Transom Height

[Rich]

As I work my way through replacing the transom on my 23 I'm debating raising the transom up five inches to make it 30". Has any one done this? What would be the advantages / disadvantages of doing this? Or should I just leave it at 25". I haven't powered the boat yet, and obviously this would determine shaft length. Any problems finding 225 - 250's with 30" shafts?

thanks,

Rich

[Scott]

Hi Rich

I too am debating a transom restore and yes I have a 25" transom. With out doubt if I put the transom together to hang an outboard directly off the boat I will increase it to 30". The benefits I think are obvious and the disadvantages ... well I'm not certain there are any. Now If I do go ahead and rebuild the transom the question is whether I do a full transom and bracket or not. Even with a notch in the transom at 30" I could put on the Potter /Seamark bracket (twin version).

With your situation and not having to build the transom around the shaft length of a motor I would not hesitate to increase its height.... Now’s the time to do it...naturally you will need to do a little more glass work where the 5" addition goes but heck if your ripping out and replacing that should be no problem.

As far as shaft length goes 30" is the common transom height today for notched transoms and you should have no problem with that aspect of the project...the current 23' runs a 30" shaft as to match the transom height. Hope this helps
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[ScottM]

Regarding transom height and transom replacement, has anyone simply added a 5" section to the existing notch to raise the height without actually redoing the entire transom? Our 23' Sceptre originally had a 25" transom but the previous owner cut it down to fit a 20" engine. If we repower, we want to fix the height problem and, at a minimum, put it back to the original height. If, for example, the transom is not structurally compromised and does not require total replacement, can a 5" section be integrated into the existing transom and tied in to the plywood core and fiberglass successfully?

[TonyS]

My 1986 23' has a 30" transom, and I believe the 1980 boats and up have 30" transom. check out the new boats, they use 30" shaft motors. The problem I have is with twin engines, because they need 25" shafts, that I have but, they are not spaced right so they are too high on the transom causing blow out. This I can tell you the splash well has very little water over it. Good Luck

[Animal Chris]

I went from 25" to 30" when I repowered my '76 SF 23 in 80. I went from a single 200 hp w/25" to dual 140's with 25". It was a combination of oak,cut and fitted across the transom, and aluminum plate bolted through the transom. The aluminum overlapped sides about 5" and the bottom about 10". The fellow that did it was a real craftsman and 23 years later, it is still intact. I am in the process of going back to the 25" with a single 225 Yammy. Goo luck and tight lines....Animal Chris

[LITTLEBISHOP]

Hey Animal Chris, I thought once you went up to a 30 transom you were improving the safety of the boat, you say that you are going back to 25? I have a 25 on my 1973 sceptre and I was thinking of building it up. It seems like its not so important after all. What do you think, since you have had it both ways? Thanks Marc