22.2 With a Bracket? Good, Bad or, Ugly?

[Radioshop]

Assuming you were to rip the old water susceptable foam floatation out (and replace it) anyway, what's the consensus on closing transoms and, installing a bracket?  I notice the 22.2 knock offs ie, Gause, Sabalo and, Schaeffer all seem to offer their boats with closed transoms and, brackets.  I'd sort of like to do this at some point and, build a livewell/rigging station into the transom.

[Wilson]

The results, generally, are good.  I have seen it done with several older 222s.  It helps if you try correct slightly, by doing things like moving the gas tank forward, putting a bait well somewhere other than the transom, and having coolers forward.  

When the balance is right, the results are very good.  I will post some pix of one asap.

[captin.kid]

Assuming you were to rip the old water susceptable foam floatation out (and replace it) anyway, what's the consensus on closing transoms and, installing a bracket?

What is the prob with the foam??? I have a 1979 200 ccp and have foam all in it. Do I need to pull it out???

[Anonymous]

I have an 81' with closed transom and now a twin bracket.  I love it.  Not much foam left in mine.  Rides great regardless of weight distribution ie. coolers, livewells and people.  LOA comes out around 30' with the bracket and bow pulpit.

[Radioshop]

Captain.Kid,
The older foams have a tendancy to take on water and, never really dry out.   Rising water lines are usually a dead giveaway of this condition.

[kev-n-tim]

What type of foam would you use to replace the water logged foam. I am stripping out a 1969 19'. I am closing in the transom and will be mounting a D&D marine bracket. I have to replace the deck so I figured I might as well re-foam the stringers.

[Wilson]

I might put foam in the stringers, but I don't think its necessary.  That 222 that I posted pix of has none in it after the rehab.  I put 2# in mine just for rigidity, but I feel it was completely unessesary as well.  I may regret it in the end.  

To answer your question 2#or 4# density should be fine.

[ddd222]

if weight distribution is a consideration, i would definately install tabs in order to put the bow at the correct attitude. I also wondered about a bracket, might give  a few extra square feet of fishabilty.

[DEFIANT]

I read a post on another web site that had a major discussion about the safety of a full transom center console type boats. There was a major concern that in the event of swamping with waves the ability to quickly shed the water on the deck can be severly deminished! A cut out transom will allow alot of the water to run out the back.

A few years ago I took a major cheap shot running out an inlet. The waves were tight and steep! My stern was up and my bow was down when a major wave broke over the bow! The cockpit of my 222 ccp was flooded. I was lucky and able to turn around befor a second wave hit me. I hit the throttle and some of the water ran out over the transom, the rest drained through the scuppers, but it took awhile. Even with the boat on plane.

After my rebuild, my scuppers now drain straight through the transom. This way they don't end up clogged with dipseys and the flappers on the outside keep the deck dry when standing in the back of the boat.

With a full transom be sure to allow for alot of deck drainage. Also don't be a knuclehead like me and hit the inlet on a bad day!

I must say a full transom with a bracket sure looks good!