Enclosed Transom 170 Model

[boatnamesue]

Has anyone seen or have had experience with an enclosed transom for the 170 model, mid to late 70's?  I'd love to see some pics if you do, or hear your experiences.  Thanks.

[mshugg]

I think that you'd have a problem hewing any kind of bracket on a 170.  It would be to much weight behind the transom and would mess up performance. With that said,raising the transom to 25" and using XL 90 would be close to a full height transom on
The 170. You could maybe go an inch or two higher with a ba(863) jackplate, but I wouldn't mess with it, unless you fish skinny water a lot.

[boatnamesue]

  I think that you'd have a problem hewing any kind of bracket on a 170.  It would be to much weight behind the transom and would mess up performance.

I agree, a mounted stationary bracket would be an excessive motor setback.  But this isn't what I was asking about.  Replacing transom with an original to spec or enclosing the transom, the binding of either to the hull is the same.  If not, please let me know how this differs.  With an enclosed transom, and say using a porta bracket, were talking about offsetting the motor at most 17".  If I was concerned about offsetting the boat's weight distribution too aft using the porta bracket, I could mount the above deck baitwell behind console.  This would counterbalance the added weight in the rear due to the offset motor.  This is all in theory of course.  If I keep my 170 long enough, eventually I'll be replacing transom and will be faced with such a decision.

Thanks for the input.

[mshugg]

Maybe someone who has a porta bracket will chime in, but 17" is a long lever arm for a 17footer.  I don't think anyone has installed one on  a 170.  You might contact porta b.  If anyone has, they should know.

My 170 had an OMC 90 weighing about 300 pounds.  The scuppers were at the water line, and I fished in rubber boots to keep my feet dry.  A four stroke 90 weighs closer to 360.  Add the weight of the porta bracket.  A baitwell aft  of the console is still aft of the center of gravity.  If anything the water weight will sink the transom more  I still think you'll get better performance building the transom up to 25" and hang the motor on the transom or a lightweight jack plate.  How much taller would a full height transom be on the 170 be?  26"?  28"?

[boatnamesue]

I used the porta bracket 17" setback as an example, which is the max extension for their smallest model. It doesn't imply you run with bracket fully extended though. A standard jackplate would setback motor btwn 4"-8" depending on manufacturer.  Setting back motor, to a certain extent, allows prop to pick up "clean" linear flow, thereby enhancing motor performance.  So respectfully I disagree.  Setting back motor on a 170 6"-12" won't poorly effect boat performance.   

I have a 2 stroke 115hp. Dry weight 367lb. My scuppers DO sit below water line at rest.  I keep them plugged. Dry deck.  But even if they were above water line I'd still keep plugged.  Cause a wet deck is what you'll have when coming off plane.  As you experience. 

This is an interesting topic, love to hear others chime in with their thoughts. 

[mshugg]

I hope you get the feedback you''re looking for.  Good luck, and please keep us posted on the results.

[RickK]

The stock 170 in the early days had the fuel tank inside the console - so they kept the COG planning on the lightweight motors of the day.  Around 73/74 they started putting the fuel tank below the deck and the weight of the engines started to rise.    They could compensate for the heavier engine weight and keep the COG in check by sliding the fuel tank forward.
On my rebuild I put the 27gal tank below deck and added a front seat to the console.  Inside the console, under the seat area, I will have 3x 31 series batteries.  The engine (90 Johnson) has hydraulic steering and that takes up 7 1/2" so I added a 6" setback jackplate plus a spacer and a power pole spacer, to accommodate the steering when you tilt the engine.
So the answer is  YES you can do what you want but you better plan to offset the weight somehow.

[boatnamesue]

Good to hear, thanks for chiming in.  Did you notice a difference with the way the boat handled/planed after installing bracket?

[RickK]

I installed a jackplate, not a bracket. I will be finishing up the inside and launching her during my December vacation.