23 CC Power Opinions

[goodpen]

FellowShip,

What do you mean by "Deal with the Scuppers"? Moving the outlet from the bottom of the hull to the transom or raising the floor? My plan is to move the exit to the transom and plug the holes in the hull bottom.

Professor

[FELLOW-SHIP]

That’s what I am talking about running them through the back of the transom. If you go with just one motor you could keep them as they are if you move weight forward. I kept them as they are and works ok but again if I was going to do again I would run them out the back.

FellowShip

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My motto: Just for the Grins

[Briguy]

Professor,

I tried to go with twin 115 suzuki's on the back of my '78 cc and it didn't work. Even with a 30" transom I took water over the back and those motors weigh 832 combined and I moved my batteries under the console. My current setup is a completely closed transom and a Mattson bracket. I also went from a fuel tank that was 155 gallons and 8 1/2 feet long to one that is 103 gallons and 5ish feet long thus moving more weight up front. I can keep my scuppers open but choose not to as too much water will end up in the boat. I don't sit stern low but I do wish my bracket had another 200lbs of flotation.

Long story short, I love my setup and would never ever consider going 50+ offshore with an open transom.

My opionion is to do the job right and get a good bracket and if you need the power get 150 or 175 Suzukis. I don't like the idea of you offshore with a single. Now the question-----are you ready to spend 30k on this project?????

PS you will love the ride of the SeaCraft even more with a bracket.

[goodpen]

I don't have issues going off shore with an open transom boat since upto this year have been going out in a 23 Regulator with twins alot further. Also around here there are alot of single engine boats making a 50 mile run to a reef just short of the stream. On the weekend it is like being on well used country road. All the reefs (mostly man made) are all in an easterly direction off the coast so there is constant traffic along the way. So it is nice to know that if you get in trouble you will be able to contact someone on the radio. Also one of the towing services here has quite the radio tower.

Right now the set-up will be for a single with a 30 inch transom with as much weight forward as I can get. After the boat is splashed and I get a feel for what the boat can and cannot do, I will re-evaluate the setup and make adjustments accordingly (which may include adding a bracket). After all its only time and money.

My current restoration plan is not as ambitious as some of the boats highlighted on this forum and hopefully I can keep it under 30K for the original plan. After that only the sky is the limit, right?

[Snookerd]

Professor, Fellowship and others... thanks for your input (especially cutting the console down 6-8" thru the center) The ideal set-up is often ignored (such as the prior owner of my 79 23' with twin 225's on a bracket), the $$ or lack of it is always why a project takes away our boats intended function and weight distribution. Brian- Does that 23K quote for the Yanmar installed sound better now, or is the single Diesel still sound over priced and less safe than 2 outboards offshore? You have seen my converted inboard to bracketed twins, and know that I will be shopping other power otions when I find 25K sitting around The diesel /jackshaft power option is quite appealing for reliablity/fuel cost/and the big ones (speed and weight distribution)

[nestorpr]

Check out the Steyr diesel-Mercruiser options on their webpage. Steel uniblocks and great systems for less price than some others. Some Bertram owners have repowered with them and are pretty happy with the results. If any of you in S. Florida would like to use your boat as a test bed for these engines, there's a guy that will not charge for the labor and will give you a very good price on the equipment. As of now he's just worked on Bertrams but he may like to try out another excellent quality boat. Just my 2 cents.

[Snookerd]

Botapeje-
Looks cutting edge on those diesels with HPDI fuel delivery and a monoblock-no head. Any numbers for performance/price?

[nestorpr]

I don't have any but I'm sure Bruce at Bertram31.com does. Try this link and contact him: http://www.bertram31.com/newbb/viewtopic.php?t=178

He includes a very good description of the engines since he just came back from the factory training. Good luck!