Is anyone an expert on transom brackets?

[Captain Jaxon]

I bought a 1974 Reinell 24' boat. It has a hard top with fly-bridge. I tore the inside down to the foam and replaced. I made alterations to the inside layout and cockpit, raised the hardtop up about 14" as I am 6'4" tall and want to be able to stand up in the thing. My goal is to make it comfortable for fishing and camping with my family. Now to the question: I am converting it to an outboard and would really appreciate some detailed advice on how to build the transom bracket and how much beefing-up the transom needs. The bracket that I want to build will span the full width of the transom like a swim deck. I am thinking that I will need about a 250 h.p. size outboard.
Thanks for any advice,
Jaxon

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: Is anyone an expert on transom brackets?

Well, it has been done here but not sure people made their own brackets. We have seen mixed results.

 

[ondarvr]

Re: Is anyone an expert on transom brackets?

You didn't say what material you want to build it out of, fiberglass, aluminum, stainless steel. Some pics would help and so would a good description of the work you've already done. You mentioned replacing the foam, but did that also include new stringers and transom?

 

[Captain Jaxon]

Re: Is anyone an expert on transom brackets?

Hey, thanks for the response! I actually only replaced foam in the back maybe two feet of the boat, That was where she was rotten. The decking was the worst and the foam was wet, but the fibeglass was fine. I did re-build the transom. I tore off the old plywood, then laminated a new sheet of 3/4" plywood. I squished 3 layers of fiberglass mat in between plywood and transom. I "squoze" (I think that's a word??) the plywood with some 2x6 brackets and lag bolts. I must have gotten pretty good pressure because resin squished out of a couple hair-line cracks in the transom, I didn't know they were there. I think I will need another layer of plywood on the transom? As for the stringers, it only had partials where the old Chevy mounted. I took those out and just re-glassed the bilge. I plan on making the bracket out of aluminum. I will send some pictures when I can get my wife to help me, we had a new addition to the family about two weeks ago so, she has been sleeping in a little. Again, thanks for the help!
Jaxon

 

[Captain Jaxon]

Re: Is anyone an expert on transom brackets?

Here are the photos. I haven't actually glassed the bilge like I said before I wanted to wait until I know how much more transom work I have to do before I finish that part.
Jaxon

 

[Revenge]

Re: Is anyone an expert on transom brackets?

If you don't mind me asking why do you want to convert over?

 

[Captain Jaxon]

Re: Is anyone an expert on transom brackets?

I want the cockpit space for fishing. Seems like there is never enough room in a boat no matter what the size. My original intent was to just keep the I/O, so I lifted the cockpit deck about 12" to lessen the height of the dog house. When I saw all the extra compartments for storage and live-well, my mind was made up.

 

[jonesg]

Re: Is anyone an expert on transom brackets?

http://boston.craigslist.org/sob/boa/1862025688.html

http://boston.craigslist.org/nos/boa/1861487048.html

http://boston.craigslist.org/sob/boa/1859852871.html

 

[nofuss]

Re: Is anyone an expert on transom brackets?

I would support what JonesG was hinting, there are a lot of good brackets out there, no need to reinvent the wheel. look on ebay and craigs list. it would save you a lot over building one, even if you can do the welding yourself. and you can either get them with the swim platform made on, or install one yourself. I put a fiberglass platform on my aluminum bracket.
I also prefer the brackets that are a completely sealed box as opposed to the one that is just the pipes, as they add flotation to compensate for the additional stern load in the resting position.
and it seems like you have the right idea with the transom, you would obviously need the second ply laminate, and i would suggest some knees supporting the transom to the bottom of the hull and probably even the sides. that adds a measure of stiffness, and results in a better job.
Also remember, that it is a good idea to use an aluminum plate or 2 pieces on the inside of the transom, so when you install the knees ensure clearance for this is considered.
Also when mounting it do not just mount it level with the bottom of the boat. as another guy on one of these forums wanted to do. it has to be mounted at a height such that the engine is as high as possible yet getting enough water for cooling intake and for prop drive. the exact height is determined by the bracket design and engine choice.
However it is important to get this height right.
Let us know how it goes `

No Fuss

 

[Captain Jaxon]

Re: Is anyone an expert on transom brackets?

Yeah you guys are right it would probably be about a wash especially if I can find one that fits. The finding one that fits is part of where I am needing some help. What I was thinking was that the bracket would have a plate the full width of the transom, so that the load would be forced out to the corners rather than somewhere short of that. Do you guys have an opinion on what type of bracket I should look for. I agree with Nofuss about the sealed compartment type, that was the sort that I was thinking about. What about the kind that are an extension of the keel. I have heard that they can throw the balance of your boat off, that you may need to move your fuel tank forward. Maybe with a good set of trim tabs it wouldn't matter so much?

 

[Revenge]

Re: Is anyone an expert on transom brackets?

Yeah you guys are right it would probably be about a wash especially if I can find one that fits.

Dang! I was hoping you were going to fabricate one.

I?ve been throwing around the idea of making the swap myself, even been thinking about designing a bracket. It doesn't look like rocket sceince, but going with a proven product isn't a bad idea either.

Where do you plan on putting the drain on your transom?

 

[jonesg]

Re: Is anyone an expert on transom brackets?

