bracketed

1bayouboy · #1 10-05-2006, 07:40 PM

My Tsunami currently has a Stainless Marine twin bracket on it without swim platforms. I really want a twin with swim platform on it...and the most flotation I can get. I like the Hermcon fiberglass bracket......side question...are these always bolted on or has anyone actually epoxied one on in addition to the bolts???? Are there any estimates for the amount of flotation provided by the various brackets??

strick · #2 10-06-2006, 12:43 AM

I see no reason why you would want to epoxy the bracket. 5200 is hard enough to get off. I know a guy who made a fiberglass bracket and bolted twin mercs on to it. Before bolting the bracket to the boat they put down a liberal supply of 5200 and bolted it to the transom. After the first sea trial it was decided that they needed to change the height of the bracket. After taking out the bolts try as they might they could not get the bracket off. Next they chained the engines to the boat and took the boat back to sea (without the bolts) hoping that the bouncing around would loosen the bracket...guess what... it still would not budge. Make a long story short they ended up ripping off a layer of glass along with the bracket to get it off. I dont know if you have ever tried to remove something even as simple as a fairing block attached to a hull with 5200... pry bars/air chisles/hammers/and multiple machine gun curse words are neccessary to be successful. As far as flotation goes.... I think the potter bracket for twins is rated at 800 pounds of flotation. Someone else would know this better then I.

strick

1bayouboy · #3 10-06-2006, 11:24 AM

Thanks strict....the epoxy question was curiosity as much as anything......I have some experience with the "white death"......

Snookerd · #4 10-06-2006, 03:12 PM

Strick- you right for the flotation, I recall it being 865 lbs. flotation. BayouBoy-I have a twin Armstrong Bracket without a swim ladder adapter also. It is very clear that these boats handle twins on a Seamark/Potter(Hermco Installs and sells) Bracket best beacause it has the best flotation. The floatation chamber caries its space all the way down to just above the drain plug versus mine that stops way short. I've got my Potter bracket on a 4 yr Christmas list. You have more weight forward, but I agree about getting the best bracket.

Snookerd · #5 10-06-2006, 03:24 PM

I think the drain plug is extended thru the bracket? Hermco-Isn't that the deal?

hermco · #6 10-06-2006, 03:48 PM

The bracket keel is above the existing hull drain plug.

pic

1bayouboy · #7 10-06-2006, 04:11 PM

Thanks for the info.....and nice picture Hermco....I really like the twin 150 E-tecs....with 800+ lbs of flotation I think I'll save my beer money a couple weeks and get the seamark bracket. I like the idea of it being fiberglass anyway...my short list for power is twin 150 Optis, twin 140 or 150 zukes (ahead on price), twin yam HPDIs, or the twin 150 E-tecs....

Snookerd · #8 10-06-2006, 04:34 PM

Thanks Don! Do you have a couple good photo shots of the twin bracket on a SC23 in the water? I remember that you said something about a guy hauling out to the islands on an old Mako with the twin bracket before you could get all the photos, he just paid and cruised, right? Any Potter sightings? It's Friday, isn't it beer thirty yet?