stainless bracket
 

I just bought a stainless marine bracket off ebay yesterday about $400.00... 18" set back and no flotation built in. Not what I really wanted
(I wanted a Hermco, I saw Finster's and it is really nice, but I can't afford that).
My question is has anybody added a flotation platform to these brackets themself. I can't imagine it being to hard... use flotation foam laid on top of the bracket and a couple of blocks on either side of the center bracket shaped to fit the hull. Epoxy and glass, sand and paint. I mean you guys are replacing stringers, transoms, decks, and who knows what else. And the results look as good as the original. The motor would still be attached to the factory bracket which is bolted to the hull and wouldn't fall off. I imagine you could 5200 the fiberglass to the hull
Just a crazy thought.

Pat

Re: stainless bracket
 

Pogden.. Why not weld some stainless steel sheets to it. Skin it over with stainless and then fill with two part foam. 16 guage stainless will work. Get it cut to fit and I'll weld it up for a 30 pack of Coors Light..! [img]images/icons/wink.gif[/img]

[ August 22, 2003, 10:53 AM: Message edited by: PipeDreamsMarine ]

Re: stainless bracket
 

Don,
That sounds like it might work and your in my neck of the woods. I'll bring two 30 packs and Finster and we'll have a hell of a day.
[img]images/icons/wink.gif[/img] Pat

Re: stainless bracket
 

Sounds like a plan.. works for me. And if we get bored I can take you guys for a ride on a Sea Craft that is in the water.. [img]images/icons/tongue.gif[/img] .. Or if you can't handle the water I have a 27' Chris Craft that is a planter in my back yard [img]images/icons/frown.gif[/img] Give me a call over the weekend. 609-628-WELD or 609-374-0967 (cell)

[ August 22, 2003, 02:50 PM: Message edited by: PipeDreamsMarine ]

Re: stainless bracket
 

Why don’t you guys just drink the beer fill the cans with foam and attach the beer cans to the transom. That would provide both extra flotation and present a true SEACRAFT owners image. Just a thought.
FellowShip [img]images/icons/grin.gif[/img] [img]images/icons/tongue.gif[/img] [img]images/icons/grin.gif[/img]

Re: stainless bracket
 

Now lets see 60 cans, each with a volume of 355ml...1 carry the 3 minus the 7 equals.... 21,300ml or 21.3liters of flotation.
The platform is 82" x 18" x 4"=
1539.00 cubic inches of flotation(volume of foam)....
I think we need more beer!!! [img]images/icons/wink.gif[/img]

Re: stainless bracket
 

Pogden,

What size boat do you have, and how large engine do you have? Is 18 inches enough setback to allow the motor to fully tilt out of the water?

Re: stainless bracket
 

Tangofniro,

I have a 20' MA with a 150 evinrude 20" now, at full tilt the foot is still in the water. These suckers sit low. I will be getting a 25" shaft.... really would like a Suzuki, Johnson, or evinbombadier(sp), probably a 140- 150 hp. I also need to redo my transom, so I will bring it up to 25". I don't know if the 18" set back will allow full tilt or not. Without the splash guard it should? don't you think?
I still have to receive the bracket and see just what I can do. But I know it can't be that hard.
I like a challenge that why I'm married with three boys. Hell, if life was easy, what fun would that be!!!
If anyone else has any ideas... pro or con... lets hear them.

Pat

Re: stainless bracket
 

Hey Pat..What year 150..?..I'm looking for a bigger motor..

Re: stainless bracket
 

Don, I don't think you would want this one, even though it seems to run great. It is a 1978, it was rebuilt 2 or 3 seasons ago. The tilt was done 2 seasons ago. I didn't run the boat last year or much this year...working all the time. I just bought this boat and motor last summer. The guy I bought it from was the second owner.

Looks like we'll be getting togeather at the Flying Cloud this holiday, I'm looking forward to it.

Pat

Re: stainless bracket
 

pogden,
Not to throw a wrench in your welding plans but are you sure the bracket is made of stainless steel? I've seen many brackets from Stainless Marine in recent years and they are all aluminum. I haven't seen an actual stainless steel bracket since the 80's when you would see a lot of them on Scarabs and Chris Craft Stingers . Also , stainless marine makes separate platforms that bolt to transom and cover the bracket,. I don't know if the make anything with flotation to straddle the center though.

Re: stainless bracket
 

That70sboat,

You're right I was at their web site and it says
aluminum not stainless steel.
Well, I guess I have some more beer to drink to complete Fellowships idea.

Pat

Re: stainless bracket
 

Not to worry Pat.. Aluminum is no problem either.. Hell its mo better....we can use them beer cans to skin her over..Drink up...

Re: stainless bracket
 

HA GUYS
We could start a company and make brackets out of those beer cans. Not only will we be doing a service by recycling we could make some extra $$$ We could call the brackets “BUD BRACKETS” what do you think.
Fellow-ship [img]images/icons/grin.gif[/img]

Re: stainless bracket
 

We have a 20 conversion from an I/O that has an Armstrong Bracket. It is stainless steel and foam filled. I don't think it it dates back to the 80's. Depending on which top is used it can handle up to 300 hp. As set up the rig didn't cool well with a 20 in shaft at top end.