Bracket on a 20
 

I am currently running a 20" transom on my 20MA.
Most engines are 25" shafts and I know some where down the line I will want and will have to replace the transom to a 25" transom . I have a line on a really nice Merc 200 OptiMax with very low hours that I can get for cheap

My question is could I not do a bracket and use a 25" engine till I redue the transom. I know I should just bite the bullet now and relace it but not now, I would rather start using the boat this summer and I like the boat with the engine on the transom. Here is pic of the bracket that I would use
[image]http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b3...cs/bracket.jpg[/image]

Re: Bracket on a 20
 

Jorge, youre gonna take lots of water over the stern with that setup on an open transom, Remember patience pays do it right the first time and youll be happier in the end.

Re: Bracket on a 20
 

Yea I know I'm just going to look for a 20" shaft engine

Re: Bracket on a 20
 

Don't do it. Get a 25" motor and if the transom is in decent shape, raise it to 25". You don't have to replace it to get to 25". There are no suitable modern motors to run on a 20" transom. I know from experience, made the same mistake.

Re: Bracket on a 20
 

Jorge,

I may have a 20 in. 150HP 4S Suzuki w/o lower unit available. If you are interested I will talk to the boss about letting it go.

Mick

Re: Bracket on a 20
 

Confused... how do you use a 25" engine on a 20 transom???

Re: Bracket on a 20
 

PM me your number

Re: Bracket on a 20
 

Sorry, I meant raise the transom to 25" by glassing it.

Re: Bracket on a 20
 

Jorge, there is a 1985 Johnson GT 150 20' for 1k on craigslist in stuart. Some new parts says runs great.Sounds temporary for you so maybe this will do for the summer. Good luck

Re: Bracket on a 20
 

Looking at the following engines

1 1994 Yamaha 225 20 inch shaft with prop says 110 psi across the board asking $2500.

2. 1993 Black Max 150 says very clean (pics looks like it) says 145psi across the board asking $2400

3. 1999 Yamaha 150 carb says 550 hrs with 140 to 145 psi asking $3100

4. 1988 Merc 150 says 125psi on all 6. Has a 20 inch mid and stock lower unit has spacer for 25" shaft also asking $1200

5.late 90's Merc 175 says 130's compression on all cylinders 20" shaft asking $1900

And finally my preferece is

Merc Opti Max 200 low hours (can't remember year). This is a mutual friend of mine that works for Mercury he gets a GREAT discount on a new engine every so often. I spoke to him a few weeks ago but was traveling. I want to say he was asking $3500 only thing it's a 25" shaft. If I can get this one for $3000 I'll raise the transom.... but let's see on this one

OPINIONS WANTED PLEASE!!!!!!

Re: Bracket on a 20
 

20' motor is just gonna get you in the water quicker to scratch that itch, but buying the motor you want and raising the transom is going to make you happier in the long run

Re: Bracket on a 20
 

Ditto....

The 25 inch transom will be the better way to go..
Jorge, you are already in re-do mode, What the heck,
go ahead and raise it...

See ya, Ken

Re: Bracket on a 20
 

Jorge, keep in mind most of those motors can be converted to a 25" shaft with a simple 5" extension kit, whenever you decide to raise the transom. If you're firm about getting a bigger motor I'd seriously consider raising the transom now as others suggested.

Here is a link to a well known aftermarket shaft extension manufacturer.

www.baymfg.com

Go to nada.com and check the weights of the motors you're considering. That late 80s merc 150 is about 375 lbs,
every thing else is likely heavier. The lighter, the better.

If your transom has not been refurbished I would wait on the high powered motor idea... 1200 dollar 115 - 130 will be will be much easier on the transom and perform just fine...
Good luck.

Re: Bracket on a 20
 

Yes I agree lighter lower horsepower engine will be better in the short run
And I will probably go that route like a Black Max 150 or 130 +/- engine.

If I can get the Optimax at a great price then I will go with the transom redo

Re: Bracket on a 20
 

Before doing anything I drilled some holes on the transom to assure myself as to the state of the transom. (more glass work, fairing and sanding)

Drilled 8 holes in different areas and thank fully all the wood that came out was dry. I was pretty confident that it was dry because it had almost no holes drilled in it by the prior owner and the top part has no cracks or seams that the water can get into.

Located 2 late 80's early 90's Merc 150's in the 750 to 1000 range that owners say have good compression and are in good shape. One stated that the steering arm has rusted and may need replacement. From what I have heard you need to remove power head to replace that part?

[image]http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b3...es/merc150.jpg[/image]

Can anyone here shed some light on the process?

Re: Bracket on a 20
 

The '93 Merc as well as the '88 are both under 400 lbs.

That being said, raise the transom to 25", and go with an extra-long shaft motor.

(15" = short shaft; 20" = long shaft; 25" = extra-long shaft; 30" = extra, extra-long shaft)

And yes, replacing the steering arm needs powerhead removal.

Re: Bracket on a 20
 

And the steering arm/pivot pin is a $300+ part. If you can't do it yourself, assume it's going to cost $800 or so to have a shop do it. if you can work on it yourself, you can probably find the parts you need on ebay or c-list for around $100.

Dave