replacing transom on 23' Sceptre

[breadandbobbers]

I am replacing an original transom on a '78 Sceptre. I use the boat exclusively for offshore fishing, and usually fish about 40 nm offshore or more, so ride stability and safety are number one. I am considering glassing in the transom and having a motor bracket installed. I have a single 225 Optimax. Does anyone have any experience or thoughts with such a setup? Any feedback would be greatly appreciated. Thanks so much

[breadandbobbers]

anybody? someones gotta have a 23 with a bracket..

[Old'sCool]

Search this site, there's a lot of info. I have a 23' CC w/closed transom and bracket and would not want to go back to open. It's a world of difference and you won't be disappointed. Check the Hermco glass bracket for twins (large flotation chamber).

[JohnB]

Go to the bottom/last post, and you can see some pictures.
Let me know if you have any questions on anything you see.
http://www.classicseacraft.com/forum...=&fpart=1&vc=1

[breadandbobbers]

thanks a lot guys, i checked out the old posts. i talked to a couple local guys with similar setups here in charleston that loved the closed transom. the only thing is that i talked to several florida boys that were extremely opposed to anything but an open transom and a single screw on the 23. one captain told me he would pay to revert the closed transom setup to an open before taking it in the ocean. confusing stuff, but thanks for the feedback guys

[76Red18]

. the only thing is that i talked to several florida boys that were extremely opposed to anything but an open transom and a single screw on the 23. one captain told me he would pay to revert the closed transom setup to an open before taking it in the ocean. confusing stuff, but thanks for the feedback guys

Sounds like they need bigger scuppers!

[Ryank]

No Doubt to the bigger scuppers lol, I had my transom enclosed and hung a bracket on my 23' for the sole fact of safety, performance and room. Comparatively speaking enclosing the transom and hanging a bracket gives a 23' boat the room of a 25+ foot boat with an open or euro transom.

[JohnB]

I can think of no circomstance that I would want an open transom boat again. I have had both. If I took a bad wave, I could pop my infloor box open, and it has a 1500 gph rule in it. Also, with a CC you might be more likely to bury the bow, and take in some water, with the cuddy's, not very likely.

[breadandbobbers]

thanks a lot, i was thinking along the same lines. its goin to be nice to be able to back down and also the extra room and keeping the water from coming over the transom.

John B. i love your boat. thats what i want mine to look like. im getting a hard top this winter and closing the transom. i got the port seat taken out and added a 6 foot long bench/fishbox. is that a livewell behind the helm? also got a fighting chair so the closed transom will help with the extra room. hopefully the angle with the line wont be too bad when the fish gets close.

anyways thanks for the feedback

[JohnB]

There is a 44 gallon livewell in the transom. The infloor livewell was deleted, and it is a insulated fishbox. The boxes behind the helms are storage, although one could be used as a fishbox. The other has my oil tank and anchor. If I get a fish too big to fit in the fishbox, I have a insulated fishbag in the cabin that I can transfer ice from the fishbox into, and put the fish in there. Only have had to do that a couple times a year. That top tended to make her a little bow heavy, so be careful when you put the top on. The live well in the transom seems to have balanced here out.