Installing a bracket

[JohnB]

I am getting ready to install an Armstrong bracket on a 89 Sceptre that has a large hardtop on it. Balance on the boat right now is a little nose heavy with a full tank of gas, back to neutral with 1/4 tank.
The bracket is 72" wide, 30" setback, 12 degree angle, with a 250 EFI Merc 2 stroke.
Has anyone installed one, or something similar?
The motor currently is on the transom, and works very well where it's mounted. The info I can find on this, says to mount the motor 2.5 inches higher than were it is currently mounted. I am looking for CSC tribal knowledge on mounting.
I am putting a 4" u-channel to mount on the inside.
Longterm is to close the transom in, and put a live well in there, would should add some weight, and balance the boat.

[strick]

2.5 inches would be the starting point with the 30 inch set back. You may likely have to move it higher so make sure you have room to move the motor up. My anti cavitation plate about 4.5 inches above the bottom of the keel.




strick

[JohnB]

Thanks,
I talked to Armstrong, and they said the top of the bracket should be 23" from the keel, and that would put the motor where it needs to be. Most of the pictures I have seen are close to this, it puts the bracket about 1-2" below the top of the trim tab mounts, which is going to be a pain to work around.

[JW-Tex]

If they are Bennett tabs I think they have shorter hydraulic cylinders availalbe if that helps.

[JohnB]

Thanks,
I just got off the phone with tabman/aka Tom, and he suggested I look at the short ones, they are 2" shorter that the standard ones. I also have the 9x17 which overlap one of the chimes, so I am looking at the 12x12.
Anyone use the shorter accutators? and what are most of you running for tabs, 12x12" ?

[Capt Chuck]

Anyone use the shorter accutators? and what are most of you running for tabs, 12x12" ?

John

I switched out the standard actuators for the short ones on my bracket install. The Potter Bracket sits lower than the Armstrong so the small ones would fit nice and snug underneath for you. I still had to cut out a small section of the bracket. I also use the 12"x12" tabs

[JohnB]

Thanks,
Your boat looks sharp. That bracket has a little bigger "chamber" then the armstrong, but it looks like it is within an inch or so of where they say to mount it (23" above the keel). Did you delete the drain plug?
Also, do you have any pictures of the inside of your transom, how it's laid out?
I am planning on putting a livewell back there on mine.
Your tabs are not "flush" with the bottom, is there a reason for that?

[Capt Chuck]

Did you delete the drain plug?

Yes, Being on a lift makes plug access impossible. A custom garboard drain was fashioned thru the keel with access via the transom door for bilge draining.

do you have any pictures of the inside of your transom, how it's laid out?

Go to the 23' models and view shots of the transom redo.

Click Here---> Transom redo

Your tabs are not "flush" with the bottom, is there a reason for that?

They are flush (up approx 1/8"), the camera angle confused you...

[JohnB]

Thanks,
It looks great. I am contemplating putting a live well in similar to yours, and then seeing if there is enough room to put an insulated infloor fish locker where the livewell used to be.

Man that hermco bracket is a bathtub. It looks like it will mount about the same height as the Armstrong. It must have about 1/3 more floatation. Floatation wan't a huge problem for me, with the sceptre and hardtop, I really don't want to point the nose down any more than it is already.
What have you found going from a transom to a bracket mounted motor? Handling? Balance? Economy?

[Capt Chuck]

and then seeing if there is enough room to put an insulated infloor fish locker where the livewell used to be.

John, depending on how far forward your fuel tank is you should have room. Here are a couple shots of the in-floor Fishbox.