A bracket for 25" 150hp on 20' CC- Pros & Cons?

[captinseafood]

Hey everyone. I'm seeking advice on adding a transom bracket to my 1974 Potter 20' CC. I have to do the whole rehab this fall: replace the WHOLE deck, mod the rails and replace the fuel tank. I did the transom 2 years ago but now since I'm re-powering (great deal on 150 Ocean Runner) with a long shaft I have to mod the transom as it is for a short shaft. Since I'm cutting the deck up any way I'd like to re-do the transom with no cut out and add a bracket. Here are my biggest questions:
-Can I glass in ply over the cut out? Strong enough or do I have to re build the whole transom solid?
-What is the way to go- Glass bracket or Aluminum tube style?
-Are trim tabs necessary with a bracket?
Thanks in advance for any info!

[Bigshrimpin]

-Can I glass in ply over the cut out? Strong enough or do I have to re build the whole transom solid?

*** Since the cut out area is not structural . . . you can glass over ply to fill the open transom.


-What is the way to go- Glass bracket or Aluminum tube style?

Either is fine . . . Fiberglass won't pit or corrode like aluminum. You will want a flotation bracket regardless of the material it's made out of.

-Are trim tabs necessary with a bracket?

Absolutely . . . without any question!!


Also . . . if you are redoing the floor and replacing the fuel tank, move the tank as far as possible toward the bow. The bracket makes the bow of these boats very light.

[captinseafood]

Right on. Thanks for the response. After reading a bunch of the threads on this site, I have a better idea of what the whole project will entail... I'll try to post what I start with. I'm planning on starting a mold for a bracket this week. MDF like the one the Almighty Strick did. His threads kick ass! God my eyes hurt from reading so much INTERNERD......

[Bigshrimpin]

Just an FYI - making a bracket costs $500+ in materials using Polyester, marine ply core/stringers and 1708. It'll take 3 - 4 weeks to complete if you throw a lot of free time at it. If you have time and don't mind traveling . . . you can occasionally find used brackets for $600 - $1000 on ebay and craigslist and for 2K you can pickup a hermco.

[workinpr0gress]

It's a shame you can't run on one to even see if you want the bracket....Some don't like them, some are all for it for various reasons..... I will say that if you were to do it you have a very light compact motor in mind, and that is a big factor. I'd love to get a nice 175 of that same block at a decent price..I'm sure if you've been searching posts you can see all the opinions, discussion, modifications...For me the good far out weigh the bad. I have a simple setup with a fairly light motor and no tabs and I love it.

[makade]

I was wondering if anybody knows how the weights compare say hermco vs armstrong.

[Ryan]

not sure on the weights but the big advantage to the hermco is the larger chamber.

[SBD]

FYI- you can get an Armstrong with a big chamber as well.

[makade]

I was ordering a deckhatch from armstrong a few months ago and while I had the guy on the phone I asked about bracket pricing, etc. One of the things he said was their brackets are much lighter than the fiberglass ones. Was wondering if there really is much of a difference.

[SBD]

I just installed a wide body Armstrong with an 80 inch swim platform and the bracket was not heavy. Two guys could easily hold it in place. It probably weighed 70-80 pounds???

That said we got lazy and hung it from a forklift cause we had one!