notched transom

[tangofniro]

I know I ask more question than I answer but here is another one.
Has anyone ever considered going to a notched transom instead of bracket after the transom has been closed in from an inboard?

thanks

[FELLOW-SHIP]

This is one of those personal preference things again. My boat way set up for outboard when I bought it and I kept the notched type design instead of using a add on bracket. Money, time, effort, did not play any part of my decision personal preference was the real issue here. I like the notch design for a few reasons just like others like brackets for their reasons. For me access to the back of the boat primary for fishing is a real plus looks of the finished boat is another for me. The only brackets I really like is those on the newer boats like contender and others that build the boat that way. I whish I knew how and had the expertise to build a uni bracket when I did my transom I might have gone that way if I knew how and or if I could buy something that could been added on that would look like part of the boat instead of a add on after thought.
Fellow-ship [img]images/icons/cool.gif[/img]

[FELLOW-SHIP]

I know I didn’t really answer your question with my answer above I thought a new post would be the best way. If you just filled in the old hole with new filler instead of re placing the entire plywood transom the support for doing a notch transom might be to weak for the engine weight and torque but if you did replace all the plywood why not. Just have to cut up the back transom wall to accommodate the motor.
Fellow-ship [img]images/icons/rolleyes.gif[/img]

[Billybob]

I would say no, unless possibly if you have to redo the whole transom anyway.I have the notched transom, with the big splashwell and I'm really not too concerned about taking water over the notch it happens all day long and flows right out.But if you go to a notch, you would have to build a splashwell and it does take up some cockpit space, so the logical thing to do would be to bracket.But Fellow-ship makes good points, I too like the look of the notched transom, and I like keeping the boat as "stock" as I can.Plus the bracket and motor do stick out farther when trying to fish around the stern.So if you feel strongly about a notch , and are willing to do the work you can do it - but not many do.

[SECF3114M73J]

I used to own a 22 ft. HiLiner. When I bought the boat it had an O.M.C. outdrive. After a couple of years I got tired of break downs. I junked the outdrive and Chevy V8, notched and reinforced the transom, put in a removable splash gate, raised the deck 3" ,and made the boat self bailing. Big improvement. I did this in '77, got a good deal on a leftover '76 175 Merc.(first year for the V6 BlackMax). A freind of mine bought the boat in '84 when I moved up to my SeaCraft. After a half dozen repowers the boat is still going strong.

[ February 13, 2003, 09:40 AM: Message edited by: SECF3114M73J ]

[RAHIM NAHIM]

FELLOW-SHIP, I WILL BE POSTING A PICK OF MY 73 WITH A B-BRACKET AND IT LOOKS SWEET PLUS IF YOU LIKE BLUE WATER IT'S A PLUS, B-BRACKETS GET YOU HIGHER TOP END LOWER FUEL CONSUMPTION 3-4INCHES LESS DRAFT AT REST OR RUNNING.AND IT IMPROVES THE SEACRAFT SELF BAILING WHEN YOU GET A WAVE INTO THE BOAT.

[Mark]

In this thread the notion of self bailing keeps coming up. It would seem that there are two approaches to this: either raise the floor a few inches or put the engine(s) on a floatation bracket.

If you don't mind the look of a bracket on a 19'6" boat, that may be easier than redoing a floor (although not cheaper). If you prefer the look of a stock 20'CC, notch the transom and hang an engine in the notch with a raised floor.

I considered the bracket route, as did several others that are completely redoing boats on this site. If I had a 23' I would probably bracket, but I personally find brackets on the 20's .....well, maybe my arms are too short to fish around a bracket. I guess beauty is in the eye of the beholder.

As mentioned above, this is where it gets into the realm of personal preference. Either option will work out fine.

[Reel Smoker]

I installed a bracket on my 23. Performance wise it runs much better.Alot more room. A livewell that actually works,etc. But, Im looking for a project 20 that I will keep the motor on the transom and custom build a shroud over the motor.

[tangofniro]

20ft is what I am trying to decide on. Still trying to justify the bracket to myself.
Thanks guys [img]images/icons/frown.gif[/img]