To bracket or not to bracket?

Briguy · #1 07-12-2002, 06:13 PM

Reel Smoker, I am considering a dual flotation bracket for my '78 23' CC. What was the cost of your Armstrong bracket? Did you install it yourself or have a dealer do it? Any add'l info would be great!

Thanks

Reel Smoker · #2 07-18-2002, 06:56 PM

Brian,The bracket cost me about 2200.00 including the ladder and sales tax.I took the boat to Stuart Fla. 1 block down from Armstrong is a small shop that he specializes in Seacrafts. He installed it and replaced the transom that was rotten.Im very satisfied with the end result. 3 can fish now at the stern not like before when the well was in the way.If you go for the bracket make sure its a wide body with the chamber,Im waiting to get a scanner to post some pics. RS.

Briguy · #3 08-22-2002, 05:04 PM

I have decided to install a bracket on my 23' CC. Does anyone know how the best way to remove the old baitwell? (Jigsaw?) I am assuming this will have to be done in order to properly bolt the bracket on. Any thoughts or advise would be much appreciated.

JohnB · #4 08-22-2002, 11:07 PM

Briguy,
Did you mean spash well, or bait/live well? I don't think you have to do anything to the baitwell to install a bracket on any SC I have seen. The splash well mods would be to recover the space. You might want to look over at the HermCo site at what they have done with that
bracket. I'm pretty well sold on their bracket, but trying to figure out all the details before I
pull the trigger on that job.
Does anyone have any pictures that they can post or e:mail me that show a seacraft with a full transom and a finished off splashwell?
I am trying to get some ideas with mine.
I would like to put a livewell and or fishbox in the back.
I also would like to put a fold down bench seat across the
back.

Briguy · #5 08-23-2002, 11:33 AM

JohnB, Thanks for the reply. I have been poking around the insided transom and I'm amazed at the thickness of the glass to build that old baitwell! The bottom must be 5/8" thick. What I cannot figure out is if the rear of the baitwell is affixed solidly to the transom or if there is a dead space. Any space there would not allow me to properly bolt on my bracket. Once I have the bracket on, what the heck am I going to do with all of that space? (Most of my old well has been modified to gain about 12" of deckspace.) but I still have a mini splashwell. I would love to put a bench seat in along with storage underneath. I am very concerned about my ability to properly( neatly) close in the transom. Time is my major factor, the second is lack of any garage facility. OH, IF ONLY ALL OF US LIVED IN THE SAME COUNTY LIFE WOULD BE PERFECT! Would we name it SEACRAFTSVILLE or POTTERSTOWN?

FELLOW-SHIP · #6 08-23-2002, 05:03 PM

HA BRIGUY
WHEN I DID MY TRANSOM I REMOVED THE BAIT WELL. WHAT YOU HAVE THERE IS THIS. ON THE BOTTOM OF THE LIVE WELL HAS A SOLID GLOB OF FIBERGLASS RESIN ABOUT THE DEMETER OF A MEDIUM DINNER PLATE AND ABOUT I/2 TO ¾ “ THICK THE LIVE WELL SITS ON THIS GLOB AND THE THROUGH HULL FITTING IS DRILLED DIRECTLY THROUGH THE LIVE WELL, THE GLOB AND THEN THROUGH THE HULL IT IS ALL WATER TIGHT SO YOU DON’T HAVE ANY WATER SEEPAGE. THEN ON THE BACK OF THE LIVE WELL DIRECTLY IN FRONT OF THE TRANSOM IS A SMALL SPACE, THE LIVE WELL IS NOT CONNECTED TO THE TRANSOM. SO IF YOU ARE THINKING OF DRILLING HOLES THROUGH THE LIVE WELL TO MOUNT THE BRACKET YOU GOT WATER SEEPAGE PROBLEMS.
FELLOW-SHIP [img]images/icons/shocked.gif[/img]

Reel Smoker · #7 08-23-2002, 10:40 PM

Brian, the guy that did the work on my boat cut it out with a saw saw. He told me that it is not easy to remove them because they are epoxied on the bottom. Also you have to know what your doing upon putting it back together, he built some knees on the new transom and attached it to the floor. Remember that the livewell is a structural integrated piece when you remove it it will weaken the area , so you have to know what your doing. good luck. RS,