Strick, Don:Im going to build my own bracket, help

jaw1970 · #1 03-21-2009, 09:53 PM

I've been inspired by Strick and Don's (Hermco) as well as others work and have decided to build my own motor bracket with a combination of marine grade plywood, foam, fiberglass, and stainless. I have confidence in my woodworking and fiberglassing skills, but need help on dimensions. Any help would be greatly appreciated. The boat is a 24' Searay, and I have two 225hp Mercury's to mount.

hermco · #2 03-22-2009, 08:33 AM

You should not use any plywood or stainless in your bracket.

jaw1970 · #3 03-22-2009, 10:30 AM

no, plywood or stainless...why, strength, weight,
any advice is appreciated

Bigshrimpin · #4 03-22-2009, 10:55 AM

Bigshrimpin · #5 03-22-2009, 11:05 AM

The inside of the bracket is always damp. There is no ventilation at all. Plywood will eventually aborb water, so do not rely on it's structural properties (and cheap out with a few layers of glass) to support twin v6 outboards. I think this is what hermco is saying. Not to sway your decision, but it's a LOT of work to build one of these. You could easily get a part-time job at walmart and have $2500 for hermco's bracket . . . . well before you complete this project. Not to mention that you'll have a superior product in the end. Only do it b/c you want the satisfaction of building one yourself . . . it's a great learning experience, but you'll be upside down even if value your time below minimum wage.

jaw1970 · #6 03-22-2009, 11:19 AM

Jobs are hard to come by these days, even at Wal Mart I imagine. Seriously though, thank you for the advise, but I really enjoy this kind of work. It looks like you used plywood in yours. Did you build a plywood "box" and cover it with layers of glass or did you build it in a mold/

hermco · #7 03-22-2009, 11:18 AM

No plywood because it will rot, no stainless because I do not know where it would be required. There is also the weight issue. The less it weighs the more floatation you will get. A high density poly core for the transom would be the best and a 4-6 lb. density core for the undersides of the deck would work.

jaw1970 · #8 03-22-2009, 11:29 AM

Quote:

No plywood because it will rot, no stainless because I do not know where it would be required. There is also the weight issue. The less it weighs the more floatation you will get. A high density poly core for the transom would be the best and a 4-6 lb. density core for the undersides of the deck would work.

thanks Don, when you say for the transom, are you talking about the transom of the bracket or at the transom of the boat? How thick would you go for the sides, bottom and front (end bolted to transom of boat)?

hermco · #9 03-22-2009, 11:51 AM

Unfortunately I cannot help you with the specifics of building a bracket due to the fact that I am in the business of building and selling fiberglass outboard brackets. There are several guys on this forum who have built their own that you can check out. I do think that if you are going to go thru the effort of designing,making a mold, and building your own you would be well served to use poly cores instead of plywood. The extra cost will be well worth it down the line.

strick · #10 03-23-2009, 11:23 PM

Sorry I have not replied sooner. I have been really busy and want to help but have not the time to get into all the specifics of diagrams.

Tim and Don have provided some good advice. Have you made anything out of fiberglass before? If not I'd suggest getting a little practice in before you tackle a bracket. The molds are fairly simple however the design and structural integrity are very important.

If you like tinkering around and time on the water is not a factor then go ahead and make a bracket. Make sure you take it out a bunch of times before you put the wife and kids on it

PM me and I will give you some measurements...just give me a couple days to respond as I'm not on the computer that much these days.

strick