Transom height for SC20 Master Angler

[Chaser]

Originally Posted by eggsuckindog

Frankly with all the other stuff and a good transom I would leave that until later. I have a MA with a 20" transom and a 200 merc @ 410lbs. My PO has put 2 5" starboard splash guards either side of the engine and I have only once gotten water over the transom. I also have a factory door that mounts across the splashwell to keep any water in the splashwell as it has 2 1" drains back there - that was the original design. If you look you will see the 1" recess built into the the front of the splashwell that you could easily build a 2 piece hinged door - frankly I have put mine on twice and wished I hadn't bothered.

The original SeaCrafts were offshore boats but with 20" transoms a door across the splashwell was always there - my 18 had one and even the 23 with the large splashwell still had a hinged door. If a wave comes in it goes right back out the scuppers and never enters the cockpit, the 18 fishing West Palm with 3 guys the system worked just fine when getting fish on board with everybody near the stern you'd get waves back there. Those spalsh guards do work well I must say, the boat was used on the east coast but they work great grouper fishing in the gulf too - never put the door on.

Note- There is a bilge access panel back there that MUST be sealed well - only place water can get into the bilge and the cause of most sinkings.

My boat has a couple of stainless splashguards either side of the motor that mount on the transom. There is also a "door" for the forward end of the splashwell but it is not hinged, it is screwed into place and sealed with sealant, or at least it WAS, and will be again when I put the boat back together... The access hatch for the bilge will be well sealed when the boat is put back together.

I'm still set on the 25" transom height. Maybe its just me worrying, but I prefer having the motor further out of the water and having a little more buffer for the waves.

Thanks for the input.

[oldbluesplayer]

Chaser, I redid my 20 ft. Seafari transom a few years back, and because I had a good condition 20" motor, I stayed with the 20" transom. I have been out in the rough more than a few times where I regret that decision. Even in fairly calm conditions, backing down on a fish, I get water over the transom, enough that I ended up building my own splashwell box, a rough copy of the Sea Craft original the guys were talking about.

I'll give you another strong vote for going 25", and would even go 30" if you could do it to the motor.

Seas blow up at funny times, sometimes with un-funny results.

that's my .02, anyways.

Merry Christmas,

Bill