I'm prefer to look at Seacast as an transom replacement option. Done properly, I think there is enough documentation to consider it viable. Are there risks? Yes. A suspect bond is very possible if the adjoining skins are contaminated. It's polyester which offers less adhesion than vinyl-ester or epoxy.
There are still plenty of 19 foot boats with a 20" transom, mostly lake oriented runabouts or speed boats. But off shore, 25" transom is much safer. I think GFS' reference to floaters was re tragic deaths, not too many boats.
Back in the day of the 20" shaft, the motors were 25% lighter. A 115 from the 80s was 300 lbs now they are 400lbs. Ask mitchman or anyone on the board with a SeaCraft 20 that has a 20" transom how they really feel about it. Once water comes over the transom, it keeps coming. As soon as I can I'll be raising mine and getting a shaft extension or a 25" motor. Many guys have already added a splashwell well or enclosed the transom and added a bracket.
The only open transom I feel safe in is a mid 80s Boston Whaler Revenge 20 WT, but I come home black and blue every time I go out in it...
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there's no such thing as normal anymore...
Last edited by McGillicuddy; 10-04-2012 at 06:22 PM.
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