Re: Build a Transom Bracket
I have a 25' Apollo cuddy, with a hardtop. It had an old OMC 235 I/O stringer, which I am no longer interested in taking a chance it will fail...as the engineering is close to 40 years old.<br /><br />My plan is to use fiberglass and plywood, utilizing the flotation style bracket, and figure out a way to add a series of internal braces inside the bracket. Aluminum intitially sounded like the ticket when I first began the design, but if welds are not done properly...which I would not have control over...then I would be concerned about my investment hanging off the back. <br /><br />Tieing the plywood together, prior to a mat/woven/mat/etc. layering, is where I am specifically looking for help. I understand the process of rabbeting, but feel maybe some aluminum angle would be more appropriate.<br /><br />I am also trying to figure out mounting height of the transom bracket, which if you follow the rule of thumb...1" per foot of setback...leads me to hang the bracket appropriately higher. My concern is mounting it too high. As you know, you can always raise an O/B, but to lower it past the motor mount on the bracket, would require me to cut it...don't want to do that. Also considered an adjustable motor bracket...not hydraulic...but at least offers me a lot more flexibility with mounting my transom bracket.<br /><br />I am looking for help from people that have done this before, so I can gauge my engineering. I have a habit of over-engineering, which in this case, will just add weight. But if I know of someone that built a transom bracket a certain way, and are having no problems with and equivalent sized motor, I will then know how much plywood, how many layers of fiberglass, and what kind of internal bracing will handle my Suzuki...of course add a little extra, just to be safe.
