19-1 Musings

[RickK]

And plan on throwing out the chain or maybe two when done.  Fiberglass is tough stuff.

[RickK]

Haven't had much.  Seems it was all south of us.

[gran398]

Definitely beautiful!! What would really be deluxe would be twin 50's on an Armstrong swim platform/bracket with dive ladder and numerous Aquasport spokesmodels! :flower:

[RickK]

I had a thought today  and it was after having a conversation with Scott (Gran) about twins.  Maybe I should run twin 50's on the back with a Porta. :bounce: ..That would look and be different

Twin portas? That would definitely be a challenge to control - imagine all the controls... not to mention the costs of the portas.
It would definitely be different looking though  

[gran398]

All kidding aside....we had the pleasure of a very nice invitation from Nando (Blue Agave) a few weeks back on his 19-6 " Ole Blue". The 22 inch Armstrong bracket really was an excellent install. Boarding ladder...big platform...you boarded from the port side. Once you got situated, just sit on the closed transom, swing your butt around 180 degrees....you're in the boat. Really added a lot of convenience and usable space. Plus she ran longer than 19-6.

And once you run twins....you'll never go back

[gran398]

Another plus...Armstrong Brackets have closed-cell foam flotation. You could step up to the new sweet Yammie four stroke 70's....only eight pounds heavier than the 60's and 50's




#257 each

[wingtime]

yeah I have to say that Armstrong bracket set up on Ole Blue is deluxe!  What guy doesn't dream about having twins!  

[Capt. Bob]

Another plus...Armstrong Brackets have closed-cell foam flotation.

Interesting.
This is so that it won't sink if it separates from the transom?

[gran398]

Another plus...Armstrong Brackets have closed-cell foam flotation.

Interesting.
This is so that it won't sink if it separates from the transom?

Absolutely! The whole mess just floats off, clip a float ball to it, you're golden.

But sleep on it overnight with a 12 gauge so the salvagers won't steal it

[Capt. Bob]

I ran an aluminum full bracket/platform on my CCP. I often wondered if the bracket itself would float (with the mounting holes sealed of course). It too was marketed as "positive floatation" with its sealed air chamber but I never felt comfortable with that hype. I'm a bracket fan but I would really like to see numbers that supported (pun intended) the buoyancy of the bracket itself and how much weight a particular bracket design could offset. I realize it's not designed to support the total weight of the engine(s) but I'd be curious as to just how much.

I didn't realize they had foam in them. That doesn't make sense to me since it would reduce it's total buoyancy.

It might make it float with the motor (stops water from filling the chamber) but I'd think the motor would turn turtle on ya.

Good luck

[kaptainkoz]

I would think the foam is to displace water for when and if they will eventually leak water. There are 12 bolt holes and a cover plate on mine. Eventually the vibration could breech a seal and let water into the bracket. My buddies 24 ft Grady leaks water into the bracket. It's not something that you are going to easily unbolt and reseal. The foam is a precaution that will at least displace most of the water that could leak in.

[Capt. Bob]

Mine was empty and had a drain on the bottom. I'd guess most of what little water got in during a trip came through the access plate on top. If it sat in the rain (on the trailer) for a few days, I'd find water in the air space. Never a whole lot though.

[wingtime]

Unless that is something new Armstrong brackets don't have foam in them.  Just a sealed chamber.   Keep in mind that for every cubic foot of water displaced you gain 64lbs of buoyancy.  So I doubt you will gain enough for the bracket and motors to float but you will definitely gain enough to help offset a heavier four stroke.

[gran398]

Unless that is something new Armstrong brackets don't have foam in them.  Just a sealed chamber.   Keep in mind that for every cubic foot of water displaced you gain 64lbs of buoyancy.  So I doubt you will gain enough for the bracket and motors to float but you will definitely gain enough to help offset a heavier four stroke.

You are correct Bruce and CB, don't know why I thought it was foamed....guess misunderstood Nando.....it has "positive flotation" in the form of a sealed internal chamber(#2).  Sorry, my bad. The good news is it does aid in lifting the arse end at rest.

So CB, reckon yours was sealed in a similar fashion

[Capt. Bob]

So CB, reckon yours was sealed in a similar fashion

Same thing exactly, so to speak.
The "sealed" is again a marketing tool. The bracket will function exactly the same with the access plate removed (think jon boat) but of course you want to keep as much water out as possible.

I like brackets, especially full ones. As gran stated, they provide a great ingress/egress to the boat, not only for swimming/diving but fishing also. The under platform ladder is nice and they are the American answer to the U-r-peein' (for both genders) transom.