Should or should not that is the question

[Captainkass]

I know this has been asked before but i would appricate an answer anyway, I have a 20 ft Sea Craft and need to get the transom replaced Question is it better to have transom repaired and leave as desinged or enclose transom and put on a bracket, thanks to all who reply [img]/images/graemlins/cool.gif[/img]

[oldbluesplayer]

That is a question a number of us who have 20's have batted around, and there is no clear answer. We've seen a few 20's done with brackets on this page, but don't have the benefit of before / after direct observations from the owners.

What year 20 do you have, and what is the stock transom height, 20 or 25 inch ?

In those other discussions, we surfaced that there appear to be three variations of motor well cut-out width, and some folks have a little concern over water entry thru the splashwell - is that your concern as well, or are you strictly looking at the possibility of performance improvement with the bracket? If you have a wider transom cutout, and redo the transom, you will have the opportunity to reduce the opening size. Also, there are several redo's of 20's, trayders and riffraffs, that did some custom work to the transom interior, improving the rear end design from a point of view of taking water over the stern.

I think if you do decide to go with a bracket, you will want to re-inforce the transom when you do the rebuild, add a couple of knees.

Lot's of choices, no clear answers.

but best wishes - and take pictures !!!

Bill

[Captainkass]

Thanks alot for the reply ive got a few things to think about and will send pics

[kwluis]

I'm going to enclose the transom on my 20 and install a bracket with platform (+ flotation). I'm also going to be installing Bennett hydraulic trim tabs. The plan is to move everything up as far to the front as possible...batteries, oil tanks, etc... I'll be posting update pictures as I am going. So far the list of things is:
Enclosed transom
Hydraulic Steering
Edson wheel
Bennett Hydraulics Tabs
New gas tank
Cut the cap to make it 3 piece construction look
All flush mount/pop up hardware
Lee gunnel rod holders

If I get to the transom part before you, I'll let you know how it goes. Unfortunately, I think it is going to take me at least 6 months to get everything done. [img]/images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img] Wishful thinking on my part.

Luis

[Ryan]

i say it depends on what you want the boat to do. If you are only a fisherman raise the transom to 25 and configure the transom layout to your taste. I personally would like to have the bracket for diving, skiing,and sandbar for the ease of getting in and out of the boat. Also I like to take the dogs swimming and a bracket setup makes that easier. If you are going bracket you will need as much flotaion in the chamber as possible. Seamark is the bracket of choice, but it is a little pricey last time i checked. I have a 73 20 that i was going to raise the deck 2.5 and add a bracket with a full closed transom, basically build my idea of what a current 20 should be, but as i started to add up the costs it just was too expensive. I would give my vote to going with the bracket, but as said before we dont get much feedback from the few guys that have shown us their bracketed 20s

[Ikan Besar]

There are valid arguments for both sides of the equation. This is one decision that you will probably have to come to a conclusion on based on your own needs and aesthetic preferences.

Bracketing a 20' doesn't have quite the seemingly clear consensus that bracketing a 23' does.

Good luck on your choice.

[Captainkass]

Thanks to all who answered i really have a lot to take in so thanks again, [img]/images/graemlins/cool.gif[/img] PS this is the best site on the world wide web.

[strick]

I think you will probably be ok with the bracket as long as you install trim tabs and be conscious of your weight distrubution when you put the boat back together.

strick