20' SeaCraft - better w/ or w/o a bracket ???

keywasted · #1 10-11-2007, 01:03 PM

I'm looking at several 20 seacrafts in my area, all have been restored. The 1989 has a 2001 150 Fitch w/o bracket. The 1974 has a '94 200 Merc and a 25" transom. The 1973 has a '96 Merc 200 w/ bracket.

I'm looking at all of them this weekend and i was wondering if the 20 foot seacrafts perform better with or with out a bracket? Are there any differences in the model years as to quality, features, etc.?

Looking forward to being a full boat owning member...

Maurice.

P.S. I looked at some 23's and they are a little big on the trailer for what i'm looking for.

JohnB · #2 10-11-2007, 04:34 PM

When the 20' SeaCraft was designed, it was supposed to have a 115/140 hp motor on it. Usually a big 4 cyl. It seems that most guys are putting heavier 175-250 6 cyl on them now. With the 20" transom, that is too heavy and too low for most of these boats. Maybe with the 25" transom, it's not to bad, but I would stay away from a 20" transom with a big motor if for no other reason, safety.

The other option was to put a big bathtub bracket on the thing, and then hang the big iron of the back. I have heard mixed results, some like them, some say it screws the boat up. It probably depends on the bracket used, and how it is hung. It is usually a balance issue on the ones I have been on. If I was looking for a 20, I would probably look for one with a 25" transom, no bracket.

Test drive them an let us know what you find. BTW, that 150 fict weighs (400 lbs) almost as much as the 200 merc (460 lbx).

TUGBOAT · #3 10-11-2007, 11:37 PM

This was a BIG decision on restoring my 20'MA / 25" / merc.150. I researched most all w/ brackets & looked asked everybody(Mostly ol' Timers-Before SeaCrafts were cooool). from Lower Miami to 'bout Marathon_Mid Keys.Bunch of em' ,Saw maybe 2- 20's.I wanted a 20' not a made 23-You will not get that ride with a 20' But then I can go where they can't & Vice-Versa. The verdict was No Bracket. Too much weight hang'n that far back & didn't want a "SinkCraft". 23's Without a doubt. There are a few with them now.They seem to like em.

keywasted · #4 10-12-2007, 01:03 PM

Brad & John, thank you for your advice, I think i'll lean towards 20 seacrafts with a 25" transom. I'm assuming that you measure the 25" from the top of the transom to the bottom of the boat hull, in the center???

Thank you, Maurice

Ryan · #5 10-12-2007, 05:21 PM

keywasted, there are so few 20 with brackets, that its hard to say which is the way to go. My suggestion is to try and get a sea trial on both and decide for yourself. Explain to the owners what you are trying to see, they should'nt have a problem with a test run

JohnB · #6 10-12-2007, 05:44 PM

Ryan is right, and I closed my post with that same thought, sea trial and see what you think. There was quite a discussion over on classicmako.com about brackets on boats less than 23', the pros and cons. The general thought, at least on planet mako over there was that the brackets didn't work well on boats 21' and under. I know the mako and seacraft are different, but the issues of balance/etc would be the same on most boats in that size range. I don't know what the production numbers were, but I think there were a lot more makos, than seacrafts. There were more that had brackets put on them too.

PressureDrop · #7 10-12-2007, 06:08 PM

yall remember my 20' seafari with a bracket and 140 johnyzuke, after running it all summer in some beautiful and and some 2-3 chop days and i will say that anything under 2' the boat runs great and barely ever pounds but throw some 3's in there and its hard to stay over 22mph or so, it really starts to launch and bounce all over, kinda feels like there might be too much weight back there. anyways i love the room it affords and wouldnt change it but i have never ridden on an un bracked one. bushwaker? im in west palm lets get together sometime and see how they compare...

CaptLloyd · #8 10-12-2007, 06:27 PM

I would also shy away from the 20" transom w/ a big motor-sure to take water over the transom. I added a B-Bracket to my 20', and I believe it rides better, not to mentioned the space you gain. I did have some CG issues(If I did it over, I would use a bracket with more floatation and some lift, like a Potter bracket), but after alittle tweeking (moving batteries and adding some ballast forward) I'm happy. Try to ride on them all and let us know what you think. Good Luck!

Lloyd

NAHIM · #9 10-17-2007, 06:44 PM

I have a 73 20SC with a stainless Marine bracket "positive flotaion" with a mercury 200hp. Boat handles like a bigger boat. It will porposie a little at like 3200 rpm then I need to play with the tabs. Plus I can cruise at plain at lower RPM. I have pics but don't know how to send them

vcs · #10 10-17-2007, 08:29 PM

What bracket is on that boat? I think that makes a big difference. I have a 1976 18 SF I had a Potter Design/ Hermco Bracket installed on the boat a month ago. I have a 1999 Evinrude Ficht 175 that weights 435lbs. The boat had a 20 inch transom with a 1988 Evinrude 150. The boat floats and rides better. I like that the transom is closed in giving more room in the boat. Just my opinion.
Tony