Steve,
Building a well for the motor is certainly more work than a bracket, but the boat would definitely be better balanced with it and you'd save some weight. A couple of years ago, I asked Carl Moesly how the CG compared between the I/O and OB configuration. He said it's further forward on the I/O, even with the very light outboards they had back in the 60's! Although the I/O weighs a lot more, most of the weight is forward of the transom. That confirms my experience because I know the I/O Seafari rides better and will plane at a lower speed than the OB model
What you're proposing should give you a CG similar to the I/O, but with less engine weight, and much less weight than a bracket. The bracket might give you a 2-3 increase in top speed, but my experience is that it will hurt the ride and increase min planing speed. Once you add a 4B prop and an AV plate fin to correct those problems, top will probably be LOWER than it would be with a motor on transom!
If you put a compact low profile motor like a V-4 E-TEC in the well, it would probably fit under your existing I/O engine box, so you would end up with a full height splashwell too! The only problem I can see with that is that you'd have to check the tach to be sure motor is running, since you won't be able to hear it! Denny
|