1973 23ft.seacraft

My Sacrifice · #1 03-01-2002, 02:08 AM

The boat I purchased has an inboard outboard and, I was thinking of taking the motor and outdrive out. Then thinking of in stalling a bracket and two outboards. I would like any ideas about how much power I would need or should I stay with the Inboard. Any ideas or comments would be thankful.And most of all thanks for the great site!!!!

Billybob · #2 03-01-2002, 09:40 AM

Well my opinion will probably be in the minority, but I would keep it as an I/O.First of all, an I/O is cheaper to run, and cheaper to own and it will give you more range.Secondly, a 73 with a full transom I/O setup, is much rarer than the o/b setup.You can even upgrade to a Yanmar if you want.A lot of people will claim that an I/O is a maintenance nightmare in salt, but I owned one for 13 years without major trouble - starters and alts last about 2 years - so just take them to the rebuild shop, you will have to replace manifolds, but overall I think they get a bad rap.IMO.

Trayder · #3 03-01-2002, 04:57 PM

I know little about I/O's so I will not comment on the performance ofthem.

As for the bracket addition, I think It would be a winning solution for you

1: Much more cockpit space
2: Props are running in cleaner water
3: IMO outboards are more desirable for resale (not that you would ever sell a classicseacraft [img]images/icons/wink.gif[/img] )

I have seen a few bracketed 23's and all the owners were pleased. power combos ranged from single 200's to twin 200's with the full spectrum between. The only one that I saw that looked a tad scarey was a 23 I/O to bracketed ourboard conversion but they used a non-floatation bracket and put twin 200's on it. At rest the boat looked a tad "off Balance" I imagine at speed the running angle probably helped but at rest the boat was very stern heavy. Point being go with a floatation bracket.( I am sure that was your plan anyhow)
Considering this 23 had twin 200's with a non-floatation bracket I think 200's would work and that is a lot of ponies behind a 23 foot boat. Granted you may have to stay within Manf. suggested limit for insurance/safety concerns.

Here is a pic of a 23 on Boattraderonline with a set of V6 yamahas

Anyone know who the outfit is that is selling this boat? They have this one and a 20 in amazing condition, all tricked out with teak decks and brackets etc. Curious if anyone knew them?

Scott · #4 03-02-2002, 09:58 AM

This is something I'm struggling with, to a degree. I would like the bracket mainly to gain more room in the boat. I have seen several of them done and they come out really nice. My problem is that I would want the bracket mounted to accommodate a 30" shaft and currently I have a 25"(to keep the head out of the water,as I would assume that even with a float bracket there is a delay in the rate of rise of the stern of the boat when a wave/swell comes under the boat as in a drifting situation) To spend the money on the bracket install and new motor, well thats a little scary right now. If I felt comfortable redoing the transom thats one thing ...BUT Redoing the transom (closing it up and getting rid of the big motor well and putting in a new deck is not something I'm not to sure I want to mess with (unless Trayder wants to come down and help as it seems by the looks of some pictures nothing scares you !!). I'm sure that motor well of mine has alot to do with keeping the rear-end of that boat together. I've priced it out and its a little steep to have it done. However, I'm still inquiring about putting on a bracket with the 25" shaft, that is if there is no real issues with the motor getting dunked. I do think the bracket would be a benefit in the installation of twin outboards. There would be a much greater surface area to distribute that weight over.

On the other side of the coin it would be nice to keep the original look of the boat with the notched transom and motor well(AKA Seafari). Chris and I have had discussion around this and I think we both agree that if the well area is properly sealed up (no pop out hatches) there is no real problem with water getting into the boat (a concern of us all). I'm keeping ,or atleast attempting to keep, everything original. The planked deck, no other structural changes, the steering wheel on the starboard sdie of the console and so on...SO

Has anyone with a bracket dunked the motor??? What about coming off plane???.Has anyone remounted after the bracket was installed for an old motor then repowered with a different shaft length???

Scott

My Sacrifice · #5 03-04-2002, 11:34 PM

If I decided to go with twin outboards what brand or kind of floatation bracket would you think would be the best?

My Sacrifice · #6 03-04-2002, 11:35 PM

If I decided to go with twin outboards what brand or kind of floatation bracket would you think would be the best?