13 1/2 sounds about right Ed...I usually use these two things to find angles...put on the bottom of the keel to measure up the transom. I would trust your digital analyzer.

Strick

Thanks Chuck. I got a good nights sleep and went back over to the boat today. I used a larger angle finder and confirmed the old bracket was 13.5 degrees. The actually transom varies but I guess that is to be expected for a hull that is 33 years old and will be going on its third bracket and third set of motors.

I haven't seen one yet that didn't vary somewhat. I like to use a long straightedge to try and average out the variances. Looks like what you have to measure with dose that as well. I have found that most transoms tend to bow outwards and when you mount the bracket its normally tight in the middle with slight gaps towards the outer edges...


My 27' has a crown transom with a recess for I/O's so it will be fun figuring out how to do a bracket on it when the time comes. Probably going to build the pocket out but try to do a custom bracket to match the curve of the original skin.

27’ Tournament repower
 

As many of you will recall, last winter I sold my twin Merc 250 EFIs and the Stainless Marine bracket and began preparing the transom for a repower. I honestly measured the transom for a new Armstrong bracket no less than 10 times. I know I drove my friends and the folks at Armstrong a bit crazy, but I know my boat better than anyone and realized I had one shot to get the bracket perfect. The original design presented had a tub that was too wide at 52 inches (bolts landed on foam filled stringers) The second variation had a tub that was 44 inches wide and would fit, but I was concerned about not enough displacement for heavier four strokes. The third and final variation was a tub that was 48 inches wide but also incorporated a 6 inch bolt flange inside (normal was 3 or 4 inch) that allowed us to move the tub bolts inside of the stringers and avoid any interference.

Next I plugged all holes with resin soaked hardwood dowels. Then ground down about 30 spots and applied several layers of 1708. Then I ground and faired until the cows came home. Next I rolled on four coats of gel coat. Then I sanded, sanded and wet sanded some more followed by several hours of buffing. The gel coat came out okay but definitely not up to my standards. Future project.

At this point, I was getting pressed for time (crazy summer in the marine industry) so I asked one of my dealers if they could take on the rest of the bracket installation and mount the twin 250 ist Honda’s.They jumped on it and had it back to me in just under a few weeks which was great!!

As you can see below the bracket fit perfectly. The greater displacement of the Armstrong wide body over the original Stainless Marine lifted the stern about two inches and the bow about an inch even with a 200lb total motor weight difference.

Attached are some pictures. I will post a video link too.

Top speed right now is 51mph at 6400 rpms with an occasional bounce off rev limiter using Honda/Solas 15.5x17 props. We need to try a pair of a Honda/Solas 15.25x18 props to get the rpms down a bit and pick up a couple of mph. I may also try my old Merc Mirage Plus 19 props.

The first thing I noticed was a big difference in noise followed by lack of a serious cloud of two stroke smoke! I did not take exact notes but I had about a 50 mile ride home and burned about 30 gallons of fuel so figure around 1.66 miles per gallon.

Ed
Nice work! That boat is sitting perfect at rest. Can you get an under bracket picture from your tender showing the self bails? How much fuel was on board when the picture was taken? I want to see inside & console pictures so I can endorse the Gucci award.

She came out really nice Ed. Good work!

The console is the original and I hate it (too short for me and access sucks) At some point when I replace it we can revisit Gucci but I appreciate the consideration.

As far as the scuppers are concerned, with the Mercs and the Stainless bracket, they were about 4 inches underwater but the deck always self bailed and would never flood even with two people aft. I guess the deck is much higher than the scuppers? With the Armstrong and Honda’s, scuppers are about two inches higher. I will get some pics.

I had a 150 gallons on board, minimal gear (life raft etc) and four people during sea trial but it was just me on the 50 mile ride home.

Thanks Scott!

Making an executive decision to grant a "pre" Gucci award Ed !!
Will have to wait for the official award from Capt Chuck..;)
Great job, The 27 makes me sweat when I look at them...:D

Nice work Ed! perfect balance so she should jump right up..with those motors you can go anywhere!

strick