Bracket questions
 

Ok heres the situation I have a chance to get a aluminum armstrong bracket in nice condition from my cousin, cheap, while I'm here in south FL. Pretty sure it is set for 25" outboard, ill measure the whole thing and post dimensions wed. Questions I have are is this going to be too heavy, it does have a large open chamber obviously. Or would I be better dropping some $ and getting one made by say hermco? I still have the original transom on my 1973 20sf and I think it starting to show its age, so I figured get the bracket do a new full transom and be on my way. So any you guys with aluminum backets or any brackets at all who have some advice/pics I would greatly appreciate it. Also how do these old seacrafts run with bracket on? Thanks

Re: Bracket questions
 

I have an armstrong bracket on my 23 cc and love it. I push the boat with a 225 eTEC. If I had any complaint it would be that my stern is not heavy enough with the floatation and if I put too much in the bow it rides a bit bow heavy at slow speeds. I have the dive platform and ladder along with the single engine bracket.

Now, if I was to do it over again I would go with a bracket from Hermco. The only reason is I like the fiberglass better and like his work.

Now if I had to decide between the two price would be the key factor. It sounds like you can get the armstrong without sinking a ton of cash. If that is the case then you will be happy with it.

Re: Bracket questions
 

Thanks for the response Rain, Yeah I can get the bracket for a couple hundred bucks. Did you rig yours yourself? If so, how do you figure out what height to mount the bracket?

Re: Bracket questions
 

I have a 20' SF with an aluminum bracket on it and its great. Good handling, gives me a ton more room in the boat, more top end. I went with aluminum because of cost, if I had unlimited funds for the SeaCraft would I of had HermCo make me a custom one with a platform and the works?..sure, but I don't and saved a couple thousand in the process.

I'm very happy with it.

As far as mounting, this website helped me a lot.

Pic in action:

http://www.noahbeach.com/images/hosting/bracket1.jpg

Not sure how much your engine weighs but my Zuke is 474# dry, I put a new transom in my boat last year and went back with Coosa to save on weight, moved batteries from the stern to under the console. Boat has the original thru-floor scuppers and original deck and is still self bailing with 2 people + gear.

Re: Bracket questions
 

I love the way these old SeaCrafts run with brackets personally. I love mine and I say go for it. For multiple reasons , check a couple of these links out.

Bracket on a 20 MA questions

my first post

Re: Bracket questions
 

Thanks seaplus and bruce. The bracket I'm looking at has a full platform too which is what I really like. And your boat runs faster with the bracket? I have 225 efi Merc on mine right now and it runs pretty fast. Again I have the original transom, what did you guys do with the splashwell and hatches, if anything, again thanks

Re: Bracket questions
 

Check out this post I did about brackets some time ago: Bracket Pros & Cons It covers all the major issues I could think of. Denny

Re: Bracket questions
 

Pretty Fast?!?! ..That baby should do 50 with a t-top and fuel...lol... Btw mine was i/o so I still have the engine hatch/seat. I thought I was gonna hate the big engine cover but its doable for a couple more seasons until I do some major work to this thing. BTW she runs a little faster with a bracket. More importantly to me, the boat is much dryer and softer than other non bracketed 20' SC's I've been on...She runs so much better in the ocean imo...

Re: Bracket questions
 

I dont have a T top but I got 68 69 mph once with that merc, but I'm more interested in how it will ride. Most guys have said it will run better in the water

Re: Bracket questions
 

Ok got the measurements for this bracket and wonder what you guys think. Here they are, 30" set back, 6' wide, 25" give or take a half inch where the engine mounts and 19" roughly in the front where it mounts to transom. Let me know what you think, would really like as much feedback as possible. Thanks

Re: Bracket questions
 

that's my bracket with wings on it...should be fine.

Re: Bracket questions
 

Thanks Bruce looks like I will be doing the job when/if spring gets to NJ. Another question I have is anyone running a 20" shaft with a bracket? It would seem to me the engine and bracket would sit a little low with that set up but some info on that would be helpful. My engine is a 20" right now and was thinking of converting it to a 25" for use with the bracket.

Re: Bracket questions
 

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You really need to convert it to 25" IMO, you could probably run the 20" all the way down if you had to but I really wouldn't on what you are wanting to do......you're more than welcome to check mine out, I'm by AC....

Re: Bracket questions
 

Thanks again Bruce, yeah if you dont mind I would like to check your boat when I get back from FL next week. I'm thinking I will convert the engine because its low on hours and has tons of power. Also did you rig yours yourself? thanks again.

Re: Bracket questions
 

Anyone know of a place to get an outbord extension for a merc in/near NJ? And/or done the job themselves? I found a place in S Fl to buy one but I'd like to find local

Re: Bracket questions
 

On my last boat I had to convert my mercury to 25" shaft after Don mounted bracket for me/took me about 2 hours (I changed water pump too and new lube. Member "deepsushi" hooked me up with a guy who sells them dirt cheap..I pm'd you with details and email contact address to vendor. So email him and see if he has any in stock that will fit your application... or buy one at http://www.baymfg.com/mercury.asp


http://i271.photobucket.com/albums/j...100_2154-1.jpg


-Fred

Re: Bracket questions
 

Thanks Fred I appreciate it very much, I will drop him an email.

Re: Bracket questions
 

Seaplus your outboard weighs the same as mine, did you use those exact measurments from that website when you mounted your bracket? Thanks

Re: Bracket questions
 

Well after taking the shrink wrap off the boat and taking some measurements from my transom and the bracket I picked up S FL it appears there may be a problem. Looks like the angle of the mounting surface of the bracket is more than the angle of the transom itself. These were measurements taken with a level and tape. I will check again with a framing square once I locate mine. But right now it doesnt look like it will work. Unless someone has a thought or two. There was talk of a shim but I dont think that is a good idea.