Re: Transom bracket on an 18' boat?
curapa,
no 18' is not too small for an engine cantilever or stern bracket, but due to the relatively small size of the boat, the engine may be dunked more than if were on the main transom.
In a following sea the engine's wt will keep the stern down a little longer than a transom mounted engine because the wt is farther aft and that makes the lever on the boat a little longer/stronger. So as the wave or swell overtakes the hull the engine is not lifted at the same time as the wave reaches the engine; instead its a few seconds later when that level of the wave reaches the hull's transom where there is enough buoyancy to lift the engine and hull.
You can put a bracket on anything that floats but the gain is proportional to the hull size, engine size and bracket displacement versus length from the main hull.
Cheers,
Kevin Morin
