Transom/bracket/re-power

[FINNERTY]

Guys,
The 1985 23' CC Superfisherman that I have owned since new is for sale on this site with no offers yet. I may be keeping it and, if so, will probably update it by closing the transom, adding a bracket, and re-powering with a Yamaha 225 4-stroke or two 150's. I'd appreciate advice on the pros and cons of the alternative engine setups. Also, has anyone used Matan Marine in Rockland, MA for transom or bracket work? Thanks.

[KenB]

Great! I think I feel like one of those cops after talking a guy off the edge of the bridge/roof.

Twins versus Big single screw for 23 is a classic CSC topic. My feeling is that if you are going with new power, single is the way to go. If you are doing used engines, then twins are a good option. For top speed, nothing seems to beat carb'd twin mercs. Which 150's are you looking at? 150 HDPIs would be good, not sure about the 4s. I think someone with twin DF140s posted that they would still take twin DF-140s over a single DF250, but a DF300 over twins if they could do it over again now.

MPGs are better with the big single. Not quite 2x but close, from the numbers I have seen, the bigger the single, the better the MPGs.

Not sure what makes more sense for offshore. One argument is that you always want the second engine in case... another is that since 4S are so reliable, generally issues tend to be in the fuel line, or with the fuel itself, which would shut down both twins. Thus you want a kicker with it's own fuel supply. With twins, twice as much chance that something could go wrong, but more likely to make it back in...?


*******

METAN does an absolutely awesome job, very very high quality. My impression is that their builds end up coming out nicer than most new boats, fit and finish-wise. They are pricey though, from what I hear. Not because they charge extra, just that redoing a boat the way they do takes a lot of man-hours.

One real value of this site is that so many folks have decided to do some or all of the rebuilds themselves, with over-the-counter powertools and some elbow grease. Some folks do the heavy sanding/glassing themselves, and then have the skilled folks come in to install motors, shoot paint, and wiring things up.

Another option is Hermco. He is all over this site, and makes the best floatation bracket around.

[Ryank]

I have a bracket and single yami 225 efi on my Savage, and she runs and handles, great and has good fuel efficiency. I run a solid 29 mph at 4700 rpm burning 11-12.5 gph depending on wind waves etc, with two divers and 4 tanks. With 4 divers and 8 tanks and fishing gear I burn about 14-16 gph at 25 mph. Top end is around 40 but I might not have her propped right, and she is a Heavy Mama with the cabin and extra large heavy duty console. I prefer the single, but would prefer a 4 stroke in the future when I can afford it, though the mpg is not a lot better considering the price difference. I had twin 150's on a 25' and twin 225 on a 29 whaler, and neither one would move any faster then 12-15 mph on one engine, You could get close to that out of a good kicker for alot less $ and or let sea tow do the rest.
One thing I would like to say is that enclosing the transom and adding a bracket not only makes the ride nicer and gives better sense of safety and sea worthiness, it also gives you the room of a 25-26 boat. Enclosing the transom opens it up soo much more, as long as you have them remove the splash well area which I am sure they would. Compared to a new competitors 23, you really get a 19' boat with a 1' euro transom, and a 2 ft bow/ anchor pulpit. These seacrafts are so much bigger, roomier and better riding. For what I have put into my 76' I could have just about any similiarly sized boat on the market, I make the same choice over and over again and go with the Seacraft.

[castalot]

im still undecided if i would rather have a single but these boats look cool with twins and sound great with twin two strokes whining behind you even if it's a little loud
i have old 130s never tried to run or plane on one but do troll with one or both depending on speed desired

[vcs]

I have twin 130's on mine that Don is putting a twin engine bracket on I will send you a picture when it is finished in a couple of weeks.

[joshmon71]

I have stopped and chatted with Mike at Metan-their shop is unreal. The work is excellent. Not a lot of guys are vacuum bagging on the cape. I'd lean to a hermco bracket since fiberglass, mine is armstrong and aluminum and just fine. But fiberglass eliminates the corrosion/anode/painting topic . Single or dual is kinda of an opinion choice...as is engines-I would select an engine based on your local dealer/service comfort level/proximity more than anything between a Suzuki/Merc/Evinrude....

[FINNERTY]

Josh,
I just read your message. Thanks for the advice. Coincidentally, I sent you a PM yesterday about my boat which is for sale on the site. I'm going to do a bracket if it doesn't move soon. My motor works great, but a bracket will justify a new one. What would you do with a 1992 Johnson 225 with 600 hours? What do you think of the Yamahas which I notice you didn't mention?
Thanks again for your help.
Jack Finnerty (FINLAW)