closed transom on a 20

[Ryan]

I know that this has been covered before, but I would love to get a bunch of opinions on this one. Iam seriously considering closing in the transom of my 73 20 sf and adding an armstrong or stainless marine bracket. Does anyone currently run or have run this setup? I see them here and there in s florida but have not been able to get much other than Yes definitely or no dont. Would love everybody's opinion or if anyone has some pictures of a bracketed 20 I would really love to see them- Beagle [img]/images/graemlins/confused.gif[/img]

[Mark]

If I was going to do that (which I didn't), I would go with the Seamark bracket in order to get a bit more floatation. I had a chance to look at them in person a few weeks ago and it really makes sense when you see it. Somewhat hard to explain in words, but the bottom of the Seamark bracket does not angle up as it moves aft the way the others do. It's already a tail-heavy boat, I would think it could use all the help it could get in the floatation dept.

[TUGBOAT]

ianbeagle,This was a much pondered ? for me.I had just joined this forum at the time. Thru all the info I got,I couldn't find one local enough to check out the ride etc. I was told a 20' was not a good size to brackett.eXcept by the brackett guys.The Guy that did My transom to other owners said to stearn heavy.So i didn't do it.Considering I may want to go way out that would be a scary feeling with eXtra weight. There's My 2 bitts' !
Scream'n Reels' [img]/images/graemlins/cool.gif[/img]

[JohnS]

I used to have a 20 MA with a bracket. Personally, I liked it though the ride was a bit different. Yes, the boat was a bit on the stern heavy side and it rode different but it was fine with me, even offshore. When I first got the boat, it did not have trim tabs and with the bracket, it really did need them. I opted for the Bennett Sport Tabs and they really did improve the ride a great deal. Not too much tab was needed either. In other words, I just dropped them a tad and nothing more. I still have some pics of that boat if you would like me to send them to you so you can see. Email me @ Johns9163@aol.com and put in the subject, "SeaCraft", so I won't just think it is spam and delete it...

[Ryan]

thanks john, Isent you an email. Wouldnt the flotation the bracket provides be enough to keep the stern level? Also john who closed the transom for you it really looks good!

[gbf03]

Ianbeagle,
There is one in key largo that is for sale with a bracket might be worth the ride to get your own personal feel. web page also here is another in boat trader that looks a little rear end heavy to me check out this pic

[JohnS]

The transom was already closed in when I bought it. The guy I got the boat from was a finatic about stuff. I still have his phone number and may be able to get that info for you if and when you are ready to do it. I think I may still have the phone number to the new owner as well. I will have to look and see. Let me know if you want those numbers and I will try to dig them up for you.

On the floatation, yes, it would be enough though the one that was on the boat could have used a little more on the bottom end to give it some more lift while at rest. It worked for me without any problems. The only thing I would have done differently would have been to mount the ladder on the underside of the bracket like my new boat is. That works much better then the one that was on the other boat. That is definitely a change I would have made if I had known better.

[Houdini]

I have a 1972 20' closed in and am completely happy with it. Yes it is a little more stern heavy, but I would do it again in a heartbeat. In fact I am persuing a 23' cc (if the seller will get off it) that I plan on doing the same thing. The boat rides incredible and is a much drier boat then before. I like to wonder offshore quite a bit (to fish)and don't like water coming over the transom while drifting in rough waters. It's not a comfortable feeling. Also, I use the boat for backcountry fishing, so it's not that stern heavy. I attached a photo.

[gbf03]

houdini,
Nice boat! Like Ianbeagle, I have been going back and forth on what to do to my 20 when I start my project. Do you have a master angler or is it a superfish, because I was wondering what you did with the boxes in the back and motor well, if it is a superfish.
Thanks,
George

[JohnS]

George, FYI, that second boat that you put the link up for used to be in down in the Keys. It went for about 16K down there and was brought up north. Now, the same boat is up for sale for 24K? That boat has been for sale for a VERY long time.... [img]/images/graemlins/frown.gif[/img]