Yeah you guys are right it would probably be about a wash especially if I can find one that fits. The finding one that fits is part of where I am needing some help. What I was thinking was that the bracket would have a plate the full width of the transom, so that the load would be forced out to the corners rather than somewhere short of that. Do you guys have an opinion on what type of bracket I should look for. I agree with Nofuss about the sealed compartment type, that was the sort that I was thinking about. What about the kind that are an extension of the keel. I have heard that they can throw the balance of your boat off, that you may need to move your fuel tank forward. Maybe with a good set of trim tabs it wouldn't matter so much?

The idea is to transfer the load of the bracket into the hull and stringers, a 1 1/2" transom is a must , thru bolt to angle brackets on the stringers.
Gut instinct tells me a transom-wide plate isn't good design.

Floatation brackets compensate for engine weight shifting rearward , that seems a good idea.

This guy mfgers them.
Some good info on his site.
www.hermco.com

To mold your own with 13deg angle on both mounting faces.
HE starts building the mold from MDF board halfway down the page,
post # 49322

"The mold is made of 5/8" mdf. It's stapled together with 1" staples. There is a 13 degree angle front and back which is what Tim and I measured from the boat's transom when we built his bracket. The inside of the mold was coated with iso-polyester resin. Once that dried it was sanded with 220 grit.

I then waxed the mold 4 times with partall paste. You got to let the partall dry (about 10 min) then wipe the mold with a clean rag after each application. This makes it nice and slippery inside. Partall reccommends using a turkish towel to wipe down the mold. I used an old Italian white tee shirt. The gray stuff is a heavy coat of duratec sanding primer. While that was still slightly tacky I began laying down matt.

The corners got 2 layers of 4 inch matt tape. Then I started laying down the heavy 2 ounce matt. There is 2 layers of 2 ounce matt over the entire mold including overlapping in the corners. 1708 six inch tape is applied to all the corners first. Then 1708 sheets are applied over the entire mold. There are some good books out there that describe how to lay up a mold. I did not count how many layers of 1708 that I applied. I just kept going till I got the desired thickness I was looking for. 5/16"-3/8" thick all the way around. The corners are about 5/8" thick. I used 5 gallons of resin so far not drop more or less. This weekend I hope to install the transom, stringers, and upper ledge and then I can pop it out of the mold to see what it looks like. "
http://www.classicseacraft.com/foru...7&page=0&view=collapsed&sb=5&o=&fpart=13&vc=1

 

[Captain Jaxon]

Re: Is anyone an expert on transom brackets?

Well thanks for the ideas and web sites. I am going to have to make up my mind and go with it. As for "Revenge's" question on where to put the drain, If I decide to build a keel extension type, the drain will be in the same place at the bottom of the bilge and will drain into the bracket and out the back. If I use a smaller bracket, there will be a gap from the drain to the bottom of the bracket, so it will be in the same place. I hope I answered that correctly?? I will let you guys know when I make up my mind, and send some pictures. Any other thoughts are welcome.
Jaxon

 

[nofuss]

Re: Is anyone an expert on transom brackets?

Jaxon,

one of the main advantages of the extension bracket is the fact that it creates an extension to the hull, without the increased friction of the added length in the water, so going to a keel extension may not be a good idea. I myself have never seen an actual keel extension bracket and down here is outboard country. some of the brackets are designed with the same v shape of the boat bottom, but they are often quite a few inches above the hul line when mounted to the boat. as such the drain plug remains in the same place. the plate as wide as the boat is not a regular occurrence. the bracket is usually just a little wider than the engine itself. Sometimes there is a platform made on to the bracket but there is usually some small space along the contact points between the actual bracket mounting points and the edge of the platform. some are mounted and then like mine the platform is just mounted to the top of the bracket, and not to the hull in any way.
I am not sure of the cost of fiberglass in your area, however a friend of mine made a bracket out of fiberglass and shortly after i was considering using the same mold for another one and found a used bracket for half what it cost to make the fiberglass one. and they are more available in the usa than here.

 

[steve riddell]

Re: Is anyone an expert on transom brackets?

Hi can you send me pictures of how you raised the hardtop
thanks Stever

 

[Captain Jaxon]

Re: Is anyone an expert on transom brackets?

Lifting the hardtop.

 

[Revenge]

Re: Is anyone an expert on transom brackets?

Gut instinct tells me a transom-wide plate isn't good design.

Why do you say that?



Floatation brackets compensate for engine weight shifting rearward , that seems a good idea.

How much floatation can a bracket provide? Is it feasible to float a 500lbs motor?

Thanks in advance, Don.

 

[Captain Jaxon]

Re: Is anyone an expert on transom brackets?

Nofuss,
In my part of the country, alot of the aluminum boats have a hull extension that is actually a mirror of the keel. I don't know the reason for this, but yesterday I found a website that was very helpful,http://dadmarine.com/. They position the bracket 3 inches above the keel like you are saying. Like I said, I don't know why the difference, could be a drag issue or something?? Luckily I have plenty of other things to take up my time on the boat right now, because there are alot of good ideas out there and I like giving it time to hear different opinions. Keep 'em comin'.
Jaxon

 

[Captain Jaxon]

Re: Is anyone an expert on transom brackets?

Revenge,
You mentioned that you wanted to convert your boat over. Do you have some plans on building the bracket? I think I am going to go ahead and build my own. I live in a pretty rural place and I haven't had much luck with the classifieds that are within reasonable distance. If I had to have one shipped and the thing was wrong for some reason, that just makes me uneasy.
Jaxon

 

[Revenge]

Re: Is anyone an expert on transom brackets?

No plans as of yet. I would love the challenge, but my I/O may still have some life? I really would like to follow you through the process if you do?

What type of material would you make it out of, and what do you think it would cost?