Bob's Porta Braket

[tangofniro]

Anyone have any thoughts on these? Anyone think that these would work better than a standard bracket or at least as well?

www.bobsmachine.com

[BARNABY55]

Too much money for me

[FELLOW-SHIP]

If I was going to install a bracket (which I am not since I don’t like them) I would not get one that didn’t have a flotation chamber to offset the weight of the motor and bracket. When you put a bracket on any boat you are changing the center line of balance towards the transom because of the extension of bracket and the motor by approx. 1-2 feet past the manufacturers intended position. That makes the boat stern heavier and the bow lighter. This can effect the scuppers plus several other problems that again the manufacturer did not set up the boat for. In addition the weight of the motors are getting heavier not lighter this again can effect the balance line of the boat. I think that brackets should compensate not only for the weight of the newer motors and weight of the bracket they should also consider the balance factor as well lets say a extra 250 lbs of flotation would be a good idea. Most guys that put brackets on their boat also close off the transom and use some of the area for additional storage, live well, batteries or fish box. So by adding a bracket we also add more weight in a area that we shouldn’t. I will say this on the positive side for the consideration of brackets I do like the new boats with the uni-brackets that are a part of the boat and also “some” after market brackets that are built which take all these considerations into the process of making “your custom bracket” plus look good because they are made for your boat.
FellowShip [img]images/icons/cool.gif[/img]

[Dave Hirshberg]

Tango, I've used them on flats boats, but thats a Hydraulic (or manual) Jack plate with a set back, not really a bracket. Nothing wrong with anything Bob's builds though. If you are looking for a small set back bracket (8"to 10") for boats under 150 hp Stainless marine makes one. Again its really made for small boats built with solid transoms . It gets the motor just far enough off the transom to mount.

[Ed]

Fellowship-

I couldn't agree with you more. Too many boats out there with brackets "bolted on" that are throwing the balance on the boat off. A quick look at the waterline in the stern in usually a dead giveaway.

However, I know of several people who have taken the time and effort to rebalance the boat properly when installing a bracket. I would also like to see in person a HERMCO/Potter bracket retrofitted on a 23 Secraft or Mako and maybe even get to go for a ride on it (FINSTER....next year maybe??).

-Ed-

[FELLOW-SHIP]

Ha Ed
I also like the Hermco bracket and if I was going to use one I would look at theirs first. I especially like how deep on the transom the flotation chamber goes down. Some of these off the shelf brackets flotation chambers appear to serve more as a center trim tab than a counter balance for the offset, and the additional weight that needs to be compensated for. Another thing that usually is a inherent problem is the height of the bracket location, for me 30” shaft motors are the only way to go, and if I was setting a boat up for the smaller twins I would still want two 30” shaft motors and have the bracket made with those considerations in mind I think that the flotation chambers need to be designed to offset the “extra height” and extra weight. One of the things I have noticed is how the extra weight with the balance offset causes the motor to dip into the sea when one is drifting and on usually those some boats how the brackets plow down into the sea when they back down on fish this could be a potential nightmare ready to happen. Some day someone is going to scrap this whole method of attached brackets to transom with bolts and start making a new one altogether a (one piece) uni transombracket by removing most of the transom and starting from there with epoxy and glass.
FellowShip [img]images/icons/cool.gif[/img]

[Ed]

Fellowship-

You're a wise man. 30inch motors are definitely the only way to go.

When my Suzuki 225 bites the dust, the Mako is getting a 30inch transom and a new motor 30inch motor to match. Hopefully by then, the weight of the 4strokes will have come down a lot or they will still be making 2strokes. No way am I bolting 600lbs to the arse end of my boat.

-Ed-

[JohnB]

Ed Mancini,
If you find one, let me know. I have been posting/begging for someone to let me see how the hermco works in action before a drop 5K to have the bracket and transom closed in on my boat. The problem for me is that the boat performs really well as it is. If it's not broke, don't fix it. I am looking at putting a fishbox in the transom, so I don't have coolers rolling around in the back of the boat. I also have some ideas in a fold down seat in the back.

[Ed]

JOHN B-

I think Finster from NJ recently bought a HERMCO bracket for his 23 CC. He and his wife just had a baby so he didnt think he would get a chance to install it until this winter maybe.

Ask him the next time he posts a message.

-Ed-

[JohnB]

Thanks Ed,
I will check with him when he gets it installed.