Bracket on a 20 MA questions

[Bushwacker]

. . I think I would leave the motor well open (like in the picture) and I have the original spash well so it should keep out water and if I was just going to swiming and barbeque and such I could take it out.

But sounds like either way would work if I can find a 20" shaft engine in good shape...

I would not put a 20" motor on a bracket; powerhead will be too close to the water. Get a 5" extension kit instead like Fred H did on his. I think they're available for most motors.

One advantage I noticed with bracket is that it increases your trim range. It shifts CG aft so it's pretty easy to get a lot of the bow out of the water; can probably pick up 2-3 mph top end that way. I can run almost 50 mph with top down and full tank of gas with just me in the boat. However the longer shaft and/or leverage of the bracket seems to make the power trim much more effective at controlling running angle, so I can also trim the bow down and plane at 12 mph for a soft ride in rough seas. I just use the tabs for lateral trim and adjust running angle with engine trim.

Hermco has a version of the bracket with just a covering board for the cutout which you could use to avoid filling the transom. Here's a shot of the Hermco bracket with the big flotation tub plus a couple of ideas for what you can do with the splashwell.

[eggsuckindog]

Here's my take - use a 25" motor to keep the PH higher away from the water as BW stated - you could leave the notch in the transom just use a fold down transom door - kinda like the 23 Sceptre has on top of the splashwell - would make entering and exit easier.

Go to Scream & Fly - tons of parts avaiable over there and lots of 20" motors and mid's cheap. Most have no use for stock mid's so there cheap and use a drop on PH maybe. I ran into the same issue, 20" motors are hard to find in the pleasure arena but 20" mids over there are cheap

[jorgeinmiami]

I think I'm going with the bracket and the 25" engine
Why go thru the effort of getting a 20" and then locating the mid section and having put on.
It's either a EFI Merc or Yami in the 150 to 200 range
E Tech's are out of the budget for now.
I'm going to take my time and locate a used bracket, have it put on with Hydralic steering and in the new year look for the engine.

If any one has any specs for the bracket I should be looking for I would appreciate it

Now I need the Admiral to release the funds

[fdheld34]

Denny (Bushwacker)still love thos pics of your Seafari..lookin to get back into a Seacraft SOON!!!!so we can meet up again..Maddie is with her new owners up in GA..that is another story though!!

Jorge...if you look for a used bracket make sure it is a flotation bracket (dont waste your money on anything else..or you wil be customizing etc to make it float)..might want to give Don a call and ask him questions!!!! Also, like Denny (Bushwacker) said...you can buy an extension kit for a lower unit to convert to 25" shaft(gives you more options) I ran a 135 V6 Merc on my 20" transom...and down the road had Don install hermco bracket and got extension kit off of ebay brand new for $160. Also many 20" shafts are on bass boats and have no corrosion..like my 135..I had plenty of power and top end speed, and the motor was light as heck!!. Regarding rigging..run rigging through top of bracket..gives you more room to walk total bracket without stepping or tripping over holes
Good Luck
-Fred H
oh here are some pics too!!!
for old times sake

[jorgeinmiami]

Thanks for the input and I love the look of yours

I do plan just to locate a 25" engine thats clean (I may have a line on a 150 yami with less than 75 hrs that the owner wants to repower to a 225) and place it on the bracket I like the way the wires etc... run thru the bracket... it's a much cleaner look.

I was wondering to I have to look for anything special as to the angle of the transom or the height of the bracket I think the wide part I can just measure thats is I locate a used one.

Thanks

[Bushwacker]

. . .I was wondering to I have to look for anything special as to the angle of the transom or the height of the bracket I think the wide part I can just measure thats is I locate a used one.

Transom angle needs to match yours - can't remember if it's 14 or 17 degrees, but there are directions on Hermco site on how to measure it using a carpenter's square. Denny