Strick, Don:Im going to build my own bracket, help
 

I've been inspired by Strick and Don's (Hermco) as well as others work and have decided to build my own motor bracket with a combination of marine grade plywood, foam, fiberglass, and stainless. I have confidence in my woodworking and fiberglassing skills, but need help on dimensions. Any help would be greatly appreciated. The boat is a 24' Searay, and I have two 225hp Mercury's to mount.

Re: Strick, Don:Im going to build my own bracket, help
 

You should not use any plywood or stainless in your bracket. :D

Re: Strick, Don:Im going to build my own bracket, help
 

no, plywood or stainless...why, strength, weight,
any advice is appreciated

Re: Strick, Don:Im going to build my own bracket, help
 

http://www.wellcraftv20.com/gallery/...5393_Small.jpg
http://www.wellcraftv20.com/gallery/...5401_Small.jpg
http://www.wellcraftv20.com/gallery/...010003_001.jpg
http://www.wellcraftv20.com/gallery/...5402_Small.jpg

Re: Strick, Don:Im going to build my own bracket, help
 

The inside of the bracket is always damp. There is no ventilation at all. Plywood will eventually aborb water, so do not rely on it's structural properties (and cheap out with a few layers of glass) to support twin v6 outboards. I think this is what hermco is saying. Not to sway your decision, but it's a LOT of work to build one of these. You could easily get a part-time job at walmart and have $2500 for hermco's bracket . . . . well before you complete this project. Not to mention that you'll have a superior product in the end. Only do it b/c you want the satisfaction of building one yourself . . . it's a great learning experience, but you'll be upside down even if value your time below minimum wage.

Re: Strick, Don:Im going to build my own bracket, help
 

No plywood because it will rot, no stainless because I do not know where it would be required. There is also the weight issue. The less it weighs the more floatation you will get. A high density poly core for the transom would be the best and a 4-6 lb. density core for the undersides of the deck would work.

Re: Strick, Don:Im going to build my own bracket, help
 

Jobs are hard to come by these days, even at Wal Mart I imagine. Seriously though, thank you for the advise, but I really enjoy this kind of work. It looks like you used plywood in yours. Did you build a plywood "box" and cover it with layers of glass or did you build it in a mold/

Re: Strick, Don:Im going to build my own bracket, help
 

thanks Don, when you say for the transom, are you talking about the transom of the bracket or at the transom of the boat? How thick would you go for the sides, bottom and front (end bolted to transom of boat)?

Re: Strick, Don:Im going to build my own bracket, help
 

Unfortunately I cannot help you with the specifics of building a bracket due to the fact that I am in the business of building and selling fiberglass outboard brackets. There are several guys on this forum who have built their own that you can check out. I do think that if you are going to go thru the effort of designing,making a mold, and building your own you would be well served to use poly cores instead of plywood. The extra cost will be well worth it down the line. :D

Re: Strick, Don:Im going to build my own bracket, help
 

Thank you Don, I appreciate the advise you gave me and understand the your position. I've been reading alot of your post and have have checked out your great website. Your a true gentleman and your work looks outstanding.
John

Re: Strick, Don:Im going to build my own bracket, help
 

http://www.wellcraftv20.com/gallery/album127

I used plywood for the tramson core, stringers, and swim platform core. Seems to be holding up fine. There's nothing wrong with coring with ply, but I worry a little b/c of the dampness inside the bracket all the time. Also my engine is single 363lb motor . . . which is not the same as 1100+ lbs (twin 3.0L mercs) pushing a 23ft 4000+lb hull 55 - 60mph over 3ft chop. Build it strong!!

Just make sure you don't build a stitch and glue plywood bracket and expect it to hold up.

Re: Strick, Don:Im going to build my own bracket,
 

Great link Big!.....And although it looks straight forward, I will have to agree on the fact that it will be so much better to buy a professionally made bracket like Dons (from Hemco) than to attend to build just one, considering cost, labor, and the peace of mind knowing that your engines won't fall off in rough seas.

just my ten cents

Re: Strick, Don:Im going to build my own bracket,
 

"Just make sure you don't build a stitch and glue plywood bracket and expect it to hold up."

Thanks for the link, what do you mean by "stitch and glue"John

Re: Strick, Don:Im going to build my own bracket,
 

This is part 2:
http://www.wellcraftv20.com/gallery/seacraft_part2

I sprayed gelcoat with a duratek clear additive . . . and I don't recommend it. Within 6 months the bracket changed color from a beautiful deep red to chalky pepto-pink. I would highly recommend painting it with awlgrip or some other type of industrial 2 part coating.

Stitch and glue - http://www.pygmyboats.com/Construction.htm

Re: Strick, Don:Im going to build my own bracket,
 

Gelcoat patch booster and a quality gelcoat, Minicraft of Florida sells all. :D

Re: Strick, Don:Im going to build my own bracket,
 

This is a perfect example of a simple (first timer) mistake. Cost me $80 for the gallon duratec, $30 gelcoat/pigment. Don't forget labor to redo the work . . . i.e. pull the engine, clean and spray the bracket again. Just one of a dozen time consuming costly first timer mistakes . . . but I would still do it all over again. You just have to know that you're not going to save a nickle doing the first time. Second time is 1/2 the price and 1/2 the time. If you are interested I can try to post a time table to make one of these. Rough guess would be 150 hours (without factoring in materials trips and screw ups).

Re: Strick, Don:Im going to build my own bracket,
 

Thank you very much Bigshrimpin and Don. I especially like hearing you would do it over again. With advise from guys like you I can avoid some of the mistakes hopefully. My main concerns over the cosmetics are strength and durability. I don't want to see my motors go to the bottom of the Pacific with my family on board.
John

Re: Strick, Don:Im going to build my own bracket, help
 

Sorry I have not replied sooner. I have been really busy and want to help but have not the time to get into all the specifics of diagrams.

Tim and Don have provided some good advice. Have you made anything out of fiberglass before? If not I'd suggest getting a little practice in before you tackle a bracket. The molds are fairly simple however the design and structural integrity are very important.

If you like tinkering around and time on the water is not a factor then go ahead and make a bracket. Make sure you take it out a bunch of times before you put the wife and kids on it ;)

PM me and I will give you some measurements...just give me a couple days to respond as I'm not on the computer that much these days.

strick