Got my bracket on!!!!
 

This has been a long time coming [img]images/icons/shocked.gif[/img] but the weather finally has been over 75 degrees so I got my transom painted 2 weeks ago. I couldn't get comortable with the roll and tip so I primed it and had a friend shoot it wih red awlgrip. (For 80 bucks!! [img]images/icons/cool.gif[/img] ) I mounted my dual flotation bracket on Saturday with the help of Bigshot(Nick) and another friend who has been begging to fish. The process wasn't all that bad. Total time from start to finish was only 4 hours. I took pictures of the entire project and will offer
Trader another "tutorial" similar to his moulding table how too. [img]images/icons/rolleyes.gif[/img]
It's really nice to now have a boat that is
25' 8". When I finish the floor, the motors will be mounted and then Ican fire her up. [img]images/icons/grin.gif[/img] [img]images/icons/grin.gif[/img]

Re: Got my bracket on!!!!
 

Sounds good Briguy. Which bracket did you go with?

Re: Got my bracket on!!!!
 

The bracket is 7' wide and by 30 inches setback and the motors are on 27 inch centers. It has a flotation chamber that is 42 inches wide. It is manufactured in Tampa by Mattson. You can see it here:

http://www.seamount-mattson.com/twinplat.htm

The cost was about $2000.00 and it came powder coated white with a bracket for a detatchable swim platter. I really checked them out and their work is flawless. The owner, Colon has been in the business forever and runs a clean shop. I went with them mainly because you really pay for the Armstrong name, my quote was $3100.00 for the same application. I will let you all know if the wives tale of 10% better speed and economy holds true but I'm not holding my breath for a 48mph top end with only 115's. [img]images/icons/rolleyes.gif[/img]

Re: Got my bracket on!!!!
 

Nice, I think I've desided to go with the Hermco. Don was telling me it has 800 lbs of boyancy at the water line. Pricie though.

Re: Got my bracket on!!!!
 

Finster, If you can afford it, go for it. I don't think you can go wrong with any of the major manufacturers as far as performance or resale. I am getting excited as this project is getting a little long in the tooth. Bought a new oval 38 gallon baitwell and did a little more sanding today. The boat looks BADD ASS with the new bracket!!!

Re: Got my bracket on!!!!
 

Well, mines going a little slower. I have to redue the whole transom. Cut away a test area today and it wasn't too good.

Re: Got my bracket on!!!!
 

Briguy,
Guess I can't see that boat on Saturday. Post pictures when you can, I see a bracket in my future also. As long as my transom holds up I hope to re-power and do a bracket at the same time $$$.

Re: Got my bracket on!!!!
 

Hi Briguy,
Looking forward to seeing the pics of you new setup. As for me, having the transom built up about 5" to accomodate the twin 115s Suzukis on my 23'. Transom was okay so no major work. Took out the livewell and redoing side hatch area for batteries. Also taking some pics, hope to post later.

Re: Got my bracket on!!!!
 

Serenety,

When you have your motors mounted on that 30" transom, make sure you go up 2 bolt holes. My motors were mounted on the lowest bolt hole with the 30" transom and I moved them up 2. They probably could have gone up 1 more. They like to run high. I used the aluminum 14x23"props.

Re: Got my bracket on!!!!
 

Briguy,

A little more info please...what was the distance between the two motor's centerline? What was the vertical lenght from the hull bottom to the cutout on the engine's centerline? Is 30" from the lowest point of the hull? I'm going with a 25" long shaft. Sorry I'm getting off the subject of brackets.

Re: Got my bracket on!!!!
 

Is the bracket on a CC boat or Sceptre. Please post some photos, very interested in seeing the results. Also let us know if it performs/ rides better.
I only have 225 FICHT on my 23' Sceptre and it still squatts down in the back with several fisherman and cooler full of fish. takes on water over the transom which is a pet peeve.

Re: Got my bracket on!!!!
 

Lars - you have a Scepter with a single taking water over the transom? Is that 4 big guys on the transom?

Re: Got my bracket on!!!!
 

John,
We take water over the transom too with a few guys in the back. Granted my cutout is lowered 5" in the center to accomodate a 20" shaft, but even with a full 25" transom, water will come over into the splashwell. And if Lars has a splashwell like mine - not very deep or wide - then water will easily make its way into the cockpit.

Re: Got my bracket on!!!!
 

My Sceptre OB version has a high splash well with a hinged teak fold down door in the middle. When drifting in a following sea offshore it will scoop water over the transom into the trough, which is in front of the large live well/storage compartment. It has 3x 3/4" suppers that drain the trough but usually not fast enough. In the past I had problems with the live well/storage (in front of the engine)filling up but solved that with a gasket and automatic bildge pump in the well itself. When that well would fill up with 40 gal the boat really squat. Bad design- now I just use it for bumper storage.
Overall I am not worried about water in the bildge or cockpit but hate to see those waves creep up the cowling on rough days.
Because of weight and being cramped I will usually not fish more than 3 out of my boat. Our crew is 180-225lb. range so not too heavy. Maybe I just bring too much gear offshore.

Re: Got my bracket on!!!!
 

Serenity,

The centers of the motors were, I think, 28 inches. Yes, the 30 inches was from the center of the bottom of the boat streight up to the lip of the transom. Then my motors sat another 1 1/4 inches above the transom on the 3rd hole. My new bracket sits on 27 inch centers so I will probably have to play with the height. God willing I mounted the bracket at the right height. My motors are going on this week and hopefully won't run into any problems. Then I install the floor and paint the inside. I need this done becuse I am running a fishing tournamenet for the blind on April 19th. Yes, I said blind.

Re: Got my bracket on!!!!
 

Thanks for the info Briguy. Hope you meet your timetable for your "worthy cause" and more importantly achieve your initial project goals after adding brackets, etc. Looking forward to your upcoming posts.