Splashed my bracket!
 

These are the top 10 things I learned about brackets.

1) measure, measure and then measure again. Mine came out at the right hight but I could see how someone could make a MAJOR mistake, put the bracket either too high or low and regret it forever.

2) Don't believe everything you read. My cruise and top speed were identical. 10% performance increase is BS.

3) Flotation, more=better. My bracket offset the weight of the motors, but no more. My waterline is still the same if not 1/2 inch worse. I estimate the bracket at 175lbs and my transom enclosure at 150lbs. Motors at 430lbs.

4) You will need tabs. Although I havn't hooked mine up yet, I anticipate a little tab would help the holeshot. One 200lb friend in the stern made it a little tough getting it up.

5) Change your attitude----My boat now runs 1-2 degrees bowhigh(er). Again, nothing that a little tab wouldn't cure.

6) Forget self bailing. I will be filling in my scuppers and running flexible draintubes to the bilge. I may even add a 3rd batt wired to a 3rd separate bilgepump as an emergency backup.

7) Sit your ass down---- I took the boat off Tampa Bay for its initial shakedown last Saturday. After an hour or 2, I decided to "play" in some 6' breakers to see what she could do. I was amazed at the difference. The extra weight and length really added to the stability and ride quality. The stern stayed firmly planted while the flaired bow really plowed the froth away. I'll tell you, I probably pushed it a little two hard with waves curling at the bow but at least I know "Instigator" can handle the slop nicely.

8) I traded my 23 for a 25' 8" boat. The extra room in the stern is incredable. End of story.

9 & 10. I'll get back to you after the weekend.

Re: Splashed my bracket!
 

Briguy, which bracket did you go with? Single or twins?

Re: Splashed my bracket!
 

I apoligize in advance if you posted the following info other places but:
1. Which bracket did you use?
2. What motor(s) and weight?
3. At rest in seas, does the boat roll any more/less?
I am down to deciding between 2 brackets, I'm trying to collect as much info as possible.
Can you post some pictures showing how you closed the transom in?
Thanks

Re: Splashed my bracket!
 

Briguy,
I talked myself w/help not to put a brackett on My 20' MA.I also wanted the Room.Most everyone said 23' up was good.
Any way how bout' The ball scuppers instead of taking them out? I installed them on Mine,Hope they work. You can check them out when You come down for that Wiring Job !(REMEMBER,Beer Run)HaHa..
I always had a problem w/scuppers that pumped more waer in than out,so we'll SEA !
Scream'n Reels' [img]images/icons/cool.gif[/img]

Re: Splashed my bracket!
 

John

I used a seamount-mattson bracket. See

www.seamount-mattson.com/twinplat.htm

I probably could have had it fabricated to add more flotation but didn't know. Their work was highly skilled and done on time and a grand less than armstrong.

My motors weigh 416 each or 836 w/o props. I use aluminum.

In a sea, It doesnt roll any more or less, a stern or bow sea it is better because the boat is effectivly longer.

Even if you have a single, buy a dual bracket.

I will email you more pix this weekend.
Brian

Re: Splashed my bracket!
 

Brad,

Ball scuppers would collect barnicles.

Re: Splashed my bracket!
 

Congrads on that bracket. After you get the tabs, trust me, it is night and day. After I installed the tabs on mine, I kept hitting myself on the head for not doing it sooner. Oh, by the way, did ya see the pics that Brad has posted of his 20 MA? Notice the use of our names???? He has already got this whole thing planned out and didn't even tell us.....

Oh, one more thing about your bracket. When all of your friends are having a hard time getting out of the water after swimming, laugh as you get out with ease....Do any diving, it gets even better!!!

John

Re: Splashed my bracket!
 

I have ball scuppers on my Aquasport and don't think too much of them. They do get very goobered up and on my boat they ride on the water line and let more water in that the flapper style. If they constantly stay submerged they work a little better.

Re: Splashed my bracket!
 

Sounds like I may have to Block Mine off?
I had the ss ones never drained & always let more water in than out.Was told to use ball scuppers,put the rubber covers over the brass tubes in the well.I don't keep Her in the water so No Barnicles,Oh by the way How many Barnicles does it take to make a Good GUMBO?
Scream'n Reels' [img]images/icons/cool.gif[/img]

Re: Splashed my bracket!
 

