20'CC with bracket and full transom

[Mark]

I've read numerous reports of people planning to fill in the transoms on their 20' SeaCraft center consoles and then mount an outboard on a bracket. Can someone direct me to a site that shows a 20' CC that this has been done to?? Most of the bracket manufacturers sites show their brackets on a number of boats but none on 20' center console boats. It sounds like there are some real benefits to doing this but is seems like a fairly large addition to a 19'6" hull. Some photos would be interesting if there are any out there. thanks.

[Rich]

Mark,

Hermco has a couple of the seamark brackets on some 20' Sceptre's. I think I remember reading that these are B Potter's own boats.

http://www.hermco.net/seamark.htm

[Mark]

Hi Rich,

I'd seen the hermco site before but they don't have any center console 20' shots of boats with brackets on them. As I'm redoing my transom this winter, it is an interesting possibility but I'm concerned about fishing out of the stern with the engine so far back (rod warranty time?). I was hoping someone on the site had actually done theirs and had photos of the finished product, as none of the manufacturers sites include small center console shots as examples.

[Trayder]

Hello Mark-

I have mentioned before on the site that I was going to bracket my 20. I do not know if I am going to keep my word on that but for no other reason that fitting the boat in my garage and the added expense. Truth be told,I think its a great idea.

I wish I saved some of the pictures I had from my searches. I found many images of SeaCraft 20 CC with brackets from Boattraderonline and yacht world. Here is an aft picture of a 20 MA. This boat is still for sale on Yachtworld.com it was located in FL now in CT. I think it is a sharp and clean looking bracket:

[Mark]

Thanks for the photo. I hear people referring to 20's with brackets all the time but was having trouble imagining one on a boat that small. I'm at an early enough stage of the refit where it is possible but still wonder what fishing around an engine that has moved back 18" would be like - a conventionally placed engine is hard enough to move around with a determined fish on the end of the line. Thanks again for the photo, I'll continue to ponder the thought. -mark

[Trayder]

Mark-

You bring up a great point about fishing. Most all of the guides I have spoken to down in Key West will have nothing but a notched transom for this reason. On top of that most want a covering board/engine shroud over the outboard to prevent line tangles, keep water out, and quiet the outboard.

like this on the Conch 27:


Its hard to argue with the leaders in CC fishing, but I will. On my 25 there must be 2.5 feet from the cockpit end and the far end of the OB. I have never had an issue or lost a fish because the line snagged in the OB. Perhaps if I was a guide and took unexperienced angles out, then I can see the reason but if you can control a fish I see no problems with a bracket.