SeaMark Outboard bracket Photos

[JohnB]

abl1111,

--- Are you thinking of adding a bracket to your transom mounted o/b ? If so, why ?
Thinking hard about it. I would like to get the back end of the boat about 3 inchs higher than it is now. We power drift in 150-300 feet of water which involves putting the back of the boat into the waves/wind to hold it on position. Not a real comfortable situation on some days with a cutout transom.

--- Or, are you trying to just close the present transom opening to minimize seawater from coming in ?
That too. I like the looks the way it is now, but with a full tank of gas, and 4 people, she sits a little low in the back. Not really unsafe though.

--- By the way, how do you like the o/b on your 23 ? Does the motor provide enough power at all speeds ? I am palying w/ the idea of converting my i/o to o/b and would appreciate your input.
I like the o/b real well. The 250 is a good fit for the boat, 225 would be the min.
If I was going thru all the hassel of converting to an o/b, I would probably put a bracket on it.

The thing that has me on edge, is I have been on some boats that have had brackets put on (not the hermco) that have not handled very well. I don't know what is due to how it is mounted, whose bracket, and the general hull design. Also, there is all the little details of plumbing/rigging to work out. If anyone has a hermco single engine boat in FL, I would love to ride on it, or at least see pictures on how it is rigged before I lay out 4 grand.

[hermco]

The pic of the boat with the single 30"motor is a twin bracket with a single 30" shaft length motor that can accept the install of two 25" motors in the future.The beauty of using the twin bracket with a single 30" shaft motor is you get approx 850 lbs. of floatation from the twin bracket that only has to "float" 500 lbs. of motor (250 hp).You are offsetting the weight of the motor and gaining buoyancy in the stern.The fact that the bracket is all fiberglas means you are actually "adding boat" not bracket. and getting all the benefits of a bracket mounted engine.
d.h. [img]images/icons/grin.gif[/img]

[JohnB]

Ok,
So no one that has looked at this thread has a Hermco Bracket on????
I lost that bet.
Next, The boat is 23' by 8' beam. since it has a deep dead rise, and mine has the large top on, it can roll a little when sitting still fishing. If I put the bracket on, effectivly, I have made a 25' by 8' beam boat. Won't it be more likely to roll?
Next, with 800 or so pounds of boyency, will the nose be pointed down? and the boat not drain correctly (into the cabin) at rest?
Also, I spent quite a bit of time/money setting up a protech 4 blade prop. This rig is really hooked up. What effect will the bracket have on the proping of the boat. I got alot of lift in the stern with the 4 blade prop.
I ask again, anyone seen a setup with a 475 pound outboard on the back with the twin motor bracket?

[JohnB]

I usually don't reply to my own post, but...
HermCo, have you ever put a fishfinder transducer into one of those fancy brackets?
From what I can tell, that thing fits real tight against the outline of the transom.
I am looking a putting a thru hull in mine, but not real keen on putting another hole in the hull.
What do you think?
Thanks, John

[Finster]

John, I see your getting close to a remodel. I don't want to answer for Don, but I think that small difference in offset would create turbulence for the transducer.

[JohnB]

Finster,
I have about decided that I will not do anything until I can look at and try out the exact setup that I intend to implement. The transom on my boat is just a little tired (250 hp 472#'s, no real rot or water penetration). The rig right now is really well hooked up. I just would like a little more room, and a little less water slooshing around in the splash well. I am working on a design that I want to implement back there, and when I get done with the drawings, I will post it. I'm thinking of putting in a removable insert fish box/live well back above the splashwell, and a fold up convertable bench/jump seat in front. I'm also looking at some options with the live well in the floor. Drainage and balance are 2 important factors. Also toying with the idea of relocating 1 or both of the batteries.

[hermco]

I have not installed a transducer in one of the "fancy" brackets and I doubt it would work. The bracket sits higher than the bottom of the boat creating a "stepped" hull effect therefore the ducer would not allways have a clean flow of water across it. [img]images/icons/cool.gif[/img]