Briguy,

<font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">If I had a 200 "friend" in my stern, I'd find it tough getting it up too.

Seriously, thanks for the advice.

Otto

Re: Splashed my bracket!
 

CAPT BRIAN,,,, LT DAN HERE. HOW DID YOU DETERMAN THE HIGHT LOCATION OF YOUR BRACKET. I'M ABOUT TO MOUNT AN ARMSTRONG WITH A 30" SET BACK. I'VE GOT A 30" SHAFT ON MY MERC 250. IF YOU CAN LET ME KNOW WHAT WORKED FOR YOU AND WHY,, IT'LL HELP EASE THE INTREPIDATION I SEEM TO HAVE ON MAKING SURE I ACE MY INSTALL. THANK'S IN ADVANCE,
LT

Re: Splashed my bracket!
 

Briguy-Way to go on that install. I can see that I'm not the only one taking notes here on the "how to's" that you don't hear all the time. You got any new photos of that 25' Seacraft in the water from the Tampa Bay sea trial? [img]images/icons/grin.gif[/img]

Re: Splashed my bracket!
 

No photo's from the sea trial but this wekend I will have some. As for measurements, Dan, I better leave that up to Armstrong to explain. My measurements were different due to 26" centers and running duals. If you want me to go ahead and explain it anyhow, let me know. One other problem I ran into is I think my motors are mounted too high. I need to keep some pretty serious negative trim to get on plain and while running or the props will blow out. Even at WOT, my motors are barely level and begin to blow out the props. They are mounted on the 4th hole up so I have ample room to lower them down. I will probably run it a few more hours and then drop the motors a hole or two. Any thoughts?

Re: Splashed my bracket!
 

BRIAN, SOUND'S LIKE YOUR BRACKET'S IN THE RIGHT LOCATION. DROP THE MOTOR'S 2 HOLE'S AND YOUR THERE.
THE WAY I SEE IT IS THIS,,, I WANT MY BRACKET AS LOW AS POSSABLE TO PROVIDE THE MAX FLOATATION,WITHOUT THE MOTOR BEING MOUNTED ON THE LAST HOLE UP.
I HAD ARMSTRONG BUILD MINE EXTRA DEEP WITH A V BOTTOM TO FOLLOW THE HULL BOTTOM, AND MADE IT EXTRA WIDE.
I'M HOPING TO GAIN 1" of floatation in the stern. i'm leaving the baitWELL IN THE FLOOR. THE COCKPIT WILL RUN ALL THE WAY TO THE TRANSOME. YOU CAN'T BELIEVE HOW MUCH MORE ROOM YOU HAVE. I'VE GOT THE CAP FINISHED AND GOT THE PIECE FOR THE FLOOR CUT TODAY. I'VE GOT THE SAME AMOUNT OF ROOM AS I HAD IN MY 28" INTREPID [img]images/icons/grin.gif[/img] .
GOOD LUCK WITH YOUR AJUSTMENT'S
LT DAN

Re: Splashed my bracket!
 

Pictures [img]images/icons/grin.gif[/img] !

Re: Splashed my bracket!
 

Brian,

Congrats on your install and being back on the water. Sounds like you had a fun seatrial! I think I scared the fellow with me when we first took it out in the ocean, but as we all know, these boat can handle alot. And converting from the low cut out to the closed transom just makes them that much better!

I love your list, and I'd like to emphasize that anyone just beginning this process needs to PLAN, PLAN, PLAN, and in that plan, maximize floatation!

And I have a similar scupper problem. I have 3" flapper style (and of course they don't completely seal to keep the water out),and they sit with the bottom of the scupper right at the waterline, so I have about 2" of water on the deck with 2 people standing in the stern while the boat is sitting still. So I've made rubber plugs that I can use from the inside. I can plug them up most of the time to keep my feet relatively dry, and I can easily pull them to drain the deck while the boat is underway. I still want to have self bailing available to drain water if I take a wave over the bow.

And did you have any issues with water "drowning" your motors at slower speed (not on plane)? I added a "wedge" to the bottom of the floatation chamber of my B-Bracket, and that got rid of most of it. I'm also hoping to get some added floatation if I fill the wedge with foam.

Again, Congrats!

Lloyd