Transom angle different from bracket
 

Another trip to the CSC well of knowledge!

I have a good deal on a bracket for my 20, the bracket is built for 11 degree transom angle. My transom measures 13 degree. The cost savings is significant and I assume the angle is close enough but I wanted to ask more generally, how much of a difference can you get away with and is there anything to do to compensate? I have seen a few threads about used brackets so I'm sure others have dealt with this. How much is too much?

I would think that would be pushing it if your boat sits high in bow or the bracket/outboard combo makes the rear sit low. The more bow happy the hull is the worse the bracket will angle back towards the outboard or worse it will be un-level with the water.

Assuming it is a 30" setback bracket, the back will be 1" below 'level' when the keel is horizontal or level.

Thanks for the advice. I planned on getting the bracket this weekend. I texted the seller a few times over the weekend and did not get a response (Craigslist). Looks like I'm still shopping! I would prefer one that is properly matched to the boat if all other things were equal. This was a brand-new bracket for a little under half of new cost so I would be willing to make some adjustments to make it work.
I asked on the other forum and someone replied that the mounting height of the bracket should change if the two angles are not the same. The point is to keep the mounting height of the motor the same. I believe they said that this information came from Armstrong. It makes sense I just didn't think of that before.

You can make up a few degrees with 4200.
Put a low bead down first and feather.

You could layer some fiberglass where the bracket mounts and sand/taper until the bracket angle is correct.

Very true, seen a stright swim platform on a slightly curved transom and the 4200 easily filled the gaps at the ends. They were about 1/4" at the worse part.


Also if you used washers for spacers on the thick part of the gap and none on the thin part you could tighten it down and the washers would keep the thick part of 4200 from smashing out. Once it set up you would be good to go....

i had a large gap on the sides after i rebuilt my transom so stuck plastic to the transom, mounted the bracket, then taped off the bottom and sides and poured epoxy mixed with milled fiber to make a big epoxy shim. I was repainting anyway so i pulled it back off, touched it up with some filler and sander. after paint you cant even tell. As others said, 4200 will fill a 1/4" gap easily.