Bracket Project

[1bayouboy]

Hey big....exactly what do you mean by "make the edges sharp on the bottom riding surface". It looks great to me. I like the engine lift out pics....

[Fishjack]

Looking good.. Gotta love that "Classic Rule" Bilge pump..
WOW!

[Bigshrimpin]

My edges are rounded . . . now check out hermco's bracket.


The sharp edges cut/release the water better than round ones.

[1bayouboy]

Those do look good....I see what you mean.

[Bigshrimpin]

Removed the engine mounts and plugged the hole . . . The outer transom skin is almost 1/2" thick, so I matched the thickness when I made the plug on chuck molding table. Inside skin is only 1 layer of mat and 18oz roving . . . Thought that was a little weird, but the wood is still in good shape for being 35 years old.

[Bryan A.]

Nice work. Can't wait to see the bracket on.

[Bigshrimpin]

[1bayouboy]

Looks great Big.....I think that red is Vivid Red...either the
Jamestown Distr gelcoat or the Awlgrip...

[Kahuna]

Big,
Been watching you build this bracket for some time now. You may have stated it early on, adn I missed it, but didn't know unitl recently that it was going on the back of a 20' Seafari. What year is it? 74? Bracket continues to look extremely impressive. Transom plug is pretty slick too. Going to be real interested to see what you do for power on that Seafari, and how it sits in the water (how deep the chine sits in the water at the stern) and the performance #'s you get out of it, and how you like it with the outboard vice teh stern drive you had. I have a 76, Seafari that is in pretty good shape (been indoor rack stored since new, I'm second owner). I like the solid transom option of the outdrive, but motor box obviously has its drawbacks. Have thought about pulling the outdrive and motor box to increase deck space, but would like to see a successfuly completed conversion with performance numbers from some modern avaliable power before I go diving into a project of that magnitude myself. Going to continue to closely monitor your progress and performance. Keep it up!!, looks great!!

[Bigshrimpin]

Kahuna - thanks for the kind words. It's a 1972 hull . . . I'd love to see some pics of your boat. It must be in great shape being stored inside on a rack.

I struggled over the I/O outboard swap . . . and strick talked me into making the bracket. It's taken forever mainly b/c I screwed up a few times, but the bracket is getting sprayed today in my garage.

I'm also really excited to see how the numbers come out with the motors. I have two power options . . . 1980 Merc v150 and a 1979 V200. Both motors are right out of a time capsule (essentially brand new). I swaped the carbs, reeds, and tuner off a Mariner Magnum (same as the XR2 Merc) on the old v150 . . . I'm also going to run the 16 amp setup instead of the original 9 amp. I'm expecting to hit low 40's top end with a 25 - 28 mph cruise (good for the west coast). 150 should save a little $$ on fuel too over the 2.4L motors.

The plan is to fish this year with the engine box and next year tear out the box and free up the back for a nice 30 gallon live well.


Here's some 2.0L 150hp merc numbers on a heavier Wellcraft V20.

3800rpm

4500rpm

5400rpm