Re: bracket on a 1978 23'
 

Well.... I thought about putting twin 175 suzuki on her but I ran across this pair of motors and couldn't refuse the price or the conditon. The motors were practically brand new. I had twin 150's and loved them. Very quick, easy handling, and good on fuel regardless whay some may say. Boat runs like a dream even in FOLLOWING seas.

I wanted to go with the twin 175 suzuki's (485lbs without oil) but the 250's (493lbs) and the 175's were only a few pounds different.
So.... here they are.

This boat rides higher in the water than most that have brackets including most SF23's with a single motor. The motors are about 120lbs heavier than the 150's. I was going to add a bracket to my project but I've never seen a bracket that didn't hold water.

She is quick.

Re: bracket on a 1978 23'
 

On the twin engine subject! if you are running a single engine Seatow is the answer its $129 per year. Just make sure you cary the proper first aid and safety equip.

Re: bracket on a 1978 23'
 

Hey there. I'm getting close to being done with my project. I have a 1973 23' Tsunami that had twin I/O's. I've pulled the engines and closed up the transom. I'm hanging a bracket and a single Suzuki 300. I'm wondering what you have as far as a livewell set up. I was going to try and build one in the transom, but I wasn't sure if I would be able to get the bracket installed after the livewell was in place. Right now I'm planning on just dropping a round livewell on the floor. You got any suggestions?
Thanks,
Britt

Re: bracket on a 1978 23'
 

I am in the process of building an in-transom live well. When I get closer, I will take a few pictures. I converted the infloor live well to a fish box, made it bigger, and insulated it, and put a bigger lid on it.

Re: bracket on a 1978 23'
 

Here's a couple pictures of my transom area as of two weeks ago. I have glassed in the cap where I used to have some drop in buckets. I figured I could cut holes in the top and glass the buckets to the bottom after everything was finished, but I still would be stuck with my livewell sitting on my deck. I'd really prefer to have the thing inside that transom area, but I don't quite know how I build that now and still leave the guys hanging the bracket and motor plenty of room to do their work.:D

Suggestions?

Transom

Floor
Looking Forward
web page

Re: bracket on a 1978 23'
 

looks good i think i am on the same path

Re: bracket on a 1978 23'
 

I have a "loose" bait well that sits on the floor against the transom, I'll get a pic tomorrow.

Re: bracket on a 1978 23'
 

Did you have an I/O or just closing up the transom?

Re: bracket on a 1978 23'
 

If you wouldn't mind sending a picture I would appreciate it. I wish I would have found this website four months ago when I got started on this project. I've asked around and guessed at a lot of this stuff, but from the other guys' pictures it looks like I've gotten pretty close.

I saw that you have a 250 Yamaha on yours, what's your best cruise? You said that you top out in the mid forties. I hoped that I would be able to cruise at 30 and I wasn't sure if the 250 would do that for me so I opted for the 300. I was going with a single and I haven't ever heard of anyone complaning of too much HP.

You recommended the Hermco bracket. I hadn't heard of them. I was planning on going with Stainless Marine, but I'm afraid that I'm not going to be able to get one with the swim platform as I have a rounded, bumped out transom
http://i223.photobucket.com/albums/d...g?t=1195996201
Stainless said they could do it, but if it's going to be a custom fit that my bracket would be $4500 versus $1950. I want the platform, but I dont know that it's worth another 2 grand. Thoughts?

Re: bracket on a 1978 23'
 

The pictures look like a center console, not a Tsunami, did you convert a Tsunami to a CC?

If the i/o cap is the same as the inboards, I don't think you would have enough room inside it to put a livewell. I built a cap on the back of mine that has 17" inside so I could put the livewell in there. I will shoot some pictures this week, and post them.

A 250 moves at 23' along just fine, a 300 is even better, and might get better gas milage since it doesn't have to work as hard, especially at cruise. My boat is very heavy, and with a Merc 250, I cruise at 27 and wot at about 40. The top probably takes at least 2-3mph off, especially wot.

As for the bracket, a "bumpout" transom is a tough fit. If your looking at twins, I don't think there is much of an option other than the hermco. You need to add a bunch of floatation for that to work right. For a single engine, a DnD, Armstrong, or stainless should work fine. Just make sure it has the max floatation available, since the 300 is a heavy motor.