Looking to close transom and add a bracket onto my boat

[joe p]

Any advice will help here. Have been working on my boat for about 4 years now and I think I'm coming to and end here (if that's possible!!) loll does anyone have any experience putting a Armstrong bracket, dusky drive or anything similar to their 19'6. I spoke with the guys at Armstrong yesterday and they say they don't like to put brackets on boats less than 20' because they say it'll cause the boat to porpoise.. I've seen a couple 17 and 19'6 with brackets installed. How did you guys go about doing it? I'm already running tabs and a jack plate. Having trouble uploading photo of my boat on here so if any pointers on that will help as well!!

Thanks!
Joe

[Capt. Bob]

Light reading.
http://classicaquasport.com/smf/index.php?topic=12725.0

Talk to this member:
http://classicaquasport.com/smf/index.php?topic=11612.msg116379#msg116379

Good luck.

[Blue Agave]

Questions for you;

1) You stated working on boat for 4 years, complete rebuild?
2) Did you shift weight forward?  If not boat will porpoise with bracket.
3) Did you raise the floor 2 inches or more?
4) Do you intend to keep the jackplate?  If so, make sure bracket setback is 24" or less.
5) How do you intend to power her, HP?  2-stroke or 4-stroke?

[joe p]

Questions for you;

1) You stated working on boat for 4 years, complete rebuild?
2) Did you shift weight forward?  If not boat will porpoise with bracket.
3) Did you raise the floor 2 inches or more?
4) Do you intend to keep the jackplate?  If so, make sure bracket setback is 24" or less.
5) How do you intend to power her, HP?  2-stroke or 4-stroke?

Thanks for the reply,

I uploaded a few pics so you can get an idea

1) I never did completely rebuild topside (no soft spots)  however I put a new gas tank, re-nonskid  and a sort of custom half tower job, and all new electronics. Rebuilt transom last year just didn't fill whole transom (which I'm doing now).

2) did not raise raise the floor on her. Is that necessary or just for the self bailing pros? Sounds like a whole other can of worms haha

3) as far as weight shifted forward I didn't move my gas tank up at all but, my batteries and where my weight sits on the boat and passenger seating has been moved up.

4) jack plate can go if it has to. Only time I find myself using it is when idling in skinny water. Tilt & tabs when planing over skinny stuff.

5) gonna keep same engine 2015 mercury 150 4 stroke which was lightest that year. Somewhere between 450-465 if I remember right.

[joe p]

[joe p]

All the pics I have on me now

[Blue Agave]

Shifting weight forward is critical. Moving 470 lbs of outboard 24 to 30 inches off the transom is going to affect the balance of the boat. It could work out fine or it could porpoise a lot. I have an  Armstrong with a 30" setback on my 19'6" that was a complete rebuild. The fuel tank and console were moved forward. Originally had a 200 2-stroke and the only time it wanted to porpoise was when it was slick calm, ran great if there was some chop and air got under the hull. Repowered to the new Mercury 150 4-stroke, 470 lbs, which is 35 lbs heavier than the 2-stroke and it seems to want to porpoise a bit more but nothing that tabs can't handle. Regarding the floor, only reason I asked was it may cause wet feet.  You can keep the jackplate but I would not recommend a 30" setback.  If you do 30" setback and keep the JP that will put your motor 36" off the transom. Another thing to consider is the weight of the jackplate.  If you are in the Tampa Bay Area and would like to see my setup I'd be glad to show the boat. Good luck.

[joe p]

Appreciate the info man! Yeah I live right in tarpon springs so I may set up something with you one day n take a look at your setup.

[Blue Agave]

Your boat looks great, what's top speed, cruise speed, fuel burn?  Does the rigging come into the port side of the motor?  Seems to by the photo. I have the same motor and my rigging comes into the starboard side of the motor. Wish mine came in on the port.