replacing transom on 23' Sceptre
 

I am replacing an original transom on a '78 Sceptre. I use the boat exclusively for offshore fishing, and usually fish about 40 nm offshore or more, so ride stability and safety are number one. I am considering glassing in the transom and having a motor bracket installed. I have a single 225 Optimax. Does anyone have any experience or thoughts with such a setup? Any feedback would be greatly appreciated. Thanks so much

Re: replacing transom on 23' Sceptre
 

anybody? someones gotta have a 23 with a bracket..

Re: replacing transom on 23' Sceptre
 

Search this site, there's a lot of info. I have a 23' CC w/closed transom and bracket and would not want to go back to open. It's a world of difference and you won't be disappointed. Check the Hermco glass bracket for twins (large flotation chamber).

Re: replacing transom on 23' Sceptre
 

Go to the bottom/last post, and you can see some pictures.
Let me know if you have any questions on anything you see.
http://www.classicseacraft.com/forum...=&fpart=1&vc=1

http://www.deep-blue-sea.org/seacraft/final1.jpg

Re: replacing transom on 23' Sceptre
 

thanks a lot guys, i checked out the old posts. i talked to a couple local guys with similar setups here in charleston that loved the closed transom. the only thing is that i talked to several florida boys that were extremely opposed to anything but an open transom and a single screw on the 23. one captain told me he would pay to revert the closed transom setup to an open before taking it in the ocean. confusing stuff, but thanks for the feedback guys

Re: replacing transom on 23' Sceptre
 

Sounds like they need bigger scuppers!

Re: replacing transom on 23' Sceptre
 

No Doubt to the bigger scuppers lol, I had my transom enclosed and hung a bracket on my 23' for the sole fact of safety, performance and room. Comparatively speaking enclosing the transom and hanging a bracket gives a 23' boat the room of a 25+ foot boat with an open or euro transom.

Re: replacing transom on 23' Sceptre
 

I can think of no circomstance that I would want an open transom boat again. I have had both. If I took a bad wave, I could pop my infloor box open, and it has a 1500 gph rule in it. Also, with a CC you might be more likely to bury the bow, and take in some water, with the cuddy's, not very likely.

Re: replacing transom on 23' Sceptre
 

thanks a lot, i was thinking along the same lines. its goin to be nice to be able to back down and also the extra room and keeping the water from coming over the transom.

John B. i love your boat. thats what i want mine to look like. im getting a hard top this winter and closing the transom. i got the port seat taken out and added a 6 foot long bench/fishbox. is that a livewell behind the helm? also got a fighting chair so the closed transom will help with the extra room. hopefully the angle with the line wont be too bad when the fish gets close.

anyways thanks for the feedback

Re: replacing transom on 23' Sceptre
 

There is a 44 gallon livewell in the transom. The infloor livewell was deleted, and it is a insulated fishbox. The boxes behind the helms are storage, although one could be used as a fishbox. The other has my oil tank and anchor. If I get a fish too big to fit in the fishbox, I have a insulated fishbag in the cabin that I can transfer ice from the fishbox into, and put the fish in there. Only have had to do that a couple times a year. That top tended to make her a little bow heavy, so be careful when you put the top on. The live well in the transom seems to have balanced here out.

Re: replacing transom on 23' Sceptre
 

thats cool...thats good advice with the top. I am a little worried because a have a 50 gallon auxillary fuel tank in the bow. rides great now, but some extra weight could be a problem

Re: replacing transom on 23' Sceptre
 

Hey bread......did you buy the Carla Dee (only local Sceptre I know with a 50Gal aux tank in the bow.. ;)...)

Where do you keep your boat?? I have a couple of tsunami projects moving slow....but I have access to wholesale glass/resin/parts etc. Let me know if I can help you out. I also have a plywood transom pattern I took from an I/O Sceptre.

Re: replacing transom on 23' Sceptre
 

haha yea bayou, i bought carla. its been great, we were able to fish the hell out of it this summer. but its time to fix up that old transom and replace the old merc. unfortunately my expertise is with fishing and not boat repairs past the everday things, so i was planning to take the boat up to bobby gelkiin this december (gotta save some cash first). i would love to possibly work with you and pay you to help fix the transom as im a little strapped for cash (still in college). you buddies with daniel?

Re: replacing transom on 23' Sceptre
 

Bobby G does some good work....if I could afford it my boat would be there. I don't know daniel personally, but have exchanged some messages on charlestonfishing.com. It the internet kind of acquaintance... :rolleyes: