Bracket Modification

[Trayder]

Capt.-

I respect what you are doing 110% but instead of patching it today, assuming you can still live with the way it is today, put some $$ aside over the next few months and do it properly tomorrow.

Throwing good $ at an odd fix may not be the best solution. Do it right and be done with it for good.

[hermco]

Just watched on MSNBC that a couple with two children will be getting a $100.00 tax rebate! Talk about an economic stimulus! If that happens for the next 20 years the Capt. will have a new bracket!

[CaptLloyd]

Thanks for all of the advice, I'll mull it over and keep you posted on what I do.

To be honest, the real reason I don't want to spend thousands on this boat is that in a few years, I'll be in position to spend the money, and do it right...on a 23'

Lloyd

[Islandtrader]

This solved the problem and the boat has been operating just fine for five years,

I agree with Trayder. If it has worked fine this long, leave it. Save the dollars, and get what you really want.

If you are so inspired, to work come on over to my place and start grinding on the "21".

[CaptLloyd]

Terry,

Thanks for the offer, if I'm ever on your side of FL, I would be honored to rub on your 21', that's quite a gem you have there

Lloyd

[tunaorlater]

I would weld the box you want onto the bracket you have and make it one piece and water tight. Just my .02

[CaptLloyd]

Well, I built it, and took it for a test ride, and I'm very happy with how it worked.



The boat sits at least an inch higher at the stern, the scuppers(which I moved outboard) are completely out of the water.

The boat jumps on plane with very little bow rise, and the motor is not getting the fire hose treatment as before. On plane, the bucket is about 2 inches out of the water, and there seems to be no effect to how the boat takes tight turns.

The bucket is constructed of 2 layers of heavy mat, and a layer of heavy biaxial cloth I found at Boathouse. Corners and attachment edges are beefed up. I used about 3 gallons of polyester resin. The nominal thickness is about 5/16", it seems very strong, and weighs 37 lbs. The cost for materials and supplies was just over $400.

The cosmetics are not perfect, but I did some fairing and used high build primer to smooth it out. I rolled on Interlux Brightside Polyurethane paint, there are many runs, which I'll deal with later.

Now that I know it works, I'll permanently attach it with 5200 and 12 3/8" thru-bolts. I cut two 5" inpection hatches on the swimplatform to access the inside of the bucket. Also, I'm adding Rabuds to the scuppers drains I moved outboard on the transom. Next, I'll remove the lead I have in the forward hatch which I have been using for ballast.


It will be available for inspection at Long Point.

Lloyd