Bracket on an 18

[FELLOW-SHIP]

The problem with boats is that they All “after one or two seasons of fishing” are approx 3 feet two small. I don’t care which boat you have they all just not quite big enough for what we really want. SOOOOOO we think up ways to stretch them which kind of helps but not really quite enough. We all have to live with in our boats limitations. Or we can sell and start the process all over again and in another 1 or 2 seasons say the same things.

As for your problem I personally would not put a bracket on a 18 footer just not enough boat.
What I would do is forget the under the deck live well and put a above deck live well in front of the CC or get rid of your leaning post and get a live well with leaning post combined small enough that fits. You probably can only fit something 20-25 gal. That should get you by for another 1-3 seasons before “the itch” a bigger boat gets a hold of you again.


FellowShip

………………………

Just for the Grins

Official Antique Classic SeaCraft Owner

[1Step]

Thanks for the replies guys.
Ken, I'm actually going backwards on my boats, having gone from a 23' boat to the 18. I'm fortunate that I have freinds with bigger boats that usually need a crew member or two to go deep on. I fish nearshore and some of the shallow reefs in our area in the 18 with no more than another person, 2 at the most.
It's not it's size so much (it's big for an 18) it's the convience factor of having bait above deck and water not always on the floor.
Upgrading the leaning post to a combo would probably be cheaper in the long run.
I'll check out Herms site.

[small45]

well the bracket for my '75 18' is leaving today(i think) from Hermco...so within the next ten years i should be able give a review on it

i've discovered that i can move my fuel tank about 22" foward of it's present location which will hopefully get me closer to self bailing when combined with raising the floor by 3/4". we shall see

[Old'sCool]

Where are the pics of this project??

[small45]

Not sure who the question is directed at, but as soon as my wife gets to work downloading pics i'll start a thread on mine.

[1Step]

I think you small, I'd love to see them as well.
I've posted what I've done so far but mine are only additions/mods, no rebuilds.