20' SeaCraft - better w/ or w/o a bracket ???

[JohnB]

When the 20' SeaCraft was designed, it was supposed to have a 115/140 hp motor on it. Usually a big 4 cyl. It seems that most guys are putting heavier 175-250 6 cyl on them now. With the 20" transom, that is too heavy and too low for most of these boats. Maybe with the 25" transom, it's not to bad, but I would stay away from a 20" transom with a big motor if for no other reason, safety.

The other option was to put a big bathtub bracket on the thing, and then hang the big iron of the back. I have heard mixed results, some like them, some say it screws the boat up. It probably depends on the bracket used, and how it is hung. It is usually a balance issue on the ones I have been on. If I was looking for a 20, I would probably look for one with a 25" transom, no bracket.

Test drive them an let us know what you find. BTW, that 150 fict weighs (400 lbs) almost as much as the 200 merc (460 lbx).