Bracket questions

jwclbi · #1 02-23-2010, 07:12 PM

Ok heres the situation I have a chance to get a aluminum armstrong bracket in nice condition from my cousin, cheap, while I'm here in south FL. Pretty sure it is set for 25" outboard, ill measure the whole thing and post dimensions wed. Questions I have are is this going to be too heavy, it does have a large open chamber obviously. Or would I be better dropping some $ and getting one made by say hermco? I still have the original transom on my 1973 20sf and I think it starting to show its age, so I figured get the bracket do a new full transom and be on my way. So any you guys with aluminum backets or any brackets at all who have some advice/pics I would greatly appreciate it. Also how do these old seacrafts run with bracket on? Thanks

Rainmaker · #2 02-23-2010, 08:54 PM

I have an armstrong bracket on my 23 cc and love it. I push the boat with a 225 eTEC. If I had any complaint it would be that my stern is not heavy enough with the floatation and if I put too much in the bow it rides a bit bow heavy at slow speeds. I have the dive platform and ladder along with the single engine bracket.

Now, if I was to do it over again I would go with a bracket from Hermco. The only reason is I like the fiberglass better and like his work.

Now if I had to decide between the two price would be the key factor. It sounds like you can get the armstrong without sinking a ton of cash. If that is the case then you will be happy with it.

jwclbi · #3 02-23-2010, 09:00 PM

Thanks for the response Rain, Yeah I can get the bracket for a couple hundred bucks. Did you rig yours yourself? If so, how do you figure out what height to mount the bracket?

SeaPlusPlus · #4 02-23-2010, 09:31 PM

I have a 20' SF with an aluminum bracket on it and its great. Good handling, gives me a ton more room in the boat, more top end. I went with aluminum because of cost, if I had unlimited funds for the SeaCraft would I of had HermCo make me a custom one with a platform and the works?..sure, but I don't and saved a couple thousand in the process.

I'm very happy with it.

As far as mounting, this website helped me a lot.

Pic in action:

Not sure how much your engine weighs but my Zuke is 474# dry, I put a new transom in my boat last year and went back with Coosa to save on weight, moved batteries from the stern to under the console. Boat has the original thru-floor scuppers and original deck and is still self bailing with 2 people + gear.

workinpr0gress · #5 02-23-2010, 09:39 PM

Quote:

Ok heres the situation I have a chance to get a aluminum armstrong bracket in nice condition from my cousin, cheap, while I'm here in south FL. Pretty sure it is set for 25" outboard, ill measure the whole thing and post dimensions wed. Questions I have are is this going to be too heavy, it does have a large open chamber obviously. Or would I be better dropping some $ and getting one made by say hermco? I still have the original transom on my 1973 20sf and I think it starting to show its age, so I figured get the bracket do a new full transom and be on my way. So any you guys with aluminum backets or any brackets at all who have some advice/pics I would greatly appreciate it. Also how do these old seacrafts run with bracket on? Thanks

I love the way these old SeaCrafts run with brackets personally. I love mine and I say go for it. For multiple reasons , check a couple of these links out.

Bracket on a 20 MA questions

my first post

jwclbi · #6 02-23-2010, 10:47 PM

Thanks seaplus and bruce. The bracket I'm looking at has a full platform too which is what I really like. And your boat runs faster with the bracket? I have 225 efi Merc on mine right now and it runs pretty fast. Again I have the original transom, what did you guys do with the splashwell and hatches, if anything, again thanks

Bushwacker · #7 02-23-2010, 10:52 PM

Check out this post I did about brackets some time ago: Bracket Pros & Cons It covers all the major issues I could think of. Denny

workinpr0gress · #8 02-24-2010, 12:21 AM

Quote:

Thanks seaplus and bruce. The bracket I'm looking at has a full platform too which is what I really like. And your boat runs faster with the bracket? I have 225 efi Merc on mine right now and it runs pretty fast. Again I have the original transom, what did you guys do with the splashwell and hatches, if anything, again thanks

Pretty Fast?!?! ..That baby should do 50 with a t-top and fuel...lol... Btw mine was i/o so I still have the engine hatch/seat. I thought I was gonna hate the big engine cover but its doable for a couple more seasons until I do some major work to this thing. BTW she runs a little faster with a bracket. More importantly to me, the boat is much dryer and softer than other non bracketed 20' SC's I've been on...She runs so much better in the ocean imo...

jwclbi · #9 02-24-2010, 04:23 PM

I dont have a T top but I got 68 69 mph once with that merc, but I'm more interested in how it will ride. Most guys have said it will run better in the water

jwclbi · #10 02-28-2010, 08:12 PM

Ok got the measurements for this bracket and wonder what you guys think. Here they are, 30" set back, 6' wide, 25" give or take a half inch where the engine mounts and 19" roughly in the front where it mounts to transom. Let me know what you think, would really like as much feedback as possible. Thanks