellowShip [img]/images/graemlins/wink.gif[/img]

Re: Potter Bracket
 

Thanks Fellow-Ship.
Yeah your are right on! I can't wait to use it. The old original one in the engine well was always a PITA [img]/images/graemlins/frown.gif[/img]
Mike at Wildfire Marine is the best. I could not do the glass work. So better to have a professional on your side [img]/images/graemlins/wink.gif[/img]

Re: Potter Bracket
 

Chuck,

Is that thing going to be finished by next week? Hurry up, Mike!

Re: Potter Bracket
 

Chuck I didn't quite understand what you mean here?

Are you going to have a hole stright down thru the bottom, close to the transom?

Re: Potter Bracket
 

That's not a bad idea, really. You get ALL the water out and can remove the plug from the inside. I like it!

Re: Potter Bracket
 

Warthog

Yes. I'll post a pic when it's done. A "T" type handle tall enough to reach and between the blige pumps.

Re: Potter Bracket
 

I'm not Chuck, but will jump in with my take on this:

If you leave the boat with a notch, the crowned transom looks great. If you fill in the transom and have a three part deal with the two sides leading up to the flat top, it looks like a backyard project boat. I have seen several completely "flat" transom jobs that have come out of Wildfire Marine and they are a vast aesthetic improvement over the "just-fill-the-notch" approach.

While some on this site approach these older boats as a "restoration", some prefer to improve on an already good idea and customize them to better suit their needs.

Re: Potter Bracket
 

Mark,

I think you misunderstood what Don was saying. He didn't say to put in a bastardized "three part deal". What he said was to recreate the "classic crown".
I agree that three part thing looks like crap.

Re: Potter Bracket
 

Oops, my misunderstanding, sorry about that [img]/images/graemlins/frown.gif[/img]

Re: Potter Bracket
 

Chuck,

How's Mike coming on this project?

Re: Potter Bracket
 

WHERES PAGE 4,WE WANT TO SEE MOR CAPT.

Re: Potter Bracket
 

My Transom enclose and Potter Bracket install is finally finished!!! Mike @ Wildfire Marine did an oustanding job [img]/images/graemlins/shocked.gif[/img] The ride has improved tremendously. There is little if no "Squatting" at the hole shot. The turning radius is tighter. No porposing at all with little use of the tabs. Overall the ride is better than I expected. I know some of you dislike brackets but I have owned this boat for 20 years and the pros out weigh the cons by far. Just the amount of room gained by losing that big splashwell and eliminating the useless bait tank makes the whole transformation well worth it......

I hope you have enjoyed the pictures of my SeaMark/Potter Bracket install from start to finish [img]/images/graemlins/smile.gif[/img]

capt_chuck

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v1...etInstall3.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v1...etInstall4.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v1...etInstall2.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v1...ack/ladder.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v1...shedTopCap.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v1...edTransom2.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v1...edTransom1.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v1...etInstall1.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v1...BuffedOut2.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v1...BuffedOut1.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v1...launchday4.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v1...launchday1.jpg


http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v1...ck/1978HDS.jpg

Re: Potter Bracket
 

Pretty boat Chuck [img]/images/graemlins/cool.gif[/img]

Re: Potter Bracket
 

Congrats Chuck and nice work Mike!

Like I always say, there's nothing like a big Johnson!

Re: Potter Bracket
 

First rate Chuck, well done! http://www.click-smilies.de/sammlung.../Fool/appl.gif

Re: Potter Bracket
 

Congrats Chuck!, looks great and cant wait
to troll for those Mahi again [img]/images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img]

Re: Potter Bracket
 

Congrats Chuck. "Gucci" all the way!

Re: Potter Bracket
 

Great job Chuck! We are having Don at HermCo do are boat. He is putting a bracket on and doing alot of other stuff to it. You can see it on this website under photos, it is called our 1979 23 SeaCraft ! Congrats and enjoy the boat! [img]/images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img]

Re: Potter Bracket
 

Captn that came out great! The flat top transom and hatch layout looks factory made. Definetly quality workmanship and all that extra room. Good luck and enjoy!- Paul [img]/images/graemlins/cool.gif[/img]

Re: Potter Bracket
 

YeeeeeHaaaaa [img]/images/graemlins/cool.gif[/img]

strick

Re: Potter Bracket
 

VERY NICE! Charles,enjoy!Lets go kill some snook!

Re: Potter Bracket
 

Ha Chuck;
There is no greater feeling than seeing your boat IN THE WATER for the first time after a major project. IT LOOKS FANTASTIC.
FellowShip [img]/images/graemlins/wink.gif[/img]

Re: Potter Bracket
 

very very nice capn chuck!!!!!! the baitwell is awesome- when mine finally gets the complete makeover one of these days i might borrow the idea- man with that addition of the bracket you no-longer have a 23, it looks like a 25!!!!LOL- great job-craig [img]/images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img]

Re: Potter Bracket
 

Craig,
Absolutely. I had a chance to see Chuck's boat last week, and when you stand in the back it definitely seems bigger. That bracket really opens up the cockpit.

Re: Potter Bracket
 

Hey Chuck! welcome to the Super 23 xl class of Classic Seascrafts! She looks great....is that a new engine?
Bill

Re: Potter Bracket
 

Ha Chuck
I must admit “For a Bracketed Boat” which as you know was not how I did mine. It looks really sweet. If and that is a big if I ever re did my boat for Twins I would not hesitate using a twin bracket to get it done.
FellowShip [img]/images/graemlins/wink.gif[/img]

Re: Potter Bracket
 

Chuck,

Looks great! We know it was expensive (good custom work always is), but I have one question.

What be the muntlies wit da late charge?

Re: Potter Bracket
 

Thanks for the Cudos guys! I will post performance numbers compared too before the enclose after I get my GPS re-hooked up and do some test runs with full fuel. I also need to calibrate the Navman fuel computer [img]/images/graemlins/cool.gif[/img]

BTW: Thanks Finny for the fore warning, I guess that's why the neighbors wives like to watch me work under the console [img]/images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img] [img]/images/graemlins/tongue.gif[/img]

Re: Potter Bracket
 

Nice looking boat chuck, congrats on getting her in the water as for:

sick sick man....

Re: Potter Bracket
 

I think I've just gone blind....

Re: Potter Bracket
 

Wow that Signature Finsih looks like and Alwgrip job. Does the Signature hold up and stay glossy for a few years? How easy is it to spray (as I understand Awlgrip is difficult and dangerous to spray).

Looks good, I really like that light green color.

Re: Potter Bracket
 

It Stays and Stays and Stays, The paint is designed to be "Rolled" on outside and then sanded with #1000 grit Wet/Dry and Buffed with "3M Pefect-It III" [img]/images/graemlins/shocked.gif[/